Released 25/07/2017
Nominations are now open for the 2016 ACT Scientist of the Year. This is the second year of the award which aims to promote the achievements and excellence of scientific endeavour in the ACT.
The ACT Government is an active supporter of the ACT’s knowledge economy as a key driver of employment and economic activity. This award is part of the ACT Government’s commitment to ensuring our city is attracting and retaining the brightest minds in the country.
The 2015 ACT Scientist of the Year, Dr Colin Jackson has also encouraged our up and coming scientists to submit their nominations before 14 June.
Dr Jackson is a fantastic representation of the many hardworking scientists who are working to solve real-world problems and often producing world-leading research. He has significantly contributed to the ACT’s knowledge economy, bringing in more than $5m in research funding and growing his laboratory at the Research School of Chemistry in the Australian National University.
The ACT Scientist of the Year focuses on up and coming scientists in the early stages of their career. To be eligible they need to have completed their PhD in the last 10 years and be working here in the ACT in basic or applied research in any field of science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
The selection panel will again be headed up by former Chief Scientist for Australia Professor Ian Chubb AC and will include representatives from all the major scientific tertiary institutions in Canberra.
The ACT Scientist of the Year also has a key role in inspiring young people to consider careers in science and general scientific awareness in the community. Among other activities, Dr Jackson has been involved in school activities, the National Youth Science Forum and will present his research as part of the Pint of Science at King O’Malleys Pub on 23 May.
I am proud the ACT Government is supporting outstanding scientific achievement here in the nation’s capital and I encourage our city’s talented scientists to nominate their colleagues or themselves for this award.
Nominations guidelines can be found and http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/communication/scientistofyear and nominations can be completed online.
The 2016 ACT Scientist of the Year will be announced during National Science Week in August.
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Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases