About us: History

History

The Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation devoted to providing evidence-based science to the public through the mainstream media.

It is first and foremost an independent service for news reporters when major science news stories hit the headlines. The overall goal is public debate and awareness on scientific issues that is based on the most up-to-date information available. The Centre is based on the UK’s acclaimed Science Media Centre (SMC), an initiative of Baroness Susan Greenfield, Director of the Royal Institution of Great Britain. The AusSMC was inspired by the Baroness during her period as an Adelaide Thinker in Residence.

The Centre was incorporated on 1 March 2005, officially launched by the Premier, the Hon Mike Rann and Baroness Greenfield on 2 August 2005 and opened for business on 28 November 2005. Baroness Greenfield is the Patron of the AusSMC.

The establishment of the AusSMC was guided by a National Consultation Report conducted in April-May 2005. The idea was to gain a clear understanding of the Australian context, the cultures of the science and media communities and how the AusSMC could be of value within the Australian science media. The report was based on interviews around Australia with a cross section of key stakeholders such as news editors, science and medical journalists, scientists, communication officers, and science communicators.

"The Australian Science Media Centre is a very exciting initiative that continues the work that was started by the Science Media Centre at The Royal Institution (Ri) in London. As such, I am delighted to endorse a similar facility in Australia, which will enable the media to gain fast access to informed and articulate scientists.  Over the last three years we have proven that such a forum is vital for democratising science in the 21st Century."

Baroness Professor Susan Greenfield
Director, Royal Institution of Great Britain

Annual Reports

Our first 18 months: Dec 05 - June 07 (pdf)

July 07 - June 08