Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Celebrate Science Engagement

Sydney, 31 July 2024: Announced today, the 12 finalists in the Science Engagement category for the prestigious 2024 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes feature projects spanning environmental conservation, marine ecosystems, scientific journalism and STEM education for diverse communities.

Australian Museum Director and CEO Kim McKay AO said the Science Engagement category highlights important ongoing work across the community can help to make science relevant to all Australians.

“Ensuring science is relatable, engaging, and accessible is a foundational to the Australian Museum’s mission, and the creative ideas that come out of the AM Eureka Prizes Science Engagement category demonstrate ways to inspire a sense of awe in the natural world. This year, each entrant found innovative ways to connect scientific concepts to broader audiences and the finalists have proven that science is something everyone can enjoy,” McKay said.

Department of Industry, Science and Resources Eureka Prizes for Innovation in Citizen Science

Insect Investigators

Students have named 17 new insect species across Australia since 2019 through Insect Investigators’ multi-state school-based program that combines insect surveys with DNA sequencing and taxonomy. The 1,800 students from 54 schools have helped increase knowledge of Australia’s biodiversity by documenting more than 5,000 insect species using DNA.

Kangaroo Island Nest Box Project

After bushfires burnt 50% of Kangaroo Island in 2019/2020, a University of South Australia partnership with several NGOs engaged citizen scientists to construct, deploy and monitor 760 pygmy possum and bat nest boxes. Kangaroo Island Nest Box Project data has led to a scientific paper and wildlife conference presentations.

Passport to Recovery, Flinders University

More than 3,500 tourists and locals have contributed to Passport to Recovery, providing critical insights into Kangaroo Island’s recovery after the 2019/2020 bushfires. It brings 12 programs together in one website and app, including initiatives on native bees, roadkill and koala movements. Ongoing data collection will also help other areas in Australia recovering from fires.

Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science

Dr Vanessa Pirotta, Macquarie University

From Play School to politics, Dr Vanessa Pirotta’s advocacy for threatened ocean ecosystems speaks to diverse audiences. A wildlife scientist specialising in whale research, Dr Pirotta is a trusted source for the media, an author and a builder of citizen science communities, educating Australians to inform better decision-making about our oceans’ future.

Professor Euan Ritchie, Deakin University

In the face of dual climate change and extinction crises, Professor Euan Ritchie is a sought-after voice. From writing popular articles and influential opinion pieces, live-tweeting field research and creating the much-loved ‘Australian Mammal of The Year’ competition, he guides policy and fosters public understanding of nature, wildlife and how science can help overcome environmental challenges.

Associate Professor Suzie Sheehy, University of Melbourne

An accelerator physicist and science communicator, Associate Professor Suzie Sheehy uses empathetic storytelling to reshape perceptions of science, connecting discovery with innovation, and highlighting the under-appreciated role of women researchers. She engages the public as a media commentator, keynote speaker and author of bestselling popular science book The Matter of Everything, published in 12 languages.

Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Science Journalism

Sherryn Groch, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald

With graphics, feature articles and a podcast episode, Sherryn Groch exposed backroom deals never previously made public on deep-sea mining and presented new research on its potential radioactive risk to the environment. Her investigative journalism uncovered stolen research, the exploitation of developing nations and nefarious links with Australian companies.

Published by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, 9 and 11 September 2023

Hello AI Overlords, Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Presented in six 25-minute audio episodes, Hello AI Overlords was inspired by the emergence of easy-to-use AI tools in 2022. Featuring interviews with leading experts, it showcases the human stories that shaped today’s AI technologies. Subjects include accidents caused by driverless cars and a man wrongly convicted by this emerging technology.

Broadcast by ABC Radio National and published as a podcast, October - November 2023.

Liam Mannix, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald

Liam Mannix spent four months investigating the A$20 billion Medical Research Future Fund, interviewing whistleblowers and confidential sources. The resulting articles ran on the front page of The Age and revealed that hug.

sums from the fund were spent on politically linked projects in closed, non-competitive tenders, often influenced by lobbying rather than the quality of the science.

Published in The Age, 15, 16 and 17 July 2023

Department of Industry, Science and Resources Eureka Prize for STEM Inclusion

The CLOAK Team, University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney

This creative project challenged a science stereotype by bringing together LGBTQIA+ scientists and emerging fashion designers to reinvent the traditional white lab coat as a symbol of queer pride. The CLOAK Team’s collaborative design process and resulting garments were documented to celebrate diversity, inclusion and identity in STEM.’

Little Scientists Australia

Little Scientists Australia is the nation’s leading provider of STEM professional development for early childhood educators. It champions inclusive, evidence-based education for all young children by building educators’ early STEM teaching skills and confidence through its hands-on workshops. Little Scientists also supports parents to engage their children in play-based STEM learning at home.

Wonder of Science, University of Queensland

Wonder of Science is a program fostering STEM engagement and inclusion, particularly across regional and remote Queensland. Supporting low-income, female, neurodiverse and Indigenous students to build scientific literacy, it has reached 114,000 people since 2012, providing teacher support and STEM challenge tasks for Year 4 – 9 students.

The AM Eureka Prizes offer $180,000 in total prize money across a diverse spectrum of science, from environmental sustainability to cutting-edge technology, citizen science initiatives, leadership, and mentoring. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, 4 September, at a ceremony held at Sydney Town Hall. A livestream of the awards will also be available online. Register for the livestream at australian.museum/eurekaprizes.

For more information and a full list of 2024 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes finalists: australian.museum/eurekaprizes.

Event details

• What: Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Award Ceremony
• Where: Sydney Town Hall, George St, Sydney.
• When: Wednesday 4 September 2024

Live broadcast from 7:30pm AEST via australian.museum/eurekaprizes

Interviews available with finalists

Media pack, including releases, finalist info, images and video HERE
#EurekaPrizes Twitter: @eurekaprizes Facebook: - @eurekaprizes

Media Enquiries

• Matt Fraser, Director of Communications, matt@originalspin.com.au / 0401 326 007
• Timothee Luong, communications advisor, timothee@originalspin.com.au / 0435 715 017
• Claire Vince, media advisor, Claire.vince@australian.museum / 0468 726 910

About the Australian Museum

The Australian Museum (AM) was founded in 1827 and is the nation’s first museum. It is internationally recognised as a natural science and culture institution focused on Australia and the Pacific. The AM’s mission is to ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change. The AM’s vision is to be a leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. The AM commits to transforming the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; being a strong advocate for First Nations cultures; and to continuing to develop world leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs. With more than 22 million objects and specimens and the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI), the AM is not only a dynamic source of reliable scientific information on some of the most pressing environmental and social challenges facing our region, but also an important site of cultural exchange and learning.