VIC: Scifi art, genetics and the law, the future of the Otways
National Science Week in VIC
Our early picks of highlights
- Art-science exhibition explores science fiction – Parkville
- How science got a woman released from prison – Melbourne
- What should be the future of the Otway Ranges? – Colac
More on each of the highlights below.
National Science Week in Victoria is coordinated by Inspiring Victoria. Visit their website: inspiringvictoria.org.au.
Art-science exhibition explores science fiction – Parkville
The free exhibition SCI-FI: Mythologies Transformed at Science Gallery Melbourne offers fresh insights on science fiction – a genre built on envisioning alternative futures and imaginary realms.
The lines connecting science fiction with ancient philosophy and mythologies are brought to light by Asian artists and collectives. Shown in Australia for the first time, this narrative is expanded to incorporate First Nations perspectives and knowledges.
SCI-FI includes works by:
- Paola Balla, a Wemba-Wemba and Gunditjmara woman of Italian and Chinese heritage
- Japanese multidisciplinary artist Mariko Mori, whose practice explores themes of technology, spirituality, and transcendence
- Asian American artist and engineer Xin Liu, an artist-in-residence at The SETI Institute (SETI is short for ‘Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence’).
This free exhibition features contemporary artworks, historical artefacts, books, and cinema from both Asia and the West.
Image credit: Miko No Inori (1996) by Mariko Mori.
From Saturday 10 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/sci-fi-mythologies-transformed/parkville
Media enquiries: Katrina Hall, kathall@ozemail.com.au or 0421 153 046.
How science got a woman released from prison – Melbourne
Kathleen Megan Folbigg was arrested in 2001. Accused of murdering her four infant children. She was convicted in 2003 and sentenced to 40 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 25 years.
In 2020, 90 eminent Australian scientists and medical professionals petitioned the NSW Governor to pardon Kathleen Folbigg, demonstrating that all four deaths for which she was convicted could be explained as the effects of very rare genetic factors.
Hear from experts and key members of Team Folbigg about the challenges of bringing science into the justice system in an emotionally heightened case with enormous media interest in an event at the Royal Society of Victoria.
Speakers and panellists:
- Peter Yates: chair of the Australian Science Media Centre, the Royal Institution of Australia
- Anna-Maria Arabia: neuroscientist turned advocate and CEO at the Australian Academy of Science
- Professor David Balding: statistical geneticist with expertise is in the evaluation of DNA profile evidence
- Tracy Chapman: a lifelong friend of Ms Folbigg.
Wednesday 14 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/science-media-and-the-law-lessons-from-the-kathleen-folbigg-case/melbourne
What should be the future of the Otway Ranges? – Colac
The Otway Ranges is home to fern gullies, giant beech trees, towering Californian Redwoods, and many of Australia’s favourite animals including kangaroos, echidnas, platypus, koalas, birds, and even glow worms. Scientists want more people to have a voice in securing the future of this natural treasure.
People from all walks of life can come to a free public forum and be part of efforts to conserve and protect the rich natural environment of the Otways and beyond. The Otways Ecological Research Forum brings together scientific researchers, public and private land managers, and the general public to discuss findings, innovations, and challenges in ecology, conservation science, and landscape-scale management.
Successful conservation needs scientists and on-ground land managers working together towards a shared vision. The forum acts as a direct communication line, bridging science, practice, and the broader community.
Tuesday 13 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/2024-otways-ecological-research-forum-ecology-the-collaborative-science-we-must-get-right/colac
Media enquiries: Andrea de Kauwe, andrea@cosnervationecologycentre.org or 03 5237 9297.
Lizzie Corke (CEO and Founder of the Conservation Ecology Centre) together with Dr Jack Pascoe, Dr Claire Fenuik and other researchers are available for interviews.
Images are available of the Otway Ranges, its wildlife, and conservation researchers at work.