The 7th Australia-Spain Research Forum “A Collaborative World“ hosted today, Friday 26th November 2021, at the Australian Hearing Hub, Macquarie University, has been a success. We have had a total of 49 people attending in person, plus around 50 people attended on-line.
The Forum started at 10am with registration and morning tea, and was officially opened at 10:30am by HE Ms Alicia Moral-Revilla, Ambassador of Spain in Australia, following the «Acknowledgment to the Country«. Prof. Tracy Rushmer (Associate Dean Higher Degree Research, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University) and Mr. Israel Lozano Barragán (Navantia Australia CEO) also welcomed the participants. Dr. Joaquín Valderrama (National Acoustic Laboratories & SRAP President) provided an overview of our association. The Chair of the Forum, Dr. Ángel R. López-Sánchez (Australian Astronomical Optics, Macquarie University & SRAP) introduced them.
HE Ms Alicia Moral-Revilla, Ambassador of Spain in Australia, opening the 7th SRAP Aus-Spa Research Forum.
Prof. Tracy Rushmer (Associate Dean Higher Degree Research, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University).
Mr. Israel Lozano Barragán (Navantia Australia CEO).
Dr. Joaquín Valderrama (National Acoustic Laboratories & SRAP President).
After the opening ceremony, Session 1 started. It was chaired by Dr. Carmen Salvador-Palomeque (Field Applications Scientist, Genetic Science Division, at Thermo Fisher Scientific and SRAP Vice-President). Some photos and information about the speakers below:
Dr. Carmen Salvador-Palomeque (Field Applications Scientist, Genetic Science Division, at Thermo Fisher Scientific and SRAP Vice-President) chaired the Session 1.
The lecture theatre at The Australian Hearing Hub, Macquarie University, during the first session.
Dr. Lucas de Toca (First Assistant Secretary, Implementation and Primary Care Response, National COVID Vaccine Taskforce, Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne & SRAP) gave the first talk about «The Australian COVID-19 response and vaccine rollout».
Dr. Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick (Affiliated ARC Future Fellow, Climate Change Research Centre, UNSW) talked about «Climate change in Australia». It was an online presentation from Canberra.
Jaime Granell Guyatt (Global Head of Infrastructure Division at Engineering Services, Ferrovial Construction) gave his contribution remotely from Spain (at his 1:30am): «LBJ Express: an example of public-private partnership on infrastructures».
Dr. Jose Barrero (CSIRO & SRAP) gave the talk «Food security and transgenic crops: The case of the new insect-resistant cowpea for Nigeria» from Canberra.
The first in-person talk was by Maria Caruda (ACCIONA AUSTRALIA Energy Team), who talked about «Acciona Energía’s renewable energy projects in Australia»
The last speaker of the first session was Dr. Cristina Martínez-Lombilla (UNSW & SRAP) who presented «Astronomy for a better world».
After the lunch, as usual free for all attendants and including chorizo, paella and churros as dessert, the Forum continued with Session 2, that was chaired by Assoc. Prof. Marian Vidal-Fernández (School of Economics, University of Sydney & SRAP). Below some photos about the speakers and talks:
Prof. Pablo Fernandez Peñas (Dermatology, University of Sydney, Head of Department, Westmead Hospital, Lead of the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Group, Westmead Institute for Medical Research & SRAP) gave the first talk of Session 2: «Multi-omics for skin cancer».
Assoc. Prof. Marian Vidal-Fernández (School of Economics, University of Sydney & SRAP) introduces Assoc. Prof. Marta Yebra (Fenner School of Environment & Society and School of Engineering ANU & SRAP), who talked about «ANU Bushfire Initiative: An integrated defence system to protect Australia from catastrophic bushfires»
Dr. Luis Fernando Angosto Ferrández (Senior Lecturer in the Department of Spanish and Latin American Studies, University of Sydney & SRAP) gave a talk about «Political symbols in times of social instability: learning from the uses and functions of national flags».
Amaia Sanchez-Velasco, Jorge Valiente Oriol and Gonzalo Valiente (Lecturer UTS, Grandeza Studio) with Miguel Rodriguez-Casellas (Lecturer UTS, Bajeza Studio) presented their work «Teatro Della Terra Alienata. Australian Pavilion. Winner of the 2019 Golden Bee Award, XXII Milano Triennale».
Michael Hromek (University of Technology, WSP), talked about «Connecting to Country: Aboriginal co-design and the designer’s role».
The last speaker of the Session 2 was Assoc. Prof. Alex Sen Gupta (Climate Change, Research Centre, UNSW) who talked about «Drowning in bullshit – some thoughts on staying afloat», a.k.a. who to identify fake news.
A very special session about «Science Diplomacy» started after the coffee break. The chair was Assoc. Prof. Sergio León-Saval (Director of the Sydney Astrophotonic Instrumentation Lab, University of Sydney & Honorary President SRAP).
