UNSW extends Scientia Program supporting early- to mid-career researchers
The extended UNSW Sydney Scientia Program will support an additional 48 early- to mid-career researchers over the next three years.
Published on the 04 May 2023 by UNSW Media
The new Scientia Academics will join a vibrant community of over 140 existing Scientia academics. Photo: UNSW Sydney
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An additional 48 early- to mid-career researchers will be supported over the next three years under a new extension of UNSW Sydney's Scientia Program.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs announced the extension of the resoundingly successful program, a flagship of the University's 2025 Strategy.
A third of the new Scientia cohort will work in formal partnerships with industry, government and non-government organisations (NGOs) to translate research into societal benefits.
The new Scientia Academics will join a vibrant community of over 140 existing Scientia academics appointed since 2017. During their renewable four-year appointment, they will work across a vast range of disciplines to improve lives globally through innovative research and translation, transformative education, and commitment to societal impact. The Scientia Program supports early- to mid-career academics to become research leaders of the future and supports a diverse cohort of participants, with Indigenous researchers making up 9 per cent of the cohort and over 50 per cent of the STEM appointees are women.
“The Scientia program is a standout success of UNSW’s 2025 strategy,” said Professor Nicholas Fisk, UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise. “We are excited to extend the program to provide further support to world-changing researchers, in particular to those translating their research in partnership with end users.”
Many Scientia academics have been honoured for their research, receiving prestigious national and international awards and prizes, including the Prime Minister’s Award for New Innovators, the Young Tall Poppy Science Award, NSW Premier’s Early Career Researcher of the Year, and the Australian Academy of Science Pawsey Medal.
Professor Dane McCamey, UNSW Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research, the Scientia Program has attracted some of UNSW’s highest-performing academics.
“It has supported our academics to undertake research with significant societal impact such as developing quantum technologies, helping the NSW rock oyster industry adapt to climate change, and working with the Olympic Foundation to demonstrate the value of exercise for improved mental health in refugee settings,” Prof. McCamey said.