Events

Events from 2015

Investiture of Prof Ray Specht

16 December 2015

Speaker: Special Meeting – Non-members welcome

Location: EcoSciences Precinct, Boggo Road, Dutton Park. 12.00 noon for 12.30 until 1.45 pm

  • Investiture of Prof Ray Specht with Honorary Life Membership
  • Launch of Proceedings 120
  • Preview of new website

 


STEM EDUCATION BRAINSTORM 28 JULY 2015

28 July 2015

Chaired by Ms Lauren Stephenson, Director, Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist on behalf of Dr Geoff Garrett AO Queensland’s Chief Scientist and Dr Geoff Edwards President, Royal Society of Queensland.

The Royal Society of Queensland is keen to promote high quality education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  In this quest, we have formed a collaboration with the Queensland Chief Scientist and the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (Queensland Division). We invited those identified as Queensland-based project leaders and some other opinion leaders to join in a non-political workshop to present the findings of their own STEM activity or experience; and to discuss the implications for STEM education generally in Queensland.

We have been delighted to have the support of Education Queensland and the Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology.

The event was conceived after reviewing a mapping exercise conducted by the Office of Queensland’s Chief Scientist and then considering how the experience of the project leaders might be captured and disseminated. The website of the Office of Chief Scientist references a wide range of STEM activities and resources, including the list of mapped projects.

Here is a compilation of two-page summaries submitted by attendees; and here is a compilation of powerpoint presentations delivered on the day.  The minutes and list of action items is also now available.


Society General Meeting

10 July 2015

Speaker: Member Gary Hopewell M.Sc.
Principal Scientist

The guided tour of the Salisbury Forestry Research Facility included a most worthwhile presentation on the history and use of the Queensland xylaria – the only collections currently in use in Australia.  All other collections have been archived or de-staffed or lost.  Principal Scientist Gary Hopewell has supplied a copy of his powerpoint presentation on Queensland’s xylaria.


Community Infrastructure Forum: Not just concrete & cranes

24 June 2015

Speaker: Various

Location: Kindler Theatre, Queensland University of Technology. 8.30am-1.00pm

Program

Rationale for the event and Preliminary program as advertised.
Also see Flyer as advertised.  Also see Geoff Edwards’ explanation of the background to the event.

Speaker bios and Program as delivered.

Speaker presentations

Summary:  Summary of the presentations.

Dr Adrian Volders The Economic Value of Green.

Simon Warner Case Studies of Creating Value from Natural Assets.

Prof. John Quiggin Budgeting for Infrastructure: The Use and Misuse of Accounting.

Dr Scott Elaurant & Jennie Louise Politics, Finance and Transport Megaprojects in Australia – a substantive narrative paper; and powerpoint presentation.

Wally Wight Peak Oil or Peak Investment: What does it mean for energy security

John Rush – Closing entertainment The Infrastructure Song.

Background Papers not presented on the day

Politics, funding and transport – Reform needed.  Dr Scott Elaurant & William McDougall: Politics, Funding and Transport – The Need for Systematic Reform.  Paper presented at the 2014 national conference of the Australian Institute of Traffic Planning and Management.

National public research infrastructure prepares for shutdown.  National Research Alliance: Open letter to the Prime Minister, 5 March 2015.

Cranes need solid ground.  Dr Geoff Edwards: Hard infrastructure depends upon soft and green forms.  Paper published in King’s Counsel Spring 2013.  Re-published here by kind permission of King & Co.