About Inspiring Australia NSW

Inspiring Australia NSW develops influential networks that connect science and engineering researchers to big audiences. In collaboration with hundreds of statewide partners, we create memorable and engaging events and programs to explore current and emerging issues, inspire communities with science and to promote the work of Australian scientific researchers and engineers in finding solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges.

Why do we do this?

Recent events have sparked incredible transformation on many levels, with the global COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 bushfires sparking increased appreciation of scientific research and knowledge, including from First Nations people. Devastating events have created a huge opportunity for the community to get behind our country’s science and technology researchers.

Australia’s future economic and social wellbeing has science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) at its core. We have a vibrant and innovative research culture, but many STEM achievements are little known to the public. 

Educating communities about the relevance of science to everyday life and the difference STEM research makes is vital to ensuring public support for research investment. Providing access to scientists and scientific knowledge helps show the next generation why STEM skills are necessary to succeed in the future workforce.

Increasingly, critical thinking and scientific literacy is important to wellbeing. When people are aware of and understand the science, they can make better decisions  about issues that affect their lives – from whether we choose to vaccinate against COVID-19, how seriously we engage with the threat of climate change to how we vote.

As the national strategy for public participation in science, technology and innovation, Inspiring Australia seeks to boost the public profile of research discovery and the critical value of STEM to our future economic and social wellbeing.

How we work

We connect diverse communities to science through initiatives that are entertaining, transformative and locally relevant. Our programs:

  • Bring science engagement into mainstream programs and policy discussions
  • Create unforgettable experiences for diverse communities across the state
  • Inspire participants with extraordinary scientific discovery and knowledge
  • Bring together like-minded organisations to boost collective impact
  • Show why science and engineering matter and how STEM studies can help prepare communities for the future
  • Create STEM outreach and engagement networks at a local level.

Inspiring Australia NSW 2013 – 2018 highlights report

Flagship programs

New South Wales

National

Who we are

In NSW, Inspiring Australia is overseen by the NSW Inspiring Australia & National Science Week Executive Committee:

Corey Tutt (Chair), Deadly Science
Geoff Crane, National Science Week
Kristl Mauropoulos, the University of Sydney
Jesse Jorgensen-Price, Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre
Bruce Ritchie, Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer

The Manager, Inspiring Australia (NSW) is Meredith Hall

Contact us

Partners

In NSW, Inspiring Australia is a partnership between

University of Sydney
Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer, Dept of Enterprise, Investment and Trade
Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources

The initiative is part of the Australian Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda