Australia’s Chief Scientist will explore the role social science plays to address the nation’s most pressing challenges and shape a better future at a lecture held at The University of Western Australia this month.

The 2024 Shape the Nation lecture will be delivered by Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM who became Australia’s Chief Scientist in 2021 after a lengthy career at Australia’s national science agency, the CSIRO, where she was appointed as the agency’s Chief Scientist in August 2018.

Image: Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM.

Professor Amanda Davies, Head of UWA’s School of Social Sciences, said Dr Foley would highlight the important contributions of the social sciences to national progress.

“The social sciences play a critical role to inform policy and help build the societies of the future,” Professor Davies said.

“As a leader in science and innovation, Dr Foley will provide a thought-provoking discussion on the current shape of our nation, the biggest issues we face and how we can create positive change.”

The event is hosted by the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia as part of the 20th Congress of the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

The Congress of the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences is the largest gathering of its scholars in Australia and will be hosted by UWA from November 25 to 29.

The congress brings together more than 15 different humanities and social science conferences and workshops, allowing delegates to move between disciplinary and interdisciplinary discussions.

This year, drawing on the strengths of UWA’s School of Social Sciences, the congress will include a symposium on vaccination policy, a workshop that addresses the challenges of climate change and AI in the Asian region, and a research-led discussion on Indigenous Knowledges.

“With the 2024 congress being held in WA for the first time, it is exciting that other WA universities have also been able to partner to host events and highlight the strengths of humanities and social sciences education and research in Western Australia,” Professor Davies said.

“This congress is a fantastic opportunity for teachers, researchers, professionals, practitioners and policymakers to share ideas and foster new teaching and research partnerships.”

Register here for the free Shape the Nation lecture on Thursday 28 November from 5pm to 7pm at UWA’s Fox Lecture Theatre.