Australian Marine Sciences Association
AMSA was formed in 1962 and was incorporated in the Australian Capital Territory in 1980. AMSA is run in accordance with a Constitution, first drafted in 1963 and revised as necessity has demanded.
Advancing Marine Science in Australia
AMSA is Australia's major professional association for marine scientists from all disciplines. The primary goal of AMSA is to advance marine science and its understanding in Australia. AMSA works to promote liaison and foster cooperation between the diverse organisations/institutions and workers across Australia in the many disciplines of marine science, through:
- regular publication of a Bulletin;
- holding an annual conference and other specialist meetings; and
- its website and
- associated email discussion list.
AMSA's primary event is its annual conference, held usually in the July AVCC week each year and hosted by different AMSA branches around Australia.
As well as operating nationally, AMSA has active Branches in most States and Territories.
Membership is open to scientists, high school teachers, science students and corporate bodies engaged in marine research, policy, teaching and management. AMSA also strongly encourages and supports the membership of postgraduate students and offers a range of awards for its student members.
Benefits of Membership
AMSA members benefit in many ways, some of which are listed below:
- Receipt of the Australian Marine Science Bulletin
- Participation in, and reduced registration for, the AMSA Annual Conference, which is rotated annually in around Australian states and territories
- Participation in postgraduate workshops
- Participation in activities of state branches, which operate in most regions
- Participation in professional development training courses
- Student prizes and awards
- Mentoring of the next generation of marine scientists by leaders in different fields
- Notification of career opportunities
- Notification of postdoc scholarship opportunities
- Notification of opportunities for voluntary work
- Access advice from Australian scientific journal editors
- Contribution to government marine science policies (e.g. scientific diving, marine research infrastructure and facilities, biodiversity conservation, skills shortages, general marine policy)
- Participation in FASTS (the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies), which provides an important collective voice to the government on science issues
- Participation as an AMSA representative in Science Meets Parliament, an opportunity to challenge parliamentarians on science policy
- Access to the AMSA mailing list, which any member may use to disseminate information and to stimulate discussion on marine science matters
- Receipt of information on new developments in marine science and technology
- Knowledge sharing between researchers, and dissemination of knowledge on the marine environment to the wider public
- Networking of scientists for development of research opportunities and multidisciplinary collaboration, including facilitation of grant proposals
- Development of long-term friendships amongst individuals sharing common interest.
Link to a more comprehensive overview of the benefits of AMSA membership.