Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM DistFRSN FAA FTSE, has been requested by the Australian Government to lead a national conversation about the revitalisation of Australia’s Science and Research Priorities over coming months.

The current list of science priorities dates back to 2015 — a time before gravitational waves had been discovered, when claims of quantum advantage were a grail now being fought over by major players like Google and IBM, before COVID and the breakthroughs in mRNA technologies, and before AI chatbots.

The national conversation is intended to identify challenges, strengths, and opportunities that will inform the development of a draft list of priorities for consideration and further consultation during the year.

Society members who may wish to contribute to the discussion may make a submission on the Department of Industry, Science and Resources website. The website indicates that the Government would like to hear about challenges that could be addressed through science, future opportunities, and strengths that Australia should maintain and build upon.  A conversation starter, which sets out the intent and background for the consultation emphasises that the priorities should be community-informed, ambitious and purpose-driven, evidence-based, enduring and responsive, relevant, bounded, and inform investments.