On January 21, 2025, Ronit Prawer started her new role as the Director of the International Science Council’s Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific, based in Australia. This position, part of a program funded by the Australian Government, focuses on integrating the unique needs of the Asia-Pacific region into global scientific discussions.
Prawer brings a wealth of experience in science diplomacy. She previously worked in Boston as the Director of Science and Innovation at the British Consulate, where she managed science partnerships between the US and the UK. A Fellow at the Centre for Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge, she is well-equipped to lead this initiative. Her goal is to ensure that voices from the Asia-Pacific are heard on the global stage.
Recently, the Regional Focal Point played a key role in launching the Pacific Academy of Sciences in Samoa, coinciding with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. This event highlighted the importance of fostering scientific collaboration in the region.
Both Chennupati Jagadish, President of the Australian Academy of Science, and Sir Peter Gluckman, President of the ISC, expressed their support for Prawer’s leadership. They emphasized the need for well-funded and collaborative science programs to address sustainability challenges in 2025.
“Today, we face a critical moment for science in our region,” Gluckman stated. “We need to ensure that scientific insights inform policy-making, especially during times of misinformation.”
Prawer herself is eager to work with scientists and organizations across the Asia-Pacific. “I’m honored to join this team,” she said. “Our region is rich in diversity and talent. Together, we can tackle pressing societal challenges through science and collaboration.”
Originally from Melbourne, Prawer holds degrees in genetics, biotechnology, English literature, and law from esteemed institutions. She was also recognized as a Senior Executive Fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in 2022.
The Australian Academy of Science also acknowledges Dr. Petra Lundgren for her significant contributions to the Regional Focal Point during her tenure.
