Networking, science communications, public engagement and advocacy for convergence science
Oration
Symposium
THE SCIENCE AND ETHICS OF GENOME EDITING
An diverse audience of 1,700 people turned out to hear Professor Jennifer Doudna and Assistant Professor Kevin Esvelt, two science leaders and extraordinary communicators, inform us about genome editing, a technology that is described as a game changes with implications far and wide for society.
Network Events
Graeme Clark Oration
Convergence Science Symposium
In honour of Melbourne's pioneer bionic ear inventer, the Oration brings internationally renowned scientists to share their vision of the future.
The Graeme Clark Oration: Biomedical Showcase. This year we have showcased leading biomedical research and innovation taking place in Melbourne. See more details below.
Nobel Laureate Dr Harold Varmus delivered the 2017 Graeme Clark Oration on Monday, 30 October at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Event Highlights
The Development of the Monash University Bionic Vision Device
Catch up
Rebuilding the Kidney from Stem Cells
Professor Melissa Little
Read more about this event
Catch up
Building Brains - The brain is a universe of 100 billion cells and a network of 1000 trillion synapses.
Catch up
Why Clinical Trials Matter.
The link making research findings in the lab translate their way into new cures.
Convergence 2018
Our next Symposium will cover new ground with the Convergence Science Community.
Coming in Late 2018
The Science and Ethics of Genome Editing Survey Results
We took the opportunity of holding The Science and Ethics of Genome Editing event on 13 February 2018 to conduct a short survey to canvass the public’s views about the topic. The survey was launched on Monday, 5th February and closed on Friday, 9th February. 491 responses were completed.
We wish to thank all those who participated and appreciate their interest. We have collated the responses and the results are published in their entirety in this document.
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The future is CRISPR
The CRISPR genome editing system has been hailed as a transformative technology in biology. While scientists have been editing genomes of organisms for decades, CRISPR has garnered such great attention due to its ability to manipulate genes with a level of accuracy, efficiency and scalability that has been unprecedented. With this new and relatively inexpensive technology, researchers from around the world have capitalised on its wide-range of applications, from modifying mosquitoes to decrease the spread of malaria to changing the genetic makeup of human embryos.
Award for Science Innovation in Schools
The Graeme Clark Award for Science Innovation in Schools was inaugurated at last year’s event. The Award was established to celebrate and acknowledge science innovation in Victorian schools that has added value to the school community by raising the profile of science through innovative practices, partnerships and programs.
The Award is the initiative of the Graeme Clark Foundation, and we thank the Foundation for making this award possible.
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Scientific Convergence and Innovation in Schools Cluster Announced
The Convergence Science Network is pleased to announced a partnership with the John Monash Science School to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subject and career pathways in schools throughout regional Victoria.
The Scientific Convergence and Innovation in Schools Cluster (SCISC) will combine the innovative use of technology and a virtual classroom environment with scientists and entrepreneurs to share cutting-edge knowledge to teachers and students throughout Victoria.ﾠ The program will focus on STEM education and Women in STEM.
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Australia’s High Court finds isolated genetic material not patent-eligible
This opinion piece is republished with the approval of Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick, a proud and Foundation Sponsor of the Convergence Science Network.
Posted October 8, 2015 by Mark Wickham
The Australian High Court has unanimously allowed Ms D’Arcy’s appeal from the Full Federal Court decision in D’Arcy v Myriad Genetics Inc (2014) 224 FCR 479, holding that Myriad’s claims to isolated nucleic acids were not patentable subject matter.
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Medibio sponsors the CSN Digital Tech seminar
Medibio Limited (ASX:MEB) is an Australian listed company providing a Digital Mental Health Platform. Medibio’s patented biomarker is based on the circadian heart rate architecture and has been developed over 15 years of research involving more than 5000 patients. The company is currently conducting trials to support FDA approvals.
Sean Mathieson Chief Operating Officer will be part of our discussion panel. Sean has many years of experience in the strategic positioning and the operational management of business technology solutions including deep knowledge and understanding of both the current and future technology landscape. Prior to Medibio, Sean has held local and global senior executive roles at UXC, Siebel Systems, Ariba and SAP.
