About Science Meets Parliament

‘Science meets Parliament’ (SmP) brings up to 200 scientists from all over the country for face-to-face meetings and forums with Parliamentarians in Canberra. For an entire day, Federal Parliament lives and breathes science in a series of meetings and events which also allow the scientists unparalleled opportunities to witness national decision making at first hand, and to inform this process on important scientific issues.

The aims and objectives of SmP are:

• To provide scientists with a unique professional development opportunity to get  a clear sense of the competing rationalities of science, politics and public policy.
• To stimulate and inform Parliament's discussion of scientific issues that underpin the economic, social and environmental well-being of the nation, and through them enhance the understanding of science through the wider community;
• To establish linkages between scientists, politicians and policy makers which will continue to provide exchanges of information and ideas well beyond the day of the event itself;
• To provide scientists with a broad outlook for opportunities that may require the input of scientific knowledge to further the interests of the nation.

SmP is an annual event that began in 1999 and the approach is now imitated by a number of organisations.

In 2004, the success of SmP was recognised when its founder, Dr Ken Baldwin, was awarded the Australian Government Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science – which is awarded to individuals or groups for outstanding works of science communication.

Sponsors

Over the years Science meets Parliament has received strong support from many sponsors including

• Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (and DEST prior to 2008)
• CSIRO
• Australian Research Council (ARC)
• National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
• Academy of Science (AAS)
• Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE)
• Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
• Australian Technology Network (ATN)
• Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO)
• Group of Eight Universities (Go8)
• Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
• Medicines Australia 
• National Tertiary Education Union
• InnovationXchange
• Australian Computer Society
• Research Australia

Briefing Day

Science meets Parliament takes place over two days. On the first day, FASTS hosts a Briefing Day where scientists discuss policy material and hear from experienced, lobbyists, parliamentary staffers and politicians themselves about how they can engage politicians successfully.

During the course of the first day, the scientists get a feel for the policy-making process in Canberra. They meet leading Parliamentary figures and have an opportunity to question key parliamentary advisors about the best way to make effective use of their time.

Briefing day is unashamedly focused on professional development and the learning experience is regarded by many participants as a major benefit of SmP Day, providing them with knowledge, skills and network linkages that continue to serve them long after the event itself.

Since 2005, the briefing day has concluded with the Science Meets Parliament Dinner in the Great Hall in Parliament House. These have been outstanding success with each dinner attracting over 300 attendees including about 60 Parliamentarians.

The guest speakers at the Parliament House dinners have been:

•    2005 - Dr Caroline Kovac, President of Life Science, IBM (USA).
•    2006 - Professor Ian Fraser, Australian of the Year 2006.
•    2007 - Professor Will Steffen, Director, Institute for Environment and PVC (Research) at ANU 
•    2008 - Professor Neville Nicholls, Lead author, IPCC
•    2009 - Professor Penny Sackett, Chief Scientist for Australia

Day Two: Parliament House

The key event of the second day is the series of well over 100 formal meetings between the scientists and Parliamentarians. Typically 2 – 3 scientists will speak with an individual Parliamentarian. On average these meetings last at least half an hour, although some extend over two hours as the Parliamentarians and scientists generally find they have many useful and exciting matters to discuss.

Many Parliamentarians appreciate the importance of science in general terms, but often not the degree to which science is crucial in so many issues that affect their constituents on an almost daily basis.

Scientists will typically have two or three meetings during the day with Parliamentarians who are matched on the basis of geography or interests.

Forums and other events are becoming a stronger part of the second day:

Results to Date

Following its introduction in 1999, SmP was recognized by Parliament as being so important that both Government and Opposition strongly supported its becoming an annual event. SmP has become a permanent fixture on the national scientific calendar.

The event attracts a large number of scientists, and engages the majority of Parliamentarians:

* since 2005 figures for Parliamentarians have been corrected for last minute cancellations which typically run from 5 - 10

** data for scientists includes participants in forums/workshops at Parliament House as well as those participating in meetings with Parliamentarians.