Susannah Eliott

Eliott was awarded a PhD from Macquarie University as well as a Graduate Diploma in Journalism from UTS. She was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Adelaide for science communications.{{Cite web |title=Dr. Susannah Eliott |url=https://www.smc.org.au/about-us/staff/dr-susannah-eliott|website=Australian Science Media Centre}}

Her PhD involved researching soil microorganisms, known as slime moulds. She worked at the UTS Centre for Science Communication within the 1990s.

In 2000 Eliott took up a position in Stockholm, Sweden, as the director of communications at IGBP, which is a global research organisation which covers environmental change. In 2005 Eliott moved to Australia and helped found the Australian Science Media Centre.{{Cite web |title=Biographical note: Dr Susannah Eliott, Chief Executive Officer |url=https://www.smc.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/459374/Susannah-Eliott-bio-note-long-2019.pdf|website=Australian Science Media Centre}}

Eliott is a board member of the Environmental Institute at the University of Adelaide, as well as a judge for the Banksia Sustainability Awards. She has provided training on science communication and the media to institutions such as ANU,{{Cite web |title=Event Horizon |url=https://physics.anu.edu.au/intra/eventhorizon.php?Issue=595 |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=physics.anu.edu.au}}{{Cite web |title=Event Horizon |url=https://physics.anu.edu.au/intra/eventhorizon.php?Issue=593 |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=physics.anu.edu.au}} Her training often involves advice from journalists and experienced science communicators, on working in controversial fields, as well as navigating public engagement through media outlets.

Eliott is a mentor for the Superstars of STEM program, a judge on the Australian Museum Eureka Prize panel for Science Journalism,{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Eureka Prizes Judges |url=https://australian.museum/get-involved/eureka-prizes/eureka-prizes-judges/australian.museum/get-involved/eureka-prizes/eureka-prizes-judges/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=The Australian Museum |language=en}} and also a member of the Inspiring South Australia Steering Group.{{Cite web |title=Susannah Eliott |url=https://scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/profile/susannah-eliott/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Science and Technology Australia |language=en-AU}}

Eliott was also a member of the Climate Commission from 2011 to 2012, appointed together with Tim Flannery, Will Steffen, Lesley Hughes and others in 2011.{{Cite web |last=Perinotto |first=Tina |date=2011-02-10 |title=New Climate Commission: a voice but not on policy |url=http://thefifthestate.com.au/articles/new-climate-commission-a-voice-but-not-on-policy/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=The Fifth Estate |language=en-AU}} The role of the Climate Commission, established by the Gillard government was to:

“...provide expert advice on climate change science and impacts, and international action. It will help build the consensus required to move to a clean energy future.”{{Cite web |title=Launch of the climate commission |url=https://www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au/content/sustainability/news/launch-of-the-climate-commission-739695248 |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=www.sustainabilitymatters.net.au |language=en}}

Eliott has regularly appeared on the ABC Radio National's Drive program with Patricia Karvelas, discussing issues including climate change.{{Cite web |date=2013-04-03 |title=Research Filter: Climate change, the health halo effect, and puberty blues |url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-drive/research-filter3a-climate-change2c-the-health-halo-effect2c-/4608128 |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=ABC listen |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |date=2013-03-13 |title=Research Filter: Fat insomniacs, unhealthy mummies, and climate change |url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-drive/research-filter3a-fat-insomniacs2c-unhealthy-mummies2c-and-c/4570916 |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=ABC listen |language=en-AU}} She has commented in the media frequently regarding environmental advocates, including prizes for people who volunteer their time for community.{{Citation |last=Griep |first=Mark A. |title=Good News: Research and Medicinal Chemists Making a Difference |date=2009-09-10 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195326925.003.0013 |work=ReAction! |access-date=2023-11-11 |publisher=Oxford University Press |last2=Mikasen |first2=Marjorie L.}} Eliott has also commented on the need for quality media in The Lancet.{{Cite web |title=The Lancet |url=https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(11)60078-0.pdf}} She has commented on climate and extreme weather events, and the need for evidence-based reporting:

“Issues such as climate change and extreme weather are vitally important to Australia and it’s critical that we get clear and accurate information from our media outlets. Bringing scientists and journalists together to work collaboratively on these important topics will help all Australians get the information they need.”{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=B&T |date=2020-03-09 |title=News Corp Launches New Changing Climate Series |url=https://www.bandt.com.au/news-corp-launches-new-changing-climate-series/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=B&T |language=en-US}}

“We are very concerned about the impact of this action on the quality of information reaching the public. Facebook is used by many non-news organisations to distribute evidence-based information to the public on critical issues such as vaccines, pandemics, climate change and extreme weather events. Social media platforms have a responsibility to enable the sharing of accurate information on these key topics and not increase the prominence of misinformation.”{{Cite web |title=Statement on Facebook blocking science expertise {{!}} Australian Academy of Science |url=https://www.science.org.au/news-and-events/news-and-media-releases/statement-facebook-blocking-science-expertise |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=www.science.org.au |language=en}}

• 2023 - Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technlological Sciences and Engineering.{{Cite web |title=Susannah Eliott FTSE |url=https://www.atse.org.au/our-fellows/2023-new-fellows/susannah-eliott-ftse/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=ATSE |language=en}}
• 2016 - Honorary doctorate from the University of Adelaide.

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.atse.org.au/our-fellows/2023-new-fellows/susannah-eliott-ftse/ ATSE Fellows]
• [https://www.smc.org.au/about-us/staff/dr-susannah-eliott Australian Science Media Centre]
• [https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/managing-your-course/graduation/past-speakers-and-speeches/2017/susannah-eliott UTS past speakers]

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Category:Living people

Category:Australian women scientists

Category:Australian science communicators

Category:Fellows of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)