The Australian Association of Scientific Workers (AASW) was formed in 1939 as a grassroots and industry-focussed alternative to the existing scientific societies. It was disbanded in 1949 as a result of political attacks in a climate of Cold War hysteria.[1]
The association comprised a federal council as well as divisions in each of Australia's six states.[2] Various subcommittees were set up to study various problems and provide practical solutions. One of these was the drugs subcommittee, which investigated the synthesis of drugs critical to the war effort, while the shipping routes whereby these drugs were imported were under threat.[3] The association was also concerned with the transfer of scientific workers from wartime to peacetime projects once hostilities ceased, and encouraged debate on the social responsibility of science. The AAWS was suspected by ASIO of communist ties, resulting in at least one of its members (Sprigg) being placed under surveillance.[4]
The federal council's records are held by the Australian National University archives.[2]
Victor Trikojus, biochemist (founding member, chairman 1939–44, head of drugs subcommittee, 1940–1)[2]
Referencesedit
^ abBuckley-Moran, Jean (1986). "Australian Scientists and the Cold War" (PDF). In Baker, Ann; Manwell, Clyde; Pugh, Cedric (eds.). Intellectual Suppression: Australian case histories—analysis and responses. Sydney: Angus & Robertson. pp. 11–23. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
^ abcdefCentre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology. "Australian Association of Scientific Workers - Corporate Body - Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation". www.eoas.info. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
^ abHumphreys, Leonhard Ross (2004). Trikojus: a scientist for interesting times. Carlton, Victoria: Miegunyah Press. ISBN978-0-522-85095-6.
^ abWeidenbach, Kristin. Rock Star. Adelaide: East Street Publications. p. 332. ISBN978-1-921037-29-0.
^Grahame, Rachel, "Kathleen Margaret Maria Sherrard (1898–1975)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 2024-02-10
April 16, 2024
australian, association, scientific, workers, aasw, formed, 1939, grassroots, industry, focussed, alternative, existing, scientific, societies, disbanded, 1949, result, political, attacks, climate, cold, hysteria, association, comprised, federal, council, well. The Australian Association of Scientific Workers AASW was formed in 1939 as a grassroots and industry focussed alternative to the existing scientific societies It was disbanded in 1949 as a result of political attacks in a climate of Cold War hysteria 1 The association comprised a federal council as well as divisions in each of Australia s six states 2 Various subcommittees were set up to study various problems and provide practical solutions One of these was the drugs subcommittee which investigated the synthesis of drugs critical to the war effort while the shipping routes whereby these drugs were imported were under threat 3 The association was also concerned with the transfer of scientific workers from wartime to peacetime projects once hostilities ceased and encouraged debate on the social responsibility of science The AAWS was suspected by ASIO of communist ties resulting in at least one of its members Sprigg being placed under surveillance 4 The federal council s records are held by the Australian National University archives 2 Members editAdrien Albert chemist drugs subcommittee 1939 3 Eric Ashby later Baron Ashby botanist 2 Eric Burhop physicist founding member 1939 2 J W Legge biochemist founding member 1 Alan Newton surgeon 2 Kathleen Sherrard geologist and paleontologist founding member 1939 5 Reg Sprigg geologist secretary 1943 4 Victor Trikojus biochemist founding member chairman 1939 44 head of drugs subcommittee 1940 1 2 References edit a b Buckley Moran Jean 1986 Australian Scientists and the Cold War PDF In Baker Ann Manwell Clyde Pugh Cedric eds Intellectual Suppression Australian case histories analysis and responses Sydney Angus amp Robertson pp 11 23 Retrieved 2024 01 06 a b c d e f Centre for Transformative Innovation Swinburne University of Technology Australian Association of Scientific Workers Corporate Body Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation www eoas info Retrieved 2024 02 10 a b Humphreys Leonhard Ross 2004 Trikojus a scientist for interesting times Carlton Victoria Miegunyah Press ISBN 978 0 522 85095 6 a b Weidenbach Kristin Rock Star Adelaide East Street Publications p 332 ISBN 978 1 921037 29 0 Grahame Rachel Kathleen Margaret Maria Sherrard 1898 1975 Australian Dictionary of Biography Canberra National Centre of Biography Australian National University retrieved 2024 02 10 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Australian Association of Scientific Workers amp oldid 1207013595, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
