Marles highlights the need for more rock science stars
By Industry Queensland
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles used a Parliamentary Friends of Science event centred on critical minerals this week to champion the role of geoscientists.
“Science is at the heart of everything and nothing gets done without nerds,” Mr Marles told the Australian Academy of Science-sponsored event.
” … But just as there is a challenge about getting more people to study science generally, as it turns out, there is a particular challenge to get more people to study geology.
“But let me leave you with this. The only professional scientist to walk on the moon: Jack Schmitt – geologist. Our most famous Antarctic explorer, the person who adorns the hundred-dollar note: Douglas Mawson – a geologist.
“And so, in a world which celebrates rock stars, the only thing better is a rock scientist.”
The Australian Academy of Science has completed significant work mapping the scientific capability needed to meet national ambitions and identify the gaps.
Its report projects capability gaps in eight key science areas that will be most in demand by 2035: agricultural science, AI, biotechnology, climate science, data science, epidemiology, geoscience, and materials science.
A key finding of the Australian Science, Australia’s Future: Science 2035 report, released last year, was that Australia was not training enough geoscientists -– yet its economy rests heavily on resources, and critical minerals are a priority of the National Reconstruction Fund.
Green thumb: No trends decreasing. No gap or unlikely to have a gap in capability.
Amber thumb: Some trends decreasing or no majority of increasing trends. Some gap or likely gap in capability.
Red thumb: Most trends decreasing. Existing gap or certain gap in capability.
Question mark: Insufficient data available.
