The Tall Poppy Campaign was established by the Australian Institute of Policy & Science to promote awareness of Australia’s intellectual achievements. An important component of the Campaign is the Young Tall Poppy Science Awards which recognise the achievements of outstanding young researchers in the sciences including physical, biomedical, applied sciences, engineering and technology.
The Awards are made on a state-by-state basis and in 2008 will be made in New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Victoria. The Young Tall Poppy Science Awards recognise the achievements of younger researchers (up to 40 years of age).
The Awards not only acknowledge the recipients’ achievements but also provide them with an opportunity to demonstrate their value as role models by promoting and encouraging an interest in science among school students and the wider community.
Previous Award winnershave encompassed fields as diverse as cancer research, mental health, environmental engineering, water quality, gene therapy, immunology, fuel technology, climate change, chronobiology, physiotherapy, inorganic chemistry and information technology.
Nominations will be accepted from all areas including universities, research institutes, government agencies and the corporate sector.
Closing Dates for Nominations
South Australia Nominations now open. Nominations close Friday 6 June 2008. (Awards announced on Thursday 21 August 2008).
Victoria Nominations open Thursday 15 May. Nominations close Friday 18 July 2008. (Awards announced on Thursday 11 September).
New South Wales / Australian Capital Territory Nominations open Thursday 5 June. Nominations close Friday 1 August 2008. (Awards announced on Thursday 23 October).
Essential Selection Criteria
Excellence in research/academic achievement in science or medical research, shown by track record and / or by clearly demonstrated potential. Track record includes:
specific research achievements
publications record
awards or prizes
positions gained
grants obtained
patents held
AND
Excellence in community engagement in the understanding and promotion of science. This may be demonstrated through experience in specific science promotion activities and or through potential to connect with a varied audience; younger, older, scientific and non-scientific. Relevant experience and or ability could include::
strong interest in, and commitment to, science promotion within the broader community.
science communication with a range of audiences [not just communication with peers and or through teaching/supervisory responsibilities] in person and via the media.
an ability to connect with primary and secondary school students.
an ability to communicate scientific research and its implications to the general public.
Eligibility Criteria
The awards in 2008 are open to residents of New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia working in all fields of science, including the biomedical, physical and applied sciences.
Nominees should be either postgraduates who are close to completing, or have completed, a doctoral degree within the past 10 years or working in industry and demonstrating an equally high level of research achievement.
While there is no minimum, nominees should have a maximum of ten years post-doctoral research experience.
While the selection criteria include academic criteria, nominations from those working in industry and demonstrating an equally high level of research achievement are also encouraged.
Nominees may be up to, but not more than 40 years of age.
Nominees should have undertaken the majority of their postgraduate, doctoral and post-doctoral research in Australia, and/or be committed to carrying out their research in Australia in coming years.
Only individual scientists are eligible (not research teams).
Self-nominations are not eligible.
Nominees must be citizens of Australia or hold Permanent Resident status.
Nomination Requirements
Nominators of individuals for the Awards should hold a senior research or executive position and be from a similar or related field to that of the nominee.
Nominations should include:
Completed nomination form (including nominator’s reference and outline by the nominee of her/his research and community engagement activities).
A brief CV (maximum 3 pages).
Please note that any additional information attached to nominations (additional CV pages, cover letters, letters of reference, etc will not be provided to the Selection Committee).
Selection Procedure
A selection committee will be appointed in each state, comprising representatives from universities, the research community, government and the Australian Institute of Policy and Science.
The selection committees will be guided by the selection criteria, taking into account the relevant age and experience of the nominees.
Short-listed nominees nominees in Victoria and South Australia may be asked to participate in an interview.
All nomination information and material remains the property of the Tall Poppy Campaign and will remain strictly confidential.
The deliberations of the selection committees will remain confidential.
The decisions of the selection committees in the selection of Award recipients are final.
South Australian Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year
This new award was introduced in South Australia in 2005. The South Australian Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year Award will be assessed and judged by the selection committee as being the most outstanding of the 2008 Young Tall Poppy Science Award recipients.
Recipients of the Young Tall Poppy Science Awards (Young Tall Poppies) will become science ambassadors and will be expected to:
Attend the award presentation in their respective state (South Australian winners are also expected to attend the South Australian Science Excellence Awards presentation).
Be in their respective state for 6-12 months following the award ceremony.
Participate in educational programs and briefings targeted at primary and secondary schools, teachers, federal and state ministers, and in a range of professional and promotional activities relating to science.
The South Australian Young Tall Poppy of the Year Award winner is subject to the conditions for this award outlined on the South Australian Science Excellence Awards website. The following conditions of the award should be noted:
The cash grant associated with this award is provided on an unencumbered basis and is awarded in recognition of achievement. This means that the Awardees are free to use it for whatever purpose they choose. In the event that an Awardee decides to use the grant beneficially for others (for example through the creation of a scholarship), he/she is requested to advise the Secretariat of this decision.
A detailed summary of expenditure will be required by August 2009 from the Awardees organisation to ensure that funds have been spent for the benefit of the winners, their research team or science program.
Awards Ceremonies
South Australia Awards announced on Thursday 21 August 2008.
A breakfast event atAyers House, North Terrace, Adelaide.
Victoria Awards announced on Thursday 11 September.
An evening cocktail event atRoyce Hotel, St Kilda Rd, St Kilda.
New South Wales / Australian Capital Territory Awards announced on Thursday 23 October.
An evening event, venue in Sydney CBD to be announced.
Outcomes and Benefits of the Young Tall Poppy Science Awards
Profiling younger Australian researchers, their areas of specialisation and their university or research institute in the community.
Opportunity for Young Tall Poppies to act as 'ambassadors' for science by encouraging interest in scientific careers and keeping science at the forefront of the public agenda.
Opportunity to meet with Ministers, politicians, leading scientists, corporate, academia and science policy makers through Tall Poppy Campaign events.
Fostering a culture of pride in intellectual achievement, especially amongst younger Australians.
Complementing the role of universities and research institutes in communicating research outcomes to education, business and government sectors.
Providing a national science research resource which can be drawn upon by schools, government and the wider community.
Submission of Applications
Nominations should be posted to the addresses below for each state by the respective closing dates.
Two copies of each nomination should be enclosed.
Nominations should be printed single-sided and securely fastened (but not stapled or bound).
Please note that nominations are not accepted via email.
