Professor Suzanne Cory

Interview with Professor Suzanne Cory

Professor Suzanne Cory has been elected by her peers as the President of the Academy of Science. The Academy of Science was formed in 1954 and in the past has been dominated by male scientist; Professor Suzanne Cory is the first female to be elected as the President, she replaces Professor Kurt Lambeck, who has held the position of President since 2006. The President term is held for four years.

Professor Dorothy Hill, the only other female to serve as the President of the Academy of Science, did so in 1970, when Dr. David Martyn passed away whilst holding the position.

Professor Cory was the Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and Professor of Medical Biology at the University of Melbourne from 1996 until 2009. In 2002 she was appointed to the CSIRO Board and became its Deputy Chairman in 2007.

Professor Cory's scientific achievements have attracted numerous honours and awards, including the Australia Prize, the Charles S. Mott Prize of the General Motors Cancer Research Foundation, the Royal Medal of The Royal Society and a L'Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Award.

Professor Cory was elected to the Australian Academy of Science in 1986 and the Royal Society in 1992. She is also an elected member of the US National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the French Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. In 1999 she was appointed Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia and in 2009 she was awarded the French decoration of Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Légion d'Honneur.

Interview with Professor Suzanne Cory

Were you surprised to be elected as President of the Academy of Science?

Professor Suzanne Cory: Naturally I was very delighted when I was selected. There is a formal process involved. You are initially asked if you would be willing to stand.


After being asking if you are willing to stand, what is the next step in the process behind being elected for the role?

Professor Suzanne Cory: There is a canvassing amongst the fellows and eventually a voting by all the fellowship.


Why do you believe you were perfect for the role of President of the Academy of Science?

Professor Suzanne Cory: I have a very high scientific standing both nationally and internationally.


You were the first women elected for the role of the President of the Academy of Science; do you believe this will ensure other women are elected for this role, in the future?

Professor Suzanne Cory: I certainty think that it is important to have role models and hopefully women will be encouraged by the fact that women are in high places in Science around the country. But I think this represents but a small step towards encouraging more women into Science. The more important issue is keeping our best young women in Science, for their full careers, instead of having so many of them leave when they begin to have children.


Do most women not return to Science after having children?

Professor Suzanne Cory: A proportion return, but we lose too many.


What else do you hope to achieve whilst holding this prestigious role?

Professor Suzanne Cory: Australia's future depends on its prowess and ingenuity in Science, Engineering and Maths and I intend to play a very strong role in persuading government on the importance in investing in Science and scientific excellence. The Academy of Science has a very important role in ensuring that this is on the top of the table for Government. Australia is currently a very strong player, but we won't remain successful, in the face of fierce international competition, unless we keep investing, as a nation.

The Government's policies need to always be informed by the best scientific evidence; which is another area in which the Academy plays a strong role.


Do you believe that as a female you will be able to bring anything different to this role?

Professor Suzanne Cory: I think it is a non-gender role; everyone brings their own particular characteristics and personal experience to the role.


You have been a member of the Australian Academy of Science for 24 years; what have you seen change over those years?

Professor Suzanne Cory: Science has changed a lot, over that time. We are undergoing a revolution in the life sciences in particular. For us scientists, not just in the Academy, but around the world, Science is becoming increasingly exciting and rewarding. In regard to the Academy itself, the role in advising the Government has become increasingly important.


Who inspired you to begin a career in science?

Professor Suzanne Cory: I think if you ask every Scientist you meet, they will tell you it was one particular teacher at school who inspired them. That is certainly true of me. I had a fantastic Biology teacher, in year nine, who had a passion for Science. I had never met anyone before who was really passionate about Science and it was infectious. It kindled a love of Science in me that grew over the years, until I eventually decided to embark on a scientific career. Science teachers are incredibly important.