Public diplomacy
Square Kilometre Array telescope
3 November 2011
The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope is a next-generation radio telescope currently being designed by an international collaboration of institutes and agencies from over 20 countries. The SKA telescope will be made up of over 3,000 15 metre wide radio receiver dishes and other antennas strategically placed in spiral sequence across a continent. The Australia-New Zealand proposal allows for over 5,000km between the most distant antennas. 
Advanced electronics and computer processing will enable the 3,000 separate antennas to work as a single very large telescope. The SKA's overall antenna surface area and very large array width will improve sensitivity and resolution.
It will have a discovery potential 10,000 times greater than any modern radio telescope. By capturing billion-year old cosmic radio waves, the SKA will enable astronomers to unlock some of the biggest mysteries of our universe. It is expected to provide insights into dark energy and how the first stars and galaxies were formed.
The SKA will be jointly funded by several countries and the SKA project is currently governed by an international body representing partner countries. The SKA project is currently seeking the most appropriate location to build the SKA. The selected site will suit the requirements of the construction and operation of the telescope such as its need for low radio interference, favourable geography and climate, and suitable support and work environments. An Australia-New Zealand proposal is one of two shortlisted host proposals – the other proposal being from a collaboration of nine southern African countries led by the Republic of South Africa. The SKA site selection announcement is expected in early 2012 with the telescope due to be operational by 2020.
More information: Sqare Kilometre Array telescope website
Elizabeth O'Neill Journalism Award
Elizabeth O'Neill Journalism Award
Catching Cancer: Visit to South East Asia by Professor Ian Frazer
21 April 2011
DFAT is supporting Professor Ian Frazer, creator of the HPV vaccine against cervical cancer and 2006 Australian of the Year, to conduct a science diplomacy tour of South East Asia from 25 April to 11 May 2011. Professor Frazer will undertake a six country visit taking in Hanoi, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Jakarta and Manila. The tour will include screenings of the Australian made documentary 'Catching Cancer' screened on ABC TV and aims to showcase Australia's scientific excellence more broadly.
Professor Frazer was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and immigrated to Melbourne in 1980 to pursue further studies in viral immunology and autoimmunity. In 1985 he took up a teaching post at the University of Queensland, where he established the Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research. He focussed on the link between human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer.
By 1991 Professor Frazer's team had created a world-first cervical cancer vaccine. This vaccine was released in 2006, the same year Professor Frazer was named Australian of the Year for its development.
He is currently the Director of the University of Queensland Diamantina Institute.
Catching Cancer is a December Films and Pemberton Films production. Proudly supported by Screen Australia, Film Victoria, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. International sales National Geographic International