Executive Dean’s Message - March 2024

Dear colleagues,

The upcoming Easter weekend and mid-semester break are welcome after a big start to 2024, including a busy schedule of teaching and research activities, and several challenges including the recent fire on the Gatton campus. Thanks to all staff for their contribution to and custodianship of our amazing faculty and university and I hope that you have a relaxing and enjoyable break over the next few days or weeks.

Congratulations

A huge congratulations to the winners of the Faculty of Science Staff Awards, which were announced at a lovely celebration at Women's College last week:

• Future Superstar Award (Undergraduate) – Tiarna McElligott (BAdvSci(Hons))
• Future Superstar Award (Honours/Postgraduate) – Yi Tak (Judith) Ip (SENV)
• Future Superstar Award (HDR) – Timothy Hirsch (SMP)
• Rising Star Award (Academic A to C) – Christina Zdenek (SENV)
• Rising Star Award (Professional HEW 4 to 6) – Yukie Tamura (SENV)
• Leadership and Mentoring Award (Academic C+ and HEW 7+) – Brenda Tournier (Science)
• UQ Values Award – Lois Eden (SENV)
• Award for Excellence (Individual) – Michael Bulmer (SMP)
• Award for Excellence (Team) – International Recruitment Team (Science)

Congratulations also to all of the nominees and finalists. Citations outlining the achievements of our winners will be uploaded onto the same website soon.

Congratulations to April Reside and Karen Cheney from the School of the Environment, who have received more than $110,000 through the Queensland Government’s Threatened Species Program to help protect some of our state’s vulnerable species.

Events

The Queensland Museum once again hosted the World Science Festival, delivering on its mission to create authentic and compelling experiences and stories that inspire, enrich and empower the general public and school-age students. Brisbane events took place from 15-24 March and there will be more opportunities to engage from May to August across a range of regional locations. I enjoyed attending the panel discussion entitled: ‘Biotech: Transforming the Future of Medicine’ last Saturday. It was hosted by Norman Swan and included a tour-de-force of experts, including Avril Robertson (SCMB, Faculty of Science) who spoke eloquently about research commercialisation based on her extensive experience.

Thanks to everyone who attended the Promotions Information Seminar in St Lucia and online via Zoom on Tuesday this week and for participating in a great Q&A session. For Gatton colleagues, I will be available for Q&A from 9:00 to 9:30 AM on Tuesday 30 April at the seating area near the Coffee Pod. Please register your interest by emailing science.ea@uq.edu.au. The slides and a recording of Tuesday’s presentation are available via your local HR representative.

On Thursday 21 March, the wonderful Gurion Ang (SENV) led a Secondary Science and Mathematics Leaders Forum, which brought science and engineering leaders from UQ together with science and mathematics leaders from across the SE QLD senior education sector. This was a fantastic opportunity for us to engage directly with those shepherding our future students and discuss strategies to address the declining participation rates in science and mathematics. Thanks to everyone who made this event possible.

I have also had the pleasure of attending the recent Universities Australia Solutions Summit Conference 2024. The theme of the conference was ‘Harnessing universities for national priorities’ with a huge focus on the outcomes of the Australian Universities Accord recommendations. Highlights included the below presentations and panel discussions. I recommend watching the associated videos:

• Keynote address by The Right Hon Baroness Valerie Amos
• Australia’s energy transition by Dr Alan Finkel
• A student’s perspective by Ms Tayla Roberts
• Eliminating Equity Gaps by Dr Timothy Renick

News

As you may be aware, the Bachelor of Science program is undergoing an Academic Program Review this year. Your feedback is essential to ensuring the continued success and improvements of this flagship program. Please register here for one or more of the upcoming town hall meetings, where we will gather feedback on a range of critical issues to inform the direction of the review.

Following the release of the 2024 UQ Plan on a Page and in consultation with our schools, the faculty executive has approved Science’s 2024 Annual Plan. Please take a look as it captures a wonderful range of exciting projects and priorities happening across the faculty, along with opportunities for you to contribute your expertise or collaborate with others to achieve great outcomes.

I am pleased to report that the Faculty of Science has established a Reconciliation Action Plan (FoSRAP) Committee. I am also pleased to announce that Sagadevan Mundree, Head of the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, has been appointed as the inaugural chair of the FoSRAP committee. We are currently in the process of recruiting a Senior Manager, Indigenous Engagement who will work in partnership with the committee, Schools, and the Office of the DVC Indigenous Engagement to facilitate and enhance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation, engagement strategies and action plans across the Faculty of Science.

I am also pleased to announce that Avril Robertson, Deputy Executive Dean and Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Science, has been appointed as the new chair of the Faculty of Science Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) committee, following Amber Friebe’s departure. As Chair of the Faculty EDI committee, Avril will lead the implementation of the University’s commitment to developing and maintaining an equitable, diverse, and inclusive culture for all staff and students.

Friday 8 March was International Women’s Day and Monday 3 March kicked off Queensland Women’s Week. I hope you all had the opportunity to engage in one or more of the many events held. The Office for Women released the Annual Queensland Women's Statement 2024 and the 2023 Gender Equality Report Cards highlight the ongoing achievements and implementation of the 47 commitments outlined in the Queensland Women’s Strategy 2022-27.

Opportunities

Nominations for the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) awards are now open. Information sessions will be held in March and April and the submission deadline of Wednesday May 15.

Nominations are also open for the David Syme Research Prize which rewards the best original research in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, or Geology produced in Australia during the two years preceding the closing date for applications which is Tuesday April 30.

The Australian Academy of Science is also seeking nominations for potential AAS Fellows from diverse backgrounds. Further information on the nomination process can be found on the AAS website.

And finally, expressions of interest (EOIs) are welcomed for the following UQ Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Learning:

• Awards for Teaching Excellence (ATE)
• Early Career Awards for Teaching Excellence (EC-ATE)
• Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning (APEL)
• Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning: Individuals and Teams (COCSL)
• Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning: Tutors (COCSL-T)
• Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Learning: Learning Design and Advisory (LDA-COCL).

More information about the award categories as well as changes for 2024 can be found on the awards, grants and fellowships website. EOIs are due 5pm Monday 29 April 2024.

Kind regards,

Professor Melissa Brown
Executive Dean - Faculty of Science