Australian Society for Microbiology

The Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) is an Australian learned society and professional association for microbiologists. It was established in Melbourne in 1959 and developed as a national society with branches in all Australian states. The society describes itself as a not-for-profit organisation devoted to furthering the science of microbiology, with membership approaching 2,000.

The society publishes Microbiology Australia, an open-access journal published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the ASM. ASM has also contributed to professional standards and science-policy discussions in Australia, including microbiological culture collections, bioprospecting, infectious-disease testing quality control and scientific codes of ethics.

History

By the late 1950s, microbiology had become established in Australian universities, but microbiologists generally met through broader scientific forums such as the congresses of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science. The formation of a national microbiology society is closely associated with Nancy Atkinson, a bacteriologist at the University of Adelaide.

At the 1958 ANZAAS congress in Adelaide, Atkinson convened a meeting of about 50 scientists to discuss establishing a society dedicated to promoting microbiology in Australia, with a branch in every state. McEwin writes that Atkinson argued for a forum focused on current research and exchange of knowledge in microbiology, rather than relying on meetings devoted to science more generally.

Following the meeting, Atkinson, Jack Harris of CSIRO and Lance Walters of the South Australian Brewing Company were appointed to draft a constitution. The inaugural meeting of the Australian Society for Microbiology was held in May 1959 at University Women's College, University of Melbourne. Sydney D. Rubbo chaired the meeting, and Sir Macfarlane Burnet became the foundation president.

Atkinson served as the society's first honorary treasurer from 1959 to 1962, was president from 1962 to 1964, and was later made an honorary life member. The society's annual scientific meeting has traditionally been opened with the Nancy Atkinson Bell.

The Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation records ASM as a corporate body established in 1959 in Melbourne. In 2002, it had approximately 3,200 members and branches in all Australian states. The society's current website states that its membership approaches 2,000.

Organisation and membership

The ASM is a not-for-profit organisation formed in 1959 as a learned society devoted to furthering the science of microbiology. It became an incorporated professional society in 1976. The society is organised through a council and governance structure, with committees that include special interest groups, state branches, and standing committees.

Membership categories include student, associate, retired, reduced-employment, professional, fellow and sustaining membership.

Professional membership, using the post-nominal MASM, is available to microbiologists whose experience and formal qualifications are assessed by the society as consistent with a professional level of commitment to microbiology. The society's criteria include degree-level or postgraduate qualifications in microbiology and at least 2 years of postgraduate work that contributes to the discipline.

Fellowship, using the post-nominal FASM, is the society's highest professional qualification. Fellows are assessed as either specialists in their field or scientists who have made a significant contribution to the profession. Eligibility requires current professional membership and at least 10 years of work experience advancing microbiology.

The Australian Business Register lists The Australian Society for Microbiology Incorporated as an active incorporated entity with ABN 24 065 463 274. It has been registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission since 3 December 2012.

Activities

The ASM supports the exchange of microbiological knowledge through publications, lectures, seminars, symposia, demonstrations and professional standards for microbiology practice. Science & Technology Australia describes the society as promoting public awareness of microbiology and liaising with governments and professional bodies at state and federal levels.

The society also holds national and branch meetings, including the ASM Annual National Meeting, and supports specialist conferences and events in areas of microbiology.

Publications

The society's journal is Microbiology Australia. The journal is published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the ASM. The Directory of Open Access Journals lists Microbiology Australia as a peer-reviewed open-access journal with print ISSN 1324-4272 and online ISSN 2201-9189, covering topics including microbiology, viruses, infectious diseases, zoonoses and epidemiology.

Public and professional role

ASM has contributed to professional and policy discussions involving microbiology in Australia. In a 2001 House of Representatives report on bioprospecting, evidence from ASM was cited regarding the condition of Australian microbial culture collections, the need for a national repository of organisms, and access and ownership issues affecting microorganisms and biological resources.

In laboratory standards, the National Association of Testing Authorities reported in 2024 that ASM and the National Serology Reference Laboratory had developed guidelines on the use of quality controls for serology and nucleic acid tests used in infectious disease testing.

Awards

The ASM presents awards recognising microbiology research, diagnostic microbiology, teaching, service, communication, student achievement and early-career achievement. National awards include the Frank Fenner Award, Lyn Gilbert Award, Jim Pittard Early Career Award, David White Excellence in Teaching Award, Cheryl Power Early Career Microbiology Educator Award, Distinguished Service Award, Honorary Life Membership Award, Industry Engagement Award and Communications Award.

The society also offers travel and development awards, including the Student and Early Career Researcher International Travel Award, Nancy Millis Student Travel Awards, Summer Student Research Award, Clinical Microbiology Travel Award, Teacher's Travel Award, USA Teacher's Travel Award and Dena Lyras Early Career Researcher Awards.

Presidents

The following table lists current and past presidents of the Australian Society for Microbiology.

Term President 2022– Professor Mark Schembri 2018–2022 Professor Dena Lyras 2016–2018 Professor Roy Robins-Browne 2014–2016 Professor Jon Iredell 2012–2014 Professor Paul Young 2010–2012 Professor John Turnidge 2008–2010 Professor Hatch Stokes 2006–2008 Associate Professor Keryn Christiansen 2004–2006 Professor Julian Rood 2002–2004 Professor David Ellis 2000–2002 Professor Gwendolyn Gilbert 1998–2000 Professor Ian Gust AO 1996–1998 Professor John Finlay-Jones 1994–1996 Dr Derk Groot-Obbink 1992–1994 Professor John Mackenzie 1990–1992 Professor Kerry Cox 1988–1990 Professor David White AO 1986–1988 Professor Anthony Wicken 1984–1986 Professor Barrie Marmion 1982–1984 Dr Gordon Rich 1981–1982 Professor Kevin Marshall 1978–1981 Professor Nancy Millis 1976–1978 Dr Eric French 1975–1976 Dr Peter Cooper 1974–1975 Dr Allan Ferris 1973–1975 Professor Ralph Doherty 1972–1973 Professor John Thonard 1971–1972 Dr John Christian 1970–1971 Dr Geoffrey Cooper 1969–1970 Professor Solomon Faine 1968–1969 Professor Neville Stanley 1967–1968 Professor James Vincent 1965–1967 Professor Victor Skerman 1964–1965 Professor Frank Fenner 1962–1964 Dr Nancy Atkinson 1961–1962 Dr Ian Mackerras 1960–1961 Professor Sydney Rubbo 1959–1960 Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet

Australian Society for Microbiology

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