FROM THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF AUSTRALIA

In these extraordinary times, I hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe wherever you’re experiencing the isolation brought on by COVID-19. At the time of going to print, we are taking the first steps towards reopening as a society and somewhat nervously anticipating what that means for the future.

Having only recently started as CEO of the Royal Institution of Australia, I’ve been inordinately proud of how our small team has risen to the personal and professional challenges brought about by current circumstances, including this edition of Cosmos, which “pivoted” mid-production… the carefully planned stories regarding the science surrounding the now-deferred Tokyo Olympics are filed for a future issue. Our organisation is a charity that exists to contribute to a better, smarter world by making science accessible and compelling to people of all ages. Never has there been a more important time to be able to source true and reliable information and I urge you to continue supporting us – by recommending Cosmos, or simply by including Royal Institution resources in your reading choices.

We’ve been able to adapt to ensure we bring the latest scientific news and views to the community. Our Education resources have been in heavy demand as teachers and parents coped with home-based schooling; the 2020 SCINEMA Festival – the Southern Hemisphere’s largest science film festival – has moved to an online model (make your own choc-tops!); our newsfeeds are daily curated for relevance and accuracy; and as ever Cosmos feeds the mind.

We will continue to adapt to the everchanging circumstances to stay true to our purpose, and we thank you for staying with us.

NOELENE BUDDLE, CEO