MICROSCOPY STRATEGIC ADVISORY GROUP

ANU members of the Microscopy Strategic Advisory Group met on Thursday 9th May 2002 in the Faculty Board Room, RSBS.

Present were: Prof. John Gibson (Chair), Dr Paul Cooper (BoZo), Dr Ian Jackson (RSES), Dr Tim Senden (RSPhysSE), Dr Zbigniew Stachurski (FEIT), Dr Sally Stowe (ANUEMU), Dr Helen O’Neill (BAMBI), Dr Ray Withers (RSC)

In Attendance: Ms Kirsty Wade

Documents tabled: ANUEMU Annual Report 2001, Report on CM300 Transmission Electron Microscope for 2001, ANUEMU Users’ Survey 2001. Email to DVC from Prof.Gibson, Financial Reports.

1. Apologies: Dr Bruce Walmsley (JCSMR).

2. Minutes. The minutes of the meeting of 8th August 2001 were confirmed.

3. Coordinator’s Report.

3.1 Dr Stowe requested that the ANUEMU Annual Report for 2001 be noted, and asked for comments. Dr. Jackson voiced the Committee’s appreciation of a well designed and complete report.

3.2 Purchase of Focused Ion Beam. Dr Stowe reported on the sources of funds for the purchase.
UNSW - $10K
ARC- $320K
MEC-$150K
EM Reserve –$499K
The preferred option was an Orsay Physics gallium ion gun on a JEOL 6460 tungsten-filament SEM, with JEOL Australia acting as the single vendor.

3.3 User Survey. Dr Stowe tabled the results, as at 8th May, of the 2001 ANUEMU Users’ Survey. Responses had been lower than usual, probably indicating that users were reasonably satisfied with the facility. The only major equipment item with significant support was the need to plan for a replacement analytical SEM.

4. Role of MSTAG, Microscopy Sub-Committee and the Research Committee.
Prof. Gibson reported that a new Microscopy Sub-committee of the Research Committee has been formed. Its composition and functions, given on http://www.anu.edu.au/cabs/researchcom/subcommittees.html are:

The Committee is responsible to the Research Committee through the Research Equipment and Infrastructure Chair (REIC) for:

* recommendations of financial support for ARC applicants (external and internal).
* recommendations for internal financial support for Infrastructure Research Equipment.
* provide the Chair with information relating to funding for Infrastructure Research Equipment.

Membership:
-Director of the Research School of Biological Sciences (Chair).
· five (5) members based on interested ANU Schools/Faculties/Centres, for a term of three years to 31 December :

· one member from JCSMR
· one member from RSC
· one member from the Faculties
· one member from RSPhysSE
· one member from RSES

· REIC as ex-officio member

· EMU Manager -observer status only.

The MIC Sub-Committee is to be assisted by a member of the Research School of Biological Sciences, providing part-time Secretariat support as required.

The Microscopy Advisory Group (MSTAG) advises and supports the Microscopy Sub - Committee (MIC) through the Chair. The Group expressed concern that the members of MIC will be Directors rather than actual users who are familiar with the technology. The Chair suggested that the Group should meet before major equipment bids are considered by MIC so that MSTAG could discuss procedures for vetting.

The MSTAG agreed to meet when the need was warranted.

5. Funding.
Dr Stowe emphasised that the recurrent budget for the unit, with the imposition of the ARC levy for several years, would very soon be insufficient for the demands placed upon it. Members of the group expressed concerns that the EM Reserve would not be adequate if many areas had access to it. The Chair suggested that the DVC be approached for a revised tri-annual budget, for removal of the ARC levy and clarification of the role of the EM Reserve. The Group agreed unanimously.

6. Web-based Discussions
Dr Stowe asked if the Group thought that web-based discussion forums would be worthwhile, and if Group members were likely to participate. The Group agreed that web-based discussions should continue, and that they should be publicly accessible.

7. Other business.

7.1 National Institute of Bioscience – Prof Gibson, Convenor of the National Institute of Bioscience, informed the Group that the ANUEMU would be showcased within the prospectus.

7.2 The Group congratulated Roger Heady for his “Micro Creatures” feature in the Daily Telegraph, Canberra Times, and his very successful exhibition at the School of Art.

The Meeting closed at 3.25pm.