“Future WA” – science & research leading WA to future industries & tech

This first Symposium for 2024 is Part 1 in a series that showcases current WA science and research that can lead to future WA technology & industry diversification, building on our state’s unique advantages – it is an opportunity to hear first-hand about research being done right here in WA that could lead to exciting futures for Western Australians in an ever-changing world.

‘Part 1’ will focus on space and radio astronomy, super and quantum computing and the future opportunities offered by WA’s unique flora & landscape – and finish with a deep look at who our future WA scientists and researchers could be.

Program

• – 9am Welcome to Country; Opening: Caitlin Collins MLA (Member for Hillarys, representing the Minister for Innovation, Hon Simon Dawson MLC)
• Vivienne Hansen – ‘Indigenous Noongar knowledge on bush food and medicine in the future of WA’
• Prof. Simon Ellingsen (Executive Director, International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research) – ‘WA – a State Thriving in the Space Age
• Prof. Cathryn Trott (Deputy Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D, ICRAR Curtin) – ‘The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and what it means for humanity’s future understanding of our Universe’ (Dr Sarah Pearce (SKA Low Telescope Director, SKA Observatory) will also be in attendance).
• – 11am morning tea –
• Prof. Phil Bland (Curtin University School of Earth and Planetary Sciences) – ‘Advanced spacecraft platforms supporting future WA missions’
• Assoc. Prof. Sascha Schediwy (ICRAR, UWA) – ‘TeraNet: Developing the next-generation of laser-powered, space communication networks in Western Australia’
• – 12.30pm lunch –
• Mark Stickells AM (Pawsey Supercomputing Centre) – ‘Accelerating Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing (HPC to Quantum)’
• Prof. Jingbo Wang (Director, Centre for Quantum Information, Simulation and Algorithm, UWA) – ‘The era of quantum computing is coming – and here are the opportunities for WA’
• Prof. Harvey Millar (ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space and International Space Centre, UWA) – ‘Developing a role for WA plant & agricultural sciences in Moon to Mars space exploration 2025-2050′
• – 3pm afternoon tea
• Digby Growns (Senior Plant Breeder, Kings Park & Botanic Garden) – ‘Developing WA’s native flora – resilient plants and resilient landscapes’ [Kings Park’s ‘plant breeding for export’]
• Malcolm French (Eucalypts WA) – ‘Eucalypts – Enhancing Perth’s & the Regions tree canopy, and new discoveries’
• Dr Kathryn Ross (Founder of IncludeHer) – ‘Balancing the equation: The importance of gender analysis in a future of scientific innovation’