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Science takes a bow
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The world-class achievements of Australia's top scientists, science educators and communicators have been celebrated with the announcement of the winners of 2011 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
From sea pansy-powered drug development, to superfast computer chips, and research questioning the ethics and effectiveness of whipping horses, the 22nd Annual Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are a tour de force of Australian research and innovation.
In a glittering event, the country's brightest minds in scientific investigation, leadership, journalism and communication and school science gathered at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion for Australian science's ‘night of nights'. Seventy-nine finalists were brought together from around the country, competing for more than $240 000 in prize money. There were five new prizes, including Commercialisation of Innovation and Emerging Leader in Science.
"For 22 years, the Eureka Prizes have been providing public recognition of the sometimes little-known achievements of Australia's scientific community," says Frank Howarth, Director of the Australian Museum. "Already, this year's winners are influencing the way we think and act in realms as diverse as computer science and the Melbourne Cup."
Among the winners is Monash University's Dr Paul Biegler, whose work questioning the prescription of antidepressants for mild depression when cognitive behavioural therapy is an equally effective, drug-free alternative, has won the Australian Catholic University Eureka Prize for Research in Ethics.
With 35 million people reading, watching and listening to news of the Eureka Prize-winners in previous years, the ‘Oscars of Australian Science' continues to spread the news of Australia's scientific successes. This year, ABC TV's Catalyst broadcast a 2011 Eureka Prize Special on Thursday, September 8 at 8pm on ABC1. Watch it here.
