Two University of Queensland researchers will be building stronger relationships between science, technology and public policy as Science & Technology Australia’s STEM Ambassadors in 2021.
Dr Chelsea Janke, a soil science researcher, and Associate Professor Artem Pulemotov, a mathematician, will be STEM Ambassadors to Mr Bert van Manen, the Member for Forde, and Milton Dick, the Member for Oxley.
They will meet regularly with their respective MPs to build the association between Parliament and the STEM sector, and help politicians gain a deeper understanding of the potential impact of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in Australia.
They are two of 17 new STEM Ambassadors around Australia. The STEM Ambassadors are drawn from Science & Technology Australia’s member organisations and come from a diverse range of academic backgrounds and interests.
The prestigious program - which began in 2019 - aims to encourage the involvement of science experts in Australian policy-making and bring their science expertise and networks to assist evidence-based policy-making.
Science & Technology Australia Chief Executive Officer Misha Schubert congratulated the researchers on being selected for the STEM Ambassador program in 2021.
“Science has been Australia’s salvation in tackling COVID-19. Australia needs to continue to build on that strong relationship between the STEM sector and Parliamentarians to prepare Australia to meet future challenges," she said.
“The STEM Ambassador program empowers experts to become effective advocates for science and the sector, and to use their expertise to inform policy to shape Australia’s future.
“We’re delighted to welcome Dr Janke and Dr Pulemotov to the STEM Ambassador program, and look forward to seeing them develop a strong working relationship with these representatives to make sure science and technology are at the forefront of policy decisions.”
Media: Dominic Jarvis, dominic.jarvis@uq.edu.au, +61 413 334 924.
