Science & Technology Australia is deeply grateful to Professor Mark Hutchinson for his remarkable leadership and legacy as President of STA.
In his tenure, STA secured a long list of major policy wins and doubled its membership, solidifying the organisation as the leading voice for the science and technology community in Australia.
Mark led with vision, energy, strategy, clarity, kindness and compassion. He has devoted vast amounts of his time to STA, chaired major projects, made generous financial contributions, nurtured our staff and offered wise counsel.
Mark's vision to train Australia's first generation of scientist-entrepreneurs and advocacy for discovery science were central to his leadership at STA. He has strengthened Australian research and innovation systems and been a trusted voice with the ear of Government and the Parliament.
And what a stellar record.
As one of three eminent Australians to review the Australian Research Council's role and function, Mark, Professor Margaret Sheil AO and Professor Susan Dodds developed a comprehensive and thoughtful blueprint to update the Australian Research Council Act.
Education Minister Jason Clare and the Australian Government accepted all recommendations - and legislation to abolish the Ministerial veto power was introduced in Mark's final week as STA President.
In his National Press Club Address for Science Meets Parliament 2022, Mark outlined a bold vision for 'bench-to-boardroom' science - and unveiled new modelling on the strong return on investment from research commercialisation to power Australian prosperity.
Mark chaired an eminent expert group from industry and the research system overseeing a major new research project on STEM Career Pathways in Australia for the Office of Chief Scientist to inform deliberations of the Prime Minister's National Science & Technology Council.
Science & Technology Australia CEO Misha Schubert said Mark had been a transformative and visionary President for STA - leading with clarity, courage and compassion.
"Mark's drive, dynamism and deep intellect have been powerful assets for Science & Technology Australia in his two-year term as President. We are deeply grateful for all he has done," she said.
Mark has also powerfully championed STA's crucial Indigenous partnerships and Indigenous member organisations – and led the STA membership in support of a Yes vote on the Voice referendum.
"I value Mark's true leadership for the Indigenous initiatives that STA has undertaken under his tenure," STA Board member and Chair of ATSIMA Professor Chris Matthews said.
"I deeply value how Mark embraced the tough conversations publicly and humbly forged new friendships and partnerships across the Indigenous STEM space."
Mark's two-year term as President of STA ended at the AGM on November 28 - handing the baton to Professor Sharath Sriram to serve until the 2025 AGM.
"Mark has been a truly outstanding leader for STA and a powerful advocate for the STEM sector," Professor Sriram said.
"Under his deeply influential leadership, STA's advocacy has forged transformative changes to our research and commercialisation ecosystem and been a catalyst for change for the country."
Mark will continue to play a crucial role at STA - as Co-Chair of STA's new Bench to Boardroom initiative alongside Jas Chambers - bringing his own experience as an entrepreneur and neuroscientist leading a team of 200 scientists who have created 16 startups.
The program will train Australia's future scientist-entrepreneurs to generate new economic opportunities, create jobs, and position Australia as a global science and technology powerhouse.
To summarise in one of Mark's signature three-word summaries, "Wow. Just. Wow.".
Key highlights of Mark's Hutchinson's Presidency of STA:
- STA's membership grew to 138 organisations and 115,000 scientists and technologists.
- Gave a National Press Club Address at Science Meets Parliament 2022.
- One of three eminent reviewers of the Australian Research Council Act in 2022-23.
- Comprehensive input on STA policy submissions and advocacy to secure major policy wins.
- Strengthened STA's industry-research partnerships across the STEM sector and beyond.
- Championed equity and diversity including through STA's Superstars of STEM program.
- Forged powerful partnerships and friendships with Indigenous STEM leaders.
- Advocated for Indigenous knowledges and discovery research to be headlined as dedicated, standalone priorities in Australia's next National Science and Research Priorities.
- Chaired the expert panel for STA's major report on STEM Career Pathways for the Prime Minister's National Science and Technology Council and Office of the Chief Scientist.
