Australian Academy of Science
The Australian Academy of Science (AAS) was founded in 1954 by a group of distinguished Australians, including Australian Fellows of the
The objective of the Academy is to promote science. It does so through a range of activities, including recognising outstanding contributions to science by issuing awards, education and public awareness though a variety of media, contributing to the formation of science policy, and creating opportunities for international scientific exchange.
Origins
Australian National Research Council
The Australian National Research Council (ANRC) was established in 1919 for the purpose of representing Australia on the International Research Council. The Council ceased to exist in 1954, replaced by the Australian Academy of Science.
Fellows
The Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science is made up of about 420 Australian scientists. Scientists judged by their peers to have made an exceptional contribution to knowledge in their field may be elected to Fellowship of the Academy. Sixteen new Fellows may be elected every year.
No more than two Fellows may be elected every three years on the basis of distinguished contributions to science by means other than personal research. A small number of distinguished foreign scientists with substantial connections to Australian science are elected as Corresponding Members.
Fellows are often denoted by the letters FAA (Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science) after their name.
Foundation Fellows
When the Academy was founded in 1954 there were 24 members, known as the Foundation Fellows.
| Name | Field |
|---|---|
| Mathematics and geophysics | |
| Virology and immunology; Nobel laureate | |
| Genetics | |
| Mathematics | |
| Parasitology and science administration | |
| Statistics | |
| Neuroscience; Nobel laureate | |
| Geology | |
| Physics | |
| Chemistry | |
| Biochemistry | |
| Biochemistry | |
| Physics | |
| Physics | |
| Geology | |
| Entomology | |
| Physics | |
| Radiophysics and astronomy | |
| Agricultural science | |
| Chemistry | |
| Mathematics | |
| Neuroscience | |
| Zoology | |
| Astronomy |
Presidents
Awards
The following medals are awarded annually:
Other awards include:
The Shine Dome
The Shine Dome (previously known as Becker House) is a well-known Canberra landmark, notable for its unusual structure. It was designed by architect Sir
On 1 December 1956, the Academy's building design committee met in Adelaide to look over plans submitted by six architects. The plan accepted involved a 710 ton reinforced concrete dome, which had to be supported by 16 thin supports. The concrete is approximately 60 cm thick at the base supports, and 10 cm at the top. The dome supports itself, with no internal wall holding it up. It cost 200,000 pounds to build. The
The building was named Becker House, for benefactor and Fellow of the Academy Sir , in 1962. In 2000, it was renamed in honour of Fellow
The interior contains three floors: on the ground level, the main auditorium, the Ian Wark Theatre, seats 156 people, the Jaeger Room for functions and meetings, the Becker Council Meeting Room and offices; the upper level includes a gallery to the theatre and the
Gallery
Other learned Academies
There are three other learned Academies in Australia, those of Humanities (
See also
References
External links
Retrieved from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Academy_of_Science#Foundation_Fellows