Coral Martínez (Director of Instituto Cervantes Sydney) started the session with her talk «Science for everybody».
Next, Prof. Luis Salvador Carulla (Deputy director of the Health Research Institute, University of Canberra & Honorary President SRAP) gave the first part of the talk «Science Diplomacy: Role of funding agencies and scientific organisations».
Nishant Shandilya (Regional Coordinator of EURAXESS Australia & New Zealand) gave the second part of the talk «Science Diplomacy: Role of funding agencies and scientific organisations».
Dr. Sabine Bellstedt (ICRAR / University of Western Australia) gave an overview of «Australia’s Science meets Parliament» from the point of view of an Australian scientist participating in it.
Next we had another online talk from Spain. At his 6:30am, Dr. Andreu Climent (Ramón y Cajal Researcher, Itaca Institute (COR) Universitat Politècnica de Valencia) described “Ciencia en el Parlamento” (Spanish’s science meets Parliament)».
Finally, Dr. Eva Ortega Paino (General Secretary RAICEX, Biobank Scientific Director at CNIO) gave her presentation «Walking on RAICEX, the network of Spanish researchers abroad» remotely from Sweden.
After Session 3 the 7th Australia-Spain Research Forum “A Collaborative World“ concluded with the SRAP Laureate Awards and the Malaspina Award.
This year, Dr Marina Trigueros (Phenomics Australia Communications and Outreach Coordinator and SRAP) received the SRAP Laureate Award for her outstanding work as the Canberra representative for several years.
From left to right: Dr. Joaquín Valderrama (SRAP President), Dr Marina Trigueros (Phenomics Australia Communications and Outreach Coordinator and SRAP) receiving the 2021 SRAP Laureate Award, HE Ms Alicia Moral-Revilla (Ambassador of Spain in Australia), Dr. Carmen Salvador Palomeque (SRAP Vice-President), and Dr. Ana Rubio (SRAP Secretary General).
Finally, HE Ms Alicia Moral-Revilla (Ambassador of Spain in Australia) and Prof. Luis Salvador Carulla (Deputy director of the Health Research Institute, University of Canberra & Honorary President SRAP) presented the 4th Malaspina Award, that has been bestowed upon Homeward Bound. Dr. Katrina Sealey (Australian Astronomical Optics, Macquarie University), who participated in the #TeamHB3 and also in our 6th SRAP Research Forum, collected the prize on behalf of Homeward Bound. The 4th Malaspina Award has been sponsored by Navantia Australia.
HE Ms Alicia Moral-Revilla (Ambassador of Spain in Australia) presents the winner of the 4th Malaspina Award.
Dr. Katrina Sealey (Australian Astronomical Optics, Macquarie University) collected the prize on behalf of Homeward Bound. She read some words sent by Fabian Dattner, Co-founder & CEO of Homeward Bound.
From left to right: Dr. Joaquín Valderrama (SRAP President), Dr. Katrina Sealey (Australian Astronomical Optics, Macquarie University) with the statuette “Heart” designed by internationally renowned Spanish artist Óscar Martín de Burgos, HE Ms Alicia Moral-Revilla (Ambassador of Spain in Australia) and Prof. Luis Salvador Carulla (Deputy director of the Health Research Institute, University of Canberra & Honorary President SRAP). The 4th Malaspina Award has been sponsored by Navantia Australia.
The Chair of the Forum, Dr. Ángel R. López-Sánchez (Australian Astronomical Optics, Macquarie University & SRAP), provided the concluding remarks and closed the 7th Australia-Spain Research Forum “A Collaborative World“.
The Chair of the Forum, Dr. Ángel R. López-Sánchez (Australian Astronomical Optics, Macquarie University & SRAP), providing the concluding remarks and thanking all participants.
After the closing ceremony of the Forum, and once the Conference Photo was taken, the participants enjoyed the networking event «Tapas and Wine«, that finished at around 7pm.
We want to thank all participants for their great talks and contributions, they all have made this 7th Australia-Spain Research Forum another success. We are extremely grateful to the Spanish Embassy in Australia, the Australia-Spain Council Foundation, and the Ramón Areces Foundation for their continuous support.
Finally, we want to thank all the LOC of the 7th Australia-Spain Research Forum “A Collaborative World“ for their excellent work and organisation: Dr. Inés Benavente, Inmaculada Conde, Eladio Hernando, María Jones Caballero, Dr. Cristina Martínez Lombilla, Assoc. Prof. Sergio León-Saval, Dr. Dr. Ángel R. López-Sánchez (Chair), Dr. Jorge Pinilla, Dr. Ana Rubio, Prof. Luis Salvador-Carulla, Dr. Carmen Salvador Palomeque, Dr. Joaquín Valderrama and Assoc. Prof. Marian Vidal-Fernández.
UPDATE on 31st March 2022: The Final Report of the 7th SRAP Research Forum is already available.