"Future WA" - science & research leading WA to future industries & tech

RSWA is WA's premier science and research society, and holds symposiums for the public and science community to hear from and meet prominent WA scientists and the work they are doing. www.rswa.org.au

This first Symposium for 2024 is Part 1 in a series that showcases current WA science and research that can lead to future WA technology & industry diversification, building on our state's unique advantages - it is an opportunity to hear first-hand about research being done right here in WA that could lead to exciting futures for Western Australians in an ever-changing world.

'Part 1' will focus on space and radio astronomy, super and quantum computing and the future opportunities offered by WA's unique flora & landscape - and finish with a deep look at who our future WA scientists and researchers could be.

Program

• - 9am Welcome to Country; Opening: Caitlin Collins MLA (Member for Hillarys, representing the Minister for Innovation, Hon Simon Dawson MLC)
• Vivienne Hansen - 'Indigenous Noongar knowledge on bush food and medicine in the future of WA'
• Prof. Simon Ellingsen (Executive Director, International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research) - 'WA - a State Thriving in the Space Age
• Prof. Cathryn Trott (Deputy Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D, ICRAR Curtin) - 'The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and what it means for humanity's future understanding of our Universe' (Dr Sarah Pearce (SKA Low Telescope Director, SKA Observatory) will also be in attendance).
• - 11am morning tea -
• Prof. Phil Bland (Curtin University School of Earth and Planetary Sciences) - 'Advanced spacecraft platforms supporting future WA missions'
• Assoc. Prof. Sascha Schediwy (ICRAR, UWA) - 'TeraNet: Developing the next-generation of laser-powered, space communication networks in Western Australia'
• - 12.30pm lunch -
• Mark Stickells AM (Pawsey Supercomputing Centre) - 'Accelerating Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing (HPC to Quantum)'
• Prof. Jingbo Wang (Director, Centre for Quantum Information, Simulation and Algorithm, UWA) - 'The era of quantum computing is coming - and here are the opportunities for WA'
• Prof. Harvey Millar (ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space and International Space Centre, UWA) - 'Developing a role for WA plant & agricultural sciences in Moon to Mars space exploration 2025-2050'
• - 3pm afternoon tea
• Digby Growns (Senior Plant Breeder, Kings Park & Botanic Garden) - 'Developing WA's native flora – resilient plants and resilient landscapes' [Kings Park's 'plant breeding for export']
• Malcolm French (Eucalypts WA) - 'Eucalypts - Enhancing Perth’s & the Regions tree canopy, and new discoveries'
• Dr Kathryn Ross (Founder of IncludeHer) - 'Balancing the equation: The importance of gender analysis in a future of scientific innovation'
• - 5pm close