Attendees: Sara Baratchi, Sarah Boyle, Charles Cox, Boris Martinac, Maté Biro, Peter Newman, Martin Fronius, Melanie White, Murron Carroll, Kathryn Stok, Marco Enriquez, Yu Suk Choi, Qian Peter Su
Apologies: Anne Lagendijk
President's Report
Sara Baratchi welcomed the council.
Treasurer's Report
Charles Cox reported nothing major.
Secretary's Report
Sarah Boyle updated council on the travel award process.
Item 1: ISMB Meeting in Glasgow
Two applications were received. Council reviewed and decided to award both.
Action items:
- Sarah Boyle to check on expectations from the Society (acknowledgement, conference report/summary, pictures) then email the awardees.
- Charles Cox to reimburse after travel has occurred.
- Peter Newman to add details to the website after travel has occurred.
Item 2: AuSMB Workshop
The Research and Strategy Workshop will be held at the Melbourne Connect Studio space, 11–12 November 2026.
Sara Baratchi estimated $8,000 in sponsorship would be required to make registration free for members (based on $1,600 venue, $160 pp catering for 2 days, 40 attendees). Dinner an extra $4,000. Overall cost per person $200, tiered by career stage and membership status. There will be space for posters and sponsor exhibits.
Boris Martinac discussed the Springer Book as one agenda item at the workshop (writing individual chapters, suggested 10–15 chapters). Springer sponsorship would take the form of book vouchers, which could be awarded e.g. to students that present.
Maté Biro and Peter Newman suggested a workshop item centred on collaborative submissions for ARC DP EOIs.
Charles Cox confirmed that sponsorship monies can go straight to PayPal or the account; individual receipts can be generated.
Springer Book: additional editors are needed as Boris Martinac is editor for the whole book. Sara Baratchi to include as a workshop item.
Action items:
- Sara Baratchi to coordinate sponsorship, prepare the agenda and flyer, and contact council members as required for organising the meeting.
- Sarah Boyle to send out details and the flyer to members.
- Peter Newman to add the workshop to the website.
- Council members to contact Sara Baratchi with any potential invitees for talks.
Item 3: Website Updates
Travel award recipients (once judged and travel undertaken) and the workshop advertisement to be added to the website.
Action items: Peter Newman to update as appropriate.
Item 4: Additional Council Members
No contact from Remy Brynn; council decided not to pursue their involvement. A call for a new D&I representative is needed.
Action items: Sarah Boyle to send an email to members with an interest in D&I.
Item 5: Membership Fee Structure
New fee structure confirmed:
- Student: $30/year, $75/3 years
- Postdoc: $100/year, $250/3 years
- Lab Head: $200/year, $500/3 years
Council decided that memberships will run for the calendar year from now on. As most members are covered until November 2026, new memberships will commence in 2027.
Action items:
- Charles Cox to alter the membership form.
- Peter Newman to update the website.
Matters Arising
Some council members, including the President, do not yet have access to the Google Drive. Peter Newman to provide access.
Sarah Boyle raised the idea of a biannual or quarterly newsletter; council were in favour. Sarah Boyle to organise, starting mid-year, and to email members soon to request content.
Maté Biro asked about member videos for the website. Kathryn Stok and Sara Baratchi to work with Peter Newman. Peter Newman to send questions; interviewees to record themselves on an iPhone; Peter Newman will give advice on sharing files (likely Google Drive) and edit the videos for upload.
Next meeting to be held in August. Sarah Boyle to send out a poll in July.