SCIENTISTS and science supporters will be out in force this Saturday in Adelaide, as part of a global push to recognise the importance of scientific research.
The March for Science will take place in 11 cities in Australia, as well as overseas.
A website for the march calls this a “celebration of science”.
“It's not only about scientists and politicians; it is about the very real role that science plays in each of our lives and the need to respect and encourage research that gives us insight into the world,” it reads.
Lead organiser at the Cairns event, Adjunct Professor Steve Turton, Central Queensland University, said science underpins much of the local economy, including the sustainable use of internationally recognised assets such as the Great Barrier Reef, as well as key industries such as tourism, agriculture and fishing.
Australian Academy of Science secretary for science policy Les Field is the said the march was a way to support scientific research overseas.
”The importance of building scientific literacy in society, so that as many people as possible understand and participate in public debate, particularly on technical and scientific issues, cannot be underestimated,” he said.
Marches will take place within Australia in Adelaide, Bendigo, Vic, Brisbane, Cairns, Qld, Canberra, Hobart, Launceston, Tas, Melbourne, Newcastle, NSW, Perth, Sydney and Townsville, Qld.