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Sir Paul Nurse addresses EMCR’s
During the visit of Sir Paul Nurse in March to deliver the 2015 Graeme Clark Oration, the Convergence Science Network arranged a breakfast with Early and Mid-Career Researchers to discuss issues of concern to them. Sir Paul was joined by Professor Suanne Cory, Honorary Professorial Fellow at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research in opening the discussion. EMCR’s also engaged in a Q&A session with Sir Paul.
In addressing many of the issues confronting today’s Early and mid-Career researchers - funding for research, the pressure to publish, dealing with senior and junior colleagues, and more – Sir Paul drew from his own experience. Many important messages reflected great wisdom and were delivered with sincerity and honesty. This talk is a resource that should be of great value to EMC researchers, their supervisors and lab heads and other research leaders.
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO FILE >
Our first 2018 event is now posted and it should be another ground breaking night.
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If you missed one of our seminars or want to catch up on the latest Convergence Science Event, visit our YouTube Channel.
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Our Philosophy
What we do
Join our community
We engage with the community to share the rapidly moving developments in convergence science.
In a period when science and technology is undergoing exciting and rapid change, it is important for the community to understand the work of scientists by engaging with them and for scientists to communicate their research and discuss the issues they may raise.
This two-way engagement builds an understanding and trust in the value of science.
We Engage with the community to share advances in convergence science
We Inspire researchers, businesses, governments and others to respond to the opportunities offered by convergence science for innovation to deliver better health. We work with schools to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
We Create the opportunities for the community to come together and create a bright future.
The convergence Science Network invites organisations to join this unique science communication and engagement initiative.
Contact us to find out the exclusive benefits available to Network sponsors. We also offer an Individual Membership package of benefits.
Since October 2008, over 16,000 people have attended our events.
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Community Support Program
We are proud to provide opportunities for the community to engage with thought leaders in science and technology, and get to know others with similar interests. The generosity of our wonderful sponsors allows us to provide refreshment for our attendees before each event, it is the least we could do for those who make the commitment to support our events program at the end of the day. We have taken the opportunity to also support the community though our Community Support Program.
There are many in our community who, through no fault of their own, do not have access to proper meals. We have taken the opportunity to support OzHarvest, an initiative that collects excess food and makes sure it gets to where it’s needed. We ask those attending our events to consider supporting our Community Support Program through a gold coin donation, which makes its way to OzHarvest the very next morning. Every dollar collected delivers two meals to hungry Australians. So far, OzHarvest has delivered over 30 MILLION meals!
We are proud to support this amazing Australian initiative and we thank YOU in advance for your support. We encourage more people to assist OzHarvest in anyway they can.
Our tally so far:
$579.15
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
CSN Activity Report
The Convergence Science Network was established in 2008 with the objective to communicate the rapid advances in medicine and their impact on human health to the broader public. Since that time we have held over 80 events and attracted a total audience of over 27,000 attendees.
Fill in the form to download our report showcasing the range of our engagement activities.
About the Convergence Forum
The Convergence Science Network will announce a series of events in early 2015. Our program will include presentations from science thought leaders and practitioners, events where we explore topical issues in more depth and we¹ll be presenting some of our brightest scientists who will share their exciting work in convergence science.
Convergence Science Symposium
The Convergence Science Network is an initiative that promotes an understanding of convergence science to the community, why it is important and how it is helping researchers and businesses realise their visions in delivering improved health and well-being.
Graeme Clark Oration
Join our community
The Graeme Clark Oration is delivered by global leaders in science in honour of Prof. Graeme Clark’s pioneering work in developing the bionic ear in Melbourne in the 1970’s. It is recognised as Australia’s most prestigious free public science event and is attended by secondary school students.
The Convergence Science Network is excited about its networking activities and is inviting organisations to join this unique science communication and engagement initiative.
Contact us to find out the exclusive benefits available to Network sponsors. We also offer an Individual Membership package of benefits.
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We Engage with the community to share developments in convergence science and how these advances impact medicine and health care.
We Inspire the research community, start-ups, existing businesses, government agencies and schools to take advantage of the opportunities offered by convergence science.
We Create the environment and opportunities for new ideas, knowledge and resources across different science disciplines to come together to improve health.
