Welcome to FASTS. This year FASTS celebrates 25 years of science advocacy in Australia
FASTS is the peak body for science and technology in Australia. We represent the interests of some 60,000 Australian scientists and technologists. FASTS works to influence science and technology policy for the economic, environmental and social benefit of Australia. What's New Science meets Parliament
Bringing Australia’s scientific community to the heart of government
Scientists from across the country will arrive in Canberra on 9 & 10 March to participate in the 11th annual Science meets Parliament.
160 women and men working across all scientific disciplines will meet face-to-face with Ministers, Members and Senators; interact with key figures in the scientific community; participate in professional development activities; and participate in a range of forums.
Download the Program and Media release here
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Tuesday 9 March
Meet the Press - a day in the life of a journalist- what they need to turn your science into news.
MC: Niall Byrne, Science in Public
Presentations from:
• Alison Carabine, ABC Radio National Presenter
• James Massola, Canberra Times Political Reporter
• Mark Riley, Channel 7 Reporter Policy in the making. Working with Government Departments
• Participants will be directly involved in shaping the Federal Governement's Research Workforce Strategy
Gala Dinner in the Great Hall (Parliament House) – hosted by Robyn Williams AM  Keynote address : Mr Peter Yates, Chair – Australian Science Media Centre and the Royal Institution of Australia
Wednesday 10 March Breakfast Briefing 1: International Year of Biodiversity: So what’s biodiversity done for me? Why biodiversity matters: the economic, social and environmental perspectives. Welcome by the Hon Peter Garrett, Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts; and facilitated by Tom Arup, Journalist, The Age.
Breakfast Briefing 2: Open access: Australian research for whom? Nationally televised Nation Press Club Lunchtime Address 
Chris Mooney, author of The Republican War on Science and Unscientific America is flying in from the USA to address SmP delegates at the National Press Club. Public Forum – hosted by Dr Norman Swan, ABC Radio National
Innovative health solutions using nuclear techniques – why isn’t Australia keeping up with the world? Panel: _______________________________
FASTS response to the release of the Inspiring Australia Report (8 February 2010) The Inspiring Australia Report proposes a National Strategy for public engagement in science download FASTS media release
_______________________________ FASTS announces new President and new Board Members Dr Cathy Foley, an Australian leader in Applied Physics, commenced her two-year term as President at the FASTS AGM on 24 November, the third woman to be elected to this role in FASTS 24 year history. Dr Foley was recently awarded the National Telstra Women’s Business Award fro Innovation and has been appointed to the Questacon Advisory Board. Dr Foley’s brief biography is available here .
FASTS had been further strengthened with the election of several new executive members:
• Vice-President: Professor Bob Watts • Treasurer: Mr Claude Gauchat• Early Career Scientist: Dr Lisa Alleva• General Member: Professor Michael Holland________________________________
Statement by FASTS Great Barrier Reef Climate Change Alliance on the impact of climate change on the GBR and implication for emissions reduction targets (17 November 2009)
download Alliance's statement
download media release
download audio recording of National Media Briefing
download FASTS climate change position statement
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Discussion note: Ken Baldwin, When is Science Valid: A Short Guide on How Science Works and When to Believe It (October 2009) A brief outline of how scientific ideas are tested and validated download paper This paper was recently cited by Margo O’Neill from ABC’s Lateline: “Conspiracies and the IPCC”:
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FASTS Report: Women in Science in Australia: Maximising Productivity, Diversity and Innovation by Sharon Bell (19 October) This new report shows the progress of women in senior positions has stalled over the past 15 years despite encouraging improvements in participation at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. There are strong arguments for renewed focus on women in science in terms of productivity, innovation and social equity. download report or download media release
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