Monash BDI researchers promote the value of research and STEM to key policymakers at Science Meets Parliament
Three researchers from Monash University’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) joined around 400 STEM experts, politicians and policy leaders at the annual Science Meets Parliament event.
Held over two days in Canberra in March, the event is an opportunity for scientists and researchers to showcase their STEM initiatives and to discuss their research goals with key policymakers during professional development sessions, forums, and small group meetings with MPs and senators.
Dr Sarah Revitt-Mills, an ECR in the Lyras Lab, Dr Francesca Short, Head of the Short Lab and Senior Lecturer in the Infection Program, and Dr Shani Amarasinghe, an ECR in the Abud Lab and Jardé Lab were selected to represent the Institute at the event.
Monash BDI has sent representatives to Science Meets Parliament for the past eight years.
The 2026 event was opened by Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy, Dr Andrew Charlton, and Shadow Minister for Science, Aaron Violi.
The Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Senator Tim Ayres, also attended.
Mr Ayres gave a televised National Press Club address that highlighted the central role of research in increasing productivity, building new industries and creating high value jobs. The Minister also emphasised the need for close collaboration between government, industry and Australia’s research community.
Reflecting on the event, Dr Revitt-Mills said her main takeaway from the event was that great science only really matters if people understand it.
“That doesn’t mean dumbing down your work, but tailoring your language to include all those at the table, and to make them excited about your work,” Dr Revitt-Mills said.
“When people feel a personal connection, they are more likely to remember and feel the importance of your work.”
Dr Revitt-Mills met fellow scientists including Australian Research Council CEO, Professor Ute Roessner AM FAA, and Professor Kylie Walker AM, CEO of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. She also met Ms Anne Stanley, Member for Werriwa and Government Whip.
For Dr Amarasinghe, the event enabled her to learn how to communicate her research to a different audience. She also gained a clearer understanding of how policies and protocols around science are developed, and how researchers can better contribute to those processes.
Dr Amarasinghe said the politicians who attended were genuinely curious and willing to have honest and productive conversations with the scientists
“I learned that research informs decisions most effectively when it is communicated clearly, concisely and in a way that aligns with real-world priorities, such as cost, scalability and community impact. It’s not just about the strength of the science, but how well it connects to broader systems challenges and policy goals,” Dr Amarasinghe said.
“Moving forward, I will focus on clearly articulating how my research translates into improved outcomes – whether for patients, healthcare systems or society more broadly, especially when I engage with non-scientific audiences.”
Dr Short said while most politicians are supportive of science, it is easy for the sector to be overlooked when politicians are managing challenges and competing priorities.
“Communicating the value of our work and how it leads to improved future outcomes is essential - and science offers us hope right now,” Dr Short said.
“I have a relative who suffers from a degenerative disease and knowing that there might be a cure one day makes things a little easier. What if we knew that there would never be any new cures? Underfunding science is a vote for that future.”
Dr Revitt-Mills, Dr Short and Dr Amarasinghe highly recommend the Science Meets Parliament experience and encourage their BDI colleagues to apply to attend in 2027.
“As scientists, our communication is typically targeted to the scientific community, through papers, reviews and posts on LinkedIn,” Dr Revitt-Mills said.
“Science Meets Parliament demonstrates that communication to a broader, non-scientific audience is a skill that should be practised and is a lot more valuable than we think.”
GENERAL MEDIA ENQUIRIES
For more Monash media stories, visit our news and events site
Monash Media
E: media@monash.edu
T: +61 (0) 3 9903 4840
About the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University
Committed to making discoveries that will relieve the future burden of disease, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University brings together more than 120 internationally renowned research teams. Spanning seven discovery programs across Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Development and Stem Cells, Infection, Immunity, Metabolism, Diabetes and Obesity, and Neuroscience, Monash BDI is one of the largest biomedical research institutes in Australia. Our researchers are supported by world-class technology and infrastructure, and partner with industry, clinicians and researchers internationally to enhance lives through discovery.