Corporate Body

Australian Academy of Science (1954 - )

From
1954
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Functions
Association and Society or membership organisation
Alternative Names
  • AAS (Abbreviation)
Website
https://www.science.org.au/
Location
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Summary

Founded by a Royal Charter in 1954, the Australian Academy of Science is Australia's national body for "promoting, declaring and disseminating scientific knowledge".

The Academy took over most of the functions previously managed by the Australian National Research Council (1919 - 1955)

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Details

On the occasion of the presentation of the Royal Charter, to the Officers and Council-elect of the Australian Academy of Science by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, on 16 February 1954, it was noted that it was the first time in nearly 200 years that the Sovereign had founded a scientific society, the only previous occasion being the foundation by Charles II of The Royal Society.

Academy National Committees for Science bring together experts, both Fellows and non-Fellows, from across scientific fields to offer leadership and advice that shape and provide direction to scientific disciplines in Australia. The Committees also serve as a strategic link between Australian and overseas scientists in the same field, and to assist in ensuring Australia is represented in international scientific organisations.When the Academy was established in 1954, the ten National Committees of its predecessor, the Australian National Research Council, became those of the Academy. Over time, as scientific research and policy needs changed, so did the Committees. At January 2025 there were 18 Committees: Agriculture and Food; Antarctic Research; Astronomy; Brain and Mind; Chemistry; Crystallographjy; data Science; Earth Sciences; Earth System Science; Ecology, Evolutuion and Conservation; Geological Sciences; History and Philosophy of Science; Information and Communication Sciences; Materials Science and Engineering; Mathematical Sciences; Nutrition; Physics; and Space Science.

Timeline

 1919 - 1955 Australian National Research Council (ANRC)
       1954 - Australian Academy of Science

Related Awards

Related Events

Related People

Archival resources

Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science

  • Australian Academy of Science - Records, 1935 - 2007, MS 039; Adolph Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science. Details

National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection

  • Papers of Graeme M. Clark, 1944-2012 [manuscript], 1944 - 2012, MS 8696; National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection. Details

The University of Melbourne Archives

  • Department of Otolaryngology - Bionic Ear Records, 1949 - 2000, 2004.0043 at U77/46-55; The University of Melbourne Archives. Details

Published resources

Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Exhibitions

Books

  • Australian Academy of Science, Handbook (Canberra: Australian Academy of Science, 1982), 89 pp. Details
  • Roberts, Alan, A Big, Bold, Simple Concept: a History of the Australian Academy of Science Dome (Canberra: Australian Academy of Science, 2010), 208 pp. Details

Edited Books

  • Fenner, Frank ed., The First Twenty-five Years; the Australian Academy of Science [1954-1979] (Canberra: The Academy, 1980), 286 pp. Details
  • Fenner, Frank ed., The first forty years (Canberra: Australian Academy of Science, 1995), 503 pp. Details
  • Fenner, Frank ed., The First Fifty Years (Canberra: Australian Academy of Science, 2005), 549 pp. Details

Journal Articles

  • 'The Australian Academy of Science', Australian Journal of Science, 16 (6), 212-213. Details
  • Anon, 'Brian and Dianne Anderson establish new medal for Information and Communications Technology', Newsletter, Australian Academy of Science, 188 (2024), https://www.science.org.au/news-and-events/news-and-media-releases/brian-and-dianne-anderson-establish-new-medal-for-information-and-communications-technology. Details
  • Dircks, R., 'The Contribution of the Australian Academy of Science to Science Education in Australia', Australian Science Teachers Journal, 34 (2) (1988), 84-88. Details
  • Fenner, Frank, 'Scientific Societies in Australia. The Australian Academy of Science', The Royal Australian Chemical Institute Proceedings, 27 (July) (1960), 289-294. Details
  • Fenner, Frank, 'The Australian Academy of Science: the First 50 Years', Notes and Records of the Royal Society, 62 (2008), 321-30. Details
  • Martyn, D. F., 'The Australian Academy of Science', Australian Journal of Science, 16 (4) (1954), 121-122. Details
  • Moyal, Ann Mozley, 'The Australian Academy of Science: the anatomy of a scientific elite: Parts 1-2', Search, 11 (September) (1980), 281-288. Details
  • Robin, Libby, 'Nature conservation as a national concern: the role of the Australian Academy of Science', Historical records of Australian Science, 10 (1) (1994), 1-24, https://doi.org/10.1071/HR9941010001. Details
  • Slattery, Deidre, 'Science and land use: the Koscuisko Primitive Area dispute of 1958 - 1965', Environment and history, 16 (2010), 409-30. https://doi.org/10.3197/096734010X531470. Details

Resources

Resource Sections

See also

Ailie Smith; Ken McInnes

Created: 16 March 2000, Last modified: 31 January 2025

EOAS ID: biogs/A000200b.htm

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