Australian Society for Microbiology
| Abbreviation | ASM |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1959 |
| Founder | Nancy Atkinson |
| Founded at | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Type | Learned society; professional association |
| Legal status | Not-for-profit organisation; registered charity |
| Purpose | Advancement of microbiology in Australia |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
Region served | Australia |
President | Professor Mark Schembri |
Publication | Microbiology Australia |
| Website | www |
The Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) is an Australian learned society and professional association for microbiologists. It was established in Melbourne in 1959 and developed as a national society with branches in all Australian states.[1] The society describes itself as a not-for-profit organisation devoted to furthering the science of microbiology, with membership approaching 2,000.[2]
The society publishes Microbiology Australia, an open-access journal published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the ASM.[3][4] ASM has also contributed to professional standards and science-policy discussions in Australia, including microbiological culture collections, bioprospecting, infectious-disease testing quality control and scientific codes of ethics.[5][6]
History
By the late 1950s, microbiology had become established in Australian universities, but microbiologists generally met through broader scientific forums such as the congresses of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science.[7] The formation of a national microbiology society is closely associated with Nancy Atkinson, a bacteriologist at the University of Adelaide.
At the 1958 ANZAAS congress in Adelaide, Atkinson convened a meeting of about 50 scientists to discuss establishing a society dedicated to promoting microbiology in Australia, with a branch in every state. McEwin writes that Atkinson argued for a forum focused on current research and exchange of knowledge in microbiology, rather than relying on meetings devoted to science more generally.[7]
Following the meeting, Atkinson, Jack Harris of CSIRO and Lance Walters of the South Australian Brewing Company were appointed to draft a constitution.[7] The inaugural meeting of the Australian Society for Microbiology was held in May 1959 at University Women's College, University of Melbourne. Sydney D. Rubbo chaired the meeting, and Sir Macfarlane Burnet became the foundation president.[8]
Atkinson served as the society's first honorary treasurer from 1959 to 1962, was president from 1962 to 1964, and was later made an honorary life member. The society's annual scientific meeting has traditionally been opened with the Nancy Atkinson Bell.[7][9]
The Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation records ASM as a corporate body established in 1959 in Melbourne. In 2002, it had approximately 3,200 members and branches in all Australian states.[1] The society's current website states that its membership approaches 2,000.[2]
Organisation and membership
The ASM is a not-for-profit organisation formed in 1959 as a learned society devoted to furthering the science of microbiology. It became an incorporated professional society in 1976.[2] The society is organised through a council and governance structure, with committees that include special interest groups, state branches, and standing committees.[2]
Membership categories include student, associate, retired, reduced-employment, professional, fellow and sustaining membership.[10]
Professional membership, using the post-nominal MASM, is available to microbiologists whose experience and formal qualifications are assessed by the society as consistent with a professional level of commitment to microbiology. The society's criteria include degree-level or postgraduate qualifications in microbiology and at least 2 years of postgraduate work that contributes to the discipline.[10]
Fellowship, using the post-nominal FASM, is the society's highest professional qualification. Fellows are assessed as either specialists in their field or scientists who have made a significant contribution to the profession. Eligibility requires current professional membership and at least 10 years of work experience advancing microbiology.[10]
The Australian Business Register lists The Australian Society for Microbiology Incorporated as an active incorporated entity with ABN 24 065 463 274. It has been registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission since 3 December 2012.
Activities
The ASM supports the exchange of microbiological knowledge through publications, lectures, seminars, symposia, demonstrations and professional standards for microbiology practice.[11][3] Science & Technology Australia describes the society as promoting public awareness of microbiology and liaising with governments and professional bodies at state and federal levels.[11]
The society also holds national and branch meetings, including the ASM Annual National Meeting, and supports specialist conferences and events in areas of microbiology.
