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Science & Technology Australia (STA), formerly known as the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS), is an organisation representing the interests of more than 90,000 Australian scientists and technologists, and promoting their views on a wide range of policy issues to the Australian Government, Australian industry, and the Australian community.
Science & Technology Australia is Australia’s peak body in science and technology and represents more than 90,000 Australian scientists and technologists working across all scientific disciplines. STA is a regular contributor to debate on public policy, with a mission to bring together scientists, governments, industry and the broader community to advance the role, reputation and impact of science and technology across the nation.
The organisation was known as the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS) until June 2011. The Federation was formed in late 1985, as a reaction to the 1984 Australian Federal Budget, which made substantial cuts to funding for science; its formation followed the statements of the then Minister for Science, (Barry Jones), that the Australian science and technology community did not provide him with sufficient support in his dealings with cabinet. STA provides comment on Treasury and Australian federal budget submissions.
The organisation is best known for the annual Science Meets Parliament event, the Superstars of STEM program and the STEM Ambassadors program.
STA's CEO is Ryan Winn and its current President is Jas Chambers.
Superstars of STEM is a program, created in 2017, is designed to provide role models for women and non-binary people in STEM. The program provides media and science communications training, and is,
"a game-changing Australian initiative to smash gender assumptions about who can work in science, technology, engineering and maths... it has made a powerful contribution to start to tackle the serious gender inequity of visible diverse role models featured in the media as experts in STEM. Open to women and non-binary people, the program equips brilliant diverse STEM experts with advanced communication skills and opportunities - in the media, on stage and in schools."
Superstars of STEM who have made a significant presence in the media and impact with their science include:
Superstars of STEM from various cohorts have gone on to become members of the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering (see Susannah Eliott), Academy of Social Sciences (see Muireann Irish), or awarded Orders of Australia (see Sue Barrell).
Science & Technology Australia members are societies and organisations that represent the professional interests of scientists and technologists across Australia. Members are split into different clusters.
As of April 2021[update] members include:[citation needed]
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