NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM

Australian Science, Australia's Future: Science 2035

We are in the midst of unprecedented global change. Geopolitical uncertainty has become the norm, while technology is accelerating at a pace not seen since the Industrial Revolution, leading to both opportunities and job insecurity. Productivity is slowing, the population is ageing, science and maths participation in schools is declining, and our economy lacks diversity, relying on too few industries to be resilient to shocks.  Australians require a science and technology uplift to prosper in this future – both in terms of skills and capability.

Do we have the national science capability we need to rise to this challenge?

The Australian Academy of Science 2025 national symposium will unpack this question.

There has never been a national effort to systematically assess Australia’s science capability against its future needs, until now. The Academy will launch one of the most ambitious policy efforts in our history: Australian Science, Australia’s Future: Science 2035.

This symposium is essential for industry leaders looking for in depth analysis to inform their future directions, for science and policy leaders tasked with shaping the Australian science and education landscapes.

Date: Thursday 4 September 2025
Time: 9.00am – 4.30pm
Venue: Shine Dome, 15 Gordon Street, Acton ACT 2601, and online

Registration

Registrations to attend the symposium are now open. 

In-person attendance: $150

Online attendance: free


Program

The program will be updated as speaker information is announced. 


Symposium Speakers and Panel Members

- Professor Ian Chubb AC FAA FTSE
   Convenor of Australian Science, Australia’s Future: Science 2035

- Tony Cook PSM
   Secretary, Department of Education 

- Professor Kate Darian-Smith FASSA
   President, Academy of Social Sciences in Australia 

- Robyn Denholm
   Chair, Strategic Examination of Research and Development 

- Professor Susan Dodds FAHA
   Deputy Chair, Australian Research Council 

- Professor Mark Ferguson
   Chair, European Innovation Council, former Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland 

- Professor Stephen Garton AM FAHA FASSA
   President, Australian Academy of the Humanities 

- Professor Barney Glover AO FTSE
   Commissioner, Jobs and Skills Australia 

- Rosemary Huxtable AO PSM
   Lead, National Health and Medical Research Strategy 

- Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC PresAA FRS FREng FTSE
   President, Australian Academy of Science  

- Meghan Quinn PSM
   Secretary, Department of Industry, Science and Resources 

- Professor Lynette Russell AM
   Monash Indigenous Studies Centre, Monash University 

- Professor Peter Shergold AC FASSA
   Chair, Australian Research Council 

- Dr Hayley Teasdale
   Head Science Policy and Advice, Australian Academy of Science 

- Martijn Wilder AM
   Chair, National Reconstruction Fund 

Symposium Convenor

Professor Ian Chubb
AC FAA FTSE

Chair and Convenor


Science at the Shine Dome 2025
Shine Dome, 15 Gordon St, Acton ACT
E: events@science.org.au
#ShineDome25