Science in the spotlight
Tall Poppy Awards 2020
In 2020 science found itself thrust into the spotlight. Around the world there was a collective call for scientists to save lives and to save our way of life. Politicians ceded podiums to their scientific advisors, scientists sat at the decision-making tables of nations, they were invoked as heroes and reviled as economic saboteurs.
The Australian Institute of Policy and Science would like to take a moment to congratulate all of those scientists – in Australia and around the world – that worked through adversity to not only support COVID research but to keep the wheels of the global science system moving.
One thing has become clear, that effective communication of science has been the bedrock of successful responses to the virus, showing the word what a critical and nuanced skill Scicomm is.
For over 20 years, the Tall Poppy Awards have been recognising science and science communication excellence here in Australia.
In 2020 we received 260 applications, across each state and territory, and 60 Young Tall Poppy Awards were presented. Research interests ranged across climate science, astronomy, cancer therapy, the health impacts of bushfire smoke, sewage surveillance for COVID-19, and emerging problems of antibiotic resistance.
Of the 60 winners in 2020, 35% of the Young Tall Poppies were male and 65% female. We were also very pleased to be able to make an award this year in the Northern Territory after a two-year absence.
Running award events in every state and territory this year proved challenging and several of our award ceremonies were conducted online and most others were slightly reduced in scale. However, the interest, passion and commitment of all the awardees continues to surprise and impress the selection panels and every ceremony was an exciting opportunity to showcase these current and future science leaders.
None of this would be possible without the continuing support of our university and corporate partners, and particular acknowledgement is made of the continuing support across the country of University research departments.
Once again, congratulations to all of the 2020 Young Tall Poppies!