Nation ‘needs a science strategy’

WHEN the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 in October 1957, the thrill of the space race captured imaginations.

WHEN the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 in October 1957, the thrill of the space race’s first moments captured the imagination of a Melbourne high school science teacher and, more significantly, the heart of one of her students.

For 15-year-old Suzanne Cory, witnessing her teacher’s enthusiasm was a life-changing moment that kickstarted her passion for science.

The same zeal is still evident today as Professor Cory — a globally recognised molecular bio­logist and past president of the Australian Academy of Science — prepares to deliver the first of this year’s Boyer lectures on ­Saturday.

Her topic is “the promise of science” and is marked with emphatic calls for increased research funding, better scientific teaching to capture future scientists, action on climate change and moves to keep female graduates in the sector.

Foremost, though, is her call for the government to adopt a strategy mapping out Australia’s commitment to science and technology through key investments over the next few decades.

“Australia is at a crossroads,” Professor Cory said. “Most advanced nations in the world now have a science and technology investment strategy for their overall prosperity and Australia does not.

“We need this very broad investment plan over many years. We can’t stop and start the funding, we need to have a goal of steady increase like our neighbours in Asia have.”

From her teenage dream of outer space, Professor Cory shifted her focus to molecular ­biology when she became ­“enchanted” with DNA at university. She has worked with leading biologists to uncover some of the genetic secrets of cancer and immunology.

Professor Cory applauds the government’s plan for a $20 billion medical research fund as “nation-building”.

But she backs chief scientist Ian Chubb’s recommendations this week to lift science. “We’ve had enough reviews, we need ­action,” Professor Cory said.

The first of Professor Cory’s lectures will be broadcast on the ABC this Saturday, with an extract published in The Weekend Australian’s Inquirer section.