Media Release
A free public forum at the University of Western Australia on Wednesday 18 June will provide an opportunity for people to hear a variety of expert opinions and to ask questions about nanotechnology.
The forum is part of a series being held around Australia to assist members of the public to gain a better understanding of advances in nanoscience and encourage community dialogue about nanotechnology.
Questions raised in previous forums have included: what is nanotechnology and is it safe? Should we spend more money researching this area of science? What applications can nanotechnologies be used for that will improve our quality of life?
The panel of experts will also look at possible social impacts of nanotechnology and how the public can get involved in science policy development. The panellists include:
- Associate Professor Joe Shapter who is a scientist, educator and researcher at Flinders University of South Australia. He's originally from Canada and works with nanoscience in the School of Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences. Joe is also a course coordinator of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nanotechnology and is able to explain nano science to the lay person.
- Dr Maxine McCall is the Team Leader of Nanotechnology in the CSIRO, based at North Ryde in Sydney. She will talk about the some of the benefits of nanotechnology and what the CSIRO is doing about potential risks associated with nanotechnology.
- Professor Colin Raston, is an ARC Australian Professorial Fellow in the School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, and Associate Dean Research in the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences at the University of Western Australia. He has been at the University since 2003 and recently established a Centre for Strategic Nano-Fabrication. He will be talking about the uses and applications of nanotechnology.
The forum is sponsored by the Australian Office of Nanotechnology (AON) within the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) in conjunction with the University of Western Australia.
Editorial details for news editors
The forum is to be held on Wednesday 18 June from 6-8 pm. Free refreshments are available at 5.30pm. The venue is 211:G33, MCS Lecture Theatres, Chemical Molecular Sciences Building, University of Western Australia (entrance Gate 2 off Hackett Drive, Crawley. Vehicle parking is available after 5pm at Car Park P14).
Entry is free and all members of the public are welcome.
For comments on the public forum, please contact the DIISR Spokesperson:
Ms Tess McDonald, General Manager, Enabling Technologies Branch, Innovation Division, Department of Innovation, Industry,
Science and Research. Telephone: 02 6276 1272 or mobile 0409 699 056.
In Perth on 18 June for interviews with speakers and details of the forum, contact:
Ms Fiona Childs, Nanotechnology Communications, AON
on mobile 0420 961 487.