The Challenge

How can South Australia strengthen the position of science in our society?

Susan Greenfield concentrated on promoting the capabilities of science (including science, technology and engineering) to create prosperity.

She promoted awareness of science and its importance to the community and the economy, and worked to increase the interest of young people, particularly women and girls, in science education and careers in science.

Susan set out to increase the capacity of education, health and community service professionals to incorporate the latest understandings of how the mind and the brain work into their practices.

She developed a neuroscience and bioscience Strategy – to identify South Australia’s competitive strengths in neuroscience and build on its capability, and to develop strategies to increase the commercialisation of bioscience research for the economic benefit of South Australia.

A gifted communicator, Susan took her message to the widest possible audience.  She spoke with government and industry leaders, children, teachers, health professionals and community groups.

Her main aim was to explore ways in which science can escape from the ‘ivory tower agenda’ of university research and be seen to add real value to real people, particularly in sectors with which science and scientists are not usually associated.

Susan used her time to instigate a number of science-related programs that have the potential to offer long-term value to South Australia, and proposed further ambitious initiatives in her final report Getting to the Future First.

Susan Greenfield was in residence from June-August 2004 and July-August 2005.