Should we alter animals’ DNA to save them from extinction? What secrets will old ice reveal to us about the Earth’s deep past? How is the world’s most expensive — and explosive — substance made?
These questions and more are explored in the thirteenth edition of The Best Australian Science Writing 2023, edited by Donna Lu.
The book will be officially launched by scientist and engineer Emerita Professor Mary O’Kane, followed by the announcement of 2023 Bragg Prize for Science Writing. Two of the Bragg Prize finalists will join Mary on stage in a conversation with Professor Merlin Crossley.
Hear how our contributors and scientists are navigating science in the digital age. Learn how we can separate quality information from uninformed opinions, and how science communication can shape society’s perceptions, influence policy decisions and fuel innovation.
Copies of the book will be available to buy on the night, and there will be an author signing. Or you can buy the book online through the UNSW Bookshop here.
Emerita Professor Mary O'Kane has an extraordinary breadth and depth of experience in the innovation, research, higher education, energy, ICT, public policy and development spheres. Currently the Chair of the NSW Independent Planning Commission and Executive Chairman of O'Kane Associates, her previous roles include Chief Scientist and Engineer for NSW and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide. Emerita Professor O'Kane has been called upon to carry out several reviews of government and scientific agencies in Australia and other countries, in areas including the Bureau of Meteorology, coal seam gas, Malaysian research infrastructure, energy security, koala populations, rail coal dust emissions and road tunnel air quality. More recently, Emerita Professor O'Kane was one of the co-leads for the NSW Government enquiry into the 2019-2020 bushfire season, and the lead of the review into the Higher education system by the Australian Government. Emerita Professor O'Kane has been recognised for her work by a number of awards, including being appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to science and engineering and for her contribution to national policy development and governance.
Merlin Crossley is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Quality) at UNSW Sydney and a Professor of Molecular Biology. He has experience leading both Education and Research portfolios, served as Dean of Science and in several Deputy Vice-Chancellor roles at UNSW. He is an enthusiastic science communicator, Chair of the Editorial Board of The Conversation, of UNSW Press, Deputy Director of the Australian Science Media Centre, a member of the Editorial Board of BioEssays, and an Honorary Associate of the Australian Museum. His lab works on CRISPR gene editing to treat inherited blood disorders. He has been recognized by multiple awards, including a Rhodes Scholarship, the 2020 NSW Premier’s Award for Medical Biological Science, the 2021 Lemberg Medal from the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. In 2021 a new species of iridescent butterfly bobtail squid was named in his honour – Iridoteuthis merlini – Merlin’s bobtail squid.
