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Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

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    15th Jul 2024
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    Science and Research

    South Australia’s Chief Scientist: People are at the heart of science

    Right now, we’re at a pivotal moment in history. The decisions we make and the directions we take now are shaping not only our future, but the future of the planet itself, so there’s a lot resting on the shoulders of governments, industry and research institutions.

    Challenges and opportunities abound – AUKUS, climate change and the transition to clean energy, the new Adelaide University, and the increasingly urgent need for more people with science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) qualifications.

    At the same time, frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence are disrupting and revolutionising industries across the world.

    These ever-changing global conditions are both confronting and exciting. We have much work to do.

    But the common thread running through all these challenges and opportunities is the need for people. We can’t solve problems without people. We can’t harness new technologies or create solutions without people. We can’t save our planet without people.

    And so my driving force, as Chief Scientist for South Australia, is to hold the door open for people from all walks of life to see their future in science, to pursue a future in science, and to be part of the future of science.

    SIMMONS Wetland Rock Photo 2crop EXTRA LR

    My own journey to becoming South Australia’s Chief Scientist was anything but straightforward.

    My ancestors on my father’s side were domestic staff, farmers, butchers and tradies, while my mother came to Adelaide from Egypt in 1963. Not only was I the first in my family to go to university – studying electrical engineering and physics at the University of Adelaide before completing my PhD in groundwater at CSIRO – it was never a given that I would even finish school.

    I became a lecturer at Flinders University at a time where there was not even a single groundwater topic, and went on to help establish the Australian Research Council’s National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training.

    This is my story, but it’s also the story of so many high achieving South Australians from diverse backgrounds and cultures – everyday people who were given the opportunity, through education and hard work, to do extraordinary things.

    As we stand on the threshold of energy, climate and health revolutions, one of our greatest challenges here in South Australia is to ensure we are building a pipeline of science and research talent to not only be part of these revolutions, but to be at the forefront of them.

    Science takes a village. Now is the time for innovators, researchers, academics, government and communities to work together to build a brighter future.

    I see my role as Chief Scientist as bringing these groups together, facilitating ideas, driving innovation in STEMM education and training, drawing focus to great work, and above all, keeping science visible, relevant and engaging.

    South Australia has a proud scientific tradition.

    The depth and breadth of scientific excellence in South Australia continues to amaze me.

    This year’s South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Awards finalists are once again proof of this.

    They show not only the vibrant state of our science, but the positive development of the ‘STEMM production pipeline’.

    Our finalists would not be here without great school teachers, ambitious and collegiate colleagues, and investment from both the private and public sectors.

    As a former Scientist of the Year myself, I know the value of these awards, and about showing what’s possible in SA.

    I am committed to collaborating across sectors and using our humanity to make our STEMM more visible, our explanations and communications more helpful, our ideas more accessible, and STEMM more real for the largest possible number of people. It’s my goal to have more people than ever able to see themselves in STEMM.

    Professor Craig Simmons is the Chief Scientist for South Australia and Pro Vice-Chancellor, College of Engineering, Science and Environment at the University of Newcastle.

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