Publications
The society's journal is Microbiology Australia. The journal is published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the ASM.[3] The Directory of Open Access Journals lists Microbiology Australia as a peer-reviewed open-access journal with print ISSN 1324-4272 and online ISSN 2201-9189, covering topics including microbiology, viruses, infectious diseases, zoonoses and epidemiology.[4]
Public and professional role
ASM has contributed to professional and policy discussions involving microbiology in Australia. In a 2001 House of Representatives report on bioprospecting, evidence from ASM was cited regarding the condition of Australian microbial culture collections, the need for a national repository of organisms, and access and ownership issues affecting microorganisms and biological resources.[5]
In laboratory standards, the National Association of Testing Authorities reported in 2024 that ASM and the National Serology Reference Laboratory had developed guidelines on the use of quality controls for serology and nucleic acid tests used in infectious disease testing.[6]
Awards
The ASM presents awards recognising microbiology research, diagnostic microbiology, teaching, service, communication, student achievement and early-career achievement.[12] National awards include the Frank Fenner Award, Lyn Gilbert Award, Jim Pittard Early Career Award, David White Excellence in Teaching Award, Cheryl Power Early Career Microbiology Educator Award, Distinguished Service Award, Honorary Life Membership Award, Industry Engagement Award and Communications Award.[12]
The society also offers travel and development awards, including the Student and Early Career Researcher International Travel Award, Nancy Millis Student Travel Awards, Summer Student Research Award, Clinical Microbiology Travel Award, Teacher's Travel Award, USA Teacher's Travel Award and Dena Lyras Early Career Researcher Awards.[12]
Presidents
The following table lists current and past presidents of the Australian Society for Microbiology.[8]
| Term | President |
|---|---|
| 2022– | Professor Mark Schembri |
| 2018–2022 | Professor Dena Lyras |
| 2016–2018 | Professor Roy Robins-Browne |
| 2014–2016 | Professor Jon Iredell |
| 2012–2014 | Professor Paul Young |
| 2010–2012 | Professor John Turnidge |
| 2008–2010 | Professor Hatch Stokes |
| 2006–2008 | Associate Professor Keryn Christiansen |
| 2004–2006 | Professor Julian Rood |
| 2002–2004 | Professor David Ellis |
| 2000–2002 | Professor Gwendolyn Gilbert |
| 1998–2000 | Professor Ian Gust AO |
| 1996–1998 | Professor John Finlay-Jones |
| 1994–1996 | Dr Derk Groot-Obbink |
| 1992–1994 | Professor John Mackenzie |
| 1990–1992 | Professor Kerry Cox |
| 1988–1990 | Professor David White AO |
| 1986–1988 | Professor Anthony Wicken |
| 1984–1986 | Professor Barrie Marmion |
| 1982–1984 | Dr Gordon Rich |
| 1981–1982 | Professor Kevin Marshall |
| 1978–1981 | Professor Nancy Millis |
| 1976–1978 | Dr Eric French |
| 1975–1976 | Dr Peter Cooper |
| 1974–1975 | Dr Allan Ferris |
| 1973–1975 | Professor Ralph Doherty |
| 1972–1973 | Professor John Thonard |
| 1971–1972 | Dr John Christian |
| 1970–1971 | Dr Geoffrey Cooper |
| 1969–1970 | Professor Solomon Faine |
| 1968–1969 | Professor Neville Stanley |
| 1967–1968 | Professor James Vincent |
| 1965–1967 | Professor Victor Skerman |
| 1964–1965 | Professor Frank Fenner |
| 1962–1964 | Dr Nancy Atkinson |
| 1961–1962 | Dr Ian Mackerras |
| 1960–1961 | Professor Sydney Rubbo |
| 1959–1960 | Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet |
See also
References
- 1 2 "Australian Society for Microbiology - Corporate Body". Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation. Swinburne University of Technology. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "About Us". Australian Society for Microbiology. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Partner organisations". CSIRO Publishing. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Microbiology Australia". Directory of Open Access Journals. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- 1 2 Bioprospecting: Discoveries changing the future (PDF) (Report). House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries and Regional Services, Parliament of Australia. August 2001. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Guidelines on Quality Control for Infectious Disease Testing". National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 McEwin, Emma (2018). "Nancy Atkinson, bacteriologist, winemaker and writer" (PDF). Australian Journal of Biography and History. 1. Australian National University: 59–77. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- 1 2 "History". Australian Society for Microbiology. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ McEwin, Emma. "Nancy Atkinson (1910–1999)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Join the Society". Australian Society for Microbiology. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM)". Science & Technology Australia. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Member Awards". Australian Society for Microbiology. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
External links
- Official website
- Microbiology Australia at CSIRO Publishing