Australian Museum Research Unit Launch

AM Director Kim McKay, AM Scientists and Arts Minister Troy Grant
AM Director Kim McKay, AM Scientists and Arts Minister Troy Grant

This week the Minister for the Arts, Troy Grant, announced the official launch of the Australian Museum’s newest directive, the Australian Museum Research Institute. This initiative brings together a team of 70 scientists and over 100 associates who, through scientific research and communication, will work together to increase our ability to understand and respond to challenges facing the planet.

“Through its work, the Research Institute is inspiring a generation of new scientists dedicated to the conservation of our natural environment,” said Mr Grant.

Sandy Ingleby, mammologist showcasing our collections
Sandy Ingleby, mammologist showcasing our collections

The Australian Museum in Sydney’s CBD is well known as one of the country’s leading cultural attractions, with historically rich displays that document the enironmental and cultural archeology of Australia and the Pacific. The museum houses the largest collection of objects in the country with over 18 million artifacts, fossils, minerals and native insect and animal specimens, a collection that underpins its world-class innovative research. Under the fresh direction of newly appointed director and CEO, Kim McKay AO, the museum will take on a number of structural and internal transformations that will aid and advance the profound scientific research, discovery and developments that are achieved by the museum’s scientists each year.

“The Australian Museum’s science has been going for 150 years, but the institute gives it a renewed focus and will raise public awareness of what we do here,” said Ms McKay at the launch on Monday. “Ultimately, we are working towards protecting Australia’s biodiersity and environment in numerous ways.”

The Institute will have a heavy focus on pioneering research into today’s most prevalent challenges, including the impact of climate change on biodiversity, the detection and control of pest species, understanding what constitutes and influences effective biodiversity conservation and improving biosecurity.

McKay explained that this research has an immense practical impact on the way Australians travel, live and enjoy the environment.

“One example is how our DNA labs come into play within the aviation industry; we do all the research in the industry on bird strikes- when a flock of birds hits a 747 Jet engine, it literally crumples the blades. We work on what bird species it is, why the flocks are there and how we can avoid those situations,” she explained.

The impressive collections are not only used for the Museum’s scientific exploration, however, often lending its internationally recognised catalogue to domestic and foreign scientists from all over the world, aiding research in multiple fields.

“I don’t even think most people realised we did science here until today,” she says. “We are very committed to putting it front and centre of everything we do at the museum, we are expanding our research and just generally dialing it up.”