Adelaide Stock Exchange Building
| Company type | Nonprofit |
|---|---|
| Industry | Science communication |
| Founded | October 2009 |
| Founder | Baroness Professor Susan Greenfield (concept originator) |
| Headquarters | Adelaide , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Peter Yates (chair), Bradley Abraham (CEO and director), Alan Duffy (lead scientist) |
| Products | Cosmos Magazine website, SCINEMA International Science Film Festival, RiAus Education platform |
| Parent | Royal Institution of Great Britain (affiliated organisation) |
| Website | riaus |
The Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) is a national nonprofit scientific organisation headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia, dedicated to advancing science communication. Founded in October 2009, RiAus operates out of the historic Stock Exchange building, now known as The Science Exchange. It manages the Cosmos Magazine website and organises the SCINEMA International Science Film Festival.
History
The concept for the Royal Institution of Australia originated from Baroness Professor Susan Greenfield, who served as Thinker in Residence for the South Australian Government between 2004 and 2005 and was previously Director of the Royal Institution of Great Britain from 1998 to 2010. The establishment was made possible through funding secured by South Australian premier Mike Rann from state, federal, and private sources. Peter Yates was appointed as the first chairman.
During her residency, Greenfield proposed several initiatives aimed at enhancing cooperation among South Australian universities, developing science communication programs targeting children, providing professional development for educators, and founding the Australian Science Media Centre. One major suggestion was the Bragg Initiative, designed to strengthen connections between South Australia and the RiGB, which was subsequently embraced by the South Australian government.
The Bragg Initiative takes its name from Nobel Prize winners William Henry Bragg and William Lawrence Bragg, renowned for their work in X-ray crystallography and dedication to science outreach. The initiative was overseen within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet by Linda Cooper.
Renovations commenced in June 2008 on the former Adelaide Stock Exchange building to transform it into The Science Exchange. The Royal Institution of Australia was officially inaugurated on 8 October 2009 by HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, who serves as President of the Council of RiGB.
Initial partners included the Government of South Australia, Commonwealth Government, and oil and gas corporation Santos. RiAus offers a membership program with paid options for both corporate entities and individuals.
Adelaide Stock Exchange Building
The Royal Institution of Australia is based at The Science Exchange, a red brick structure situated between Pirie and Grenfell streets within the Adelaide city centre (53-57 Exchange Place). Originally constructed as the Adelaide Stock Exchange in 1887 by financial brokers and traders following similar establishments in other Australian capital cities, the building replaced earlier trading spaces on Pirie Street with a larger facility.
Architects Hedley Allen Dunn and Henry Fuller designed this Federation/Edwardian style building incorporating Arts and Crafts elements. A prominent feature is its stained glass window produced by Morris & Co, which includes panels designed by Edward Burne-Jones and crafted under chief designer John Henry Dearle. Businessman George Brookman donated this window, which celebrates Australian federation while allegorically representing British Empire federation ideals through figures such as Britannia alongside symbolic depictions of Africa, Canada, Australia, and British India. It stands among roughly 20 Morris Company windows across Australia, with 14 located in Adelaide alone.
Officially opened on 6 September 1901 by South Australian premier John Jenkins, the building endured fires in 1938 and 1982; however, its stained glass windows remained intact. The stock exchange functioned here until 1991. Following a vacancy period, it underwent refurbishment in 2009 for RiAus’s use, preserving many original features in its western wing while integrating modern design elements into the eastern section.
This building was added to the state heritage register on 8 November 1984 and is acknowledged by the Australian Institute of Architects as one of South Australia's 120 nationally significant buildings from the twentieth century.
Description
The Royal Institution of Australia stands as the sole affiliated organisation outside the United Kingdom linked to the Royal Institution of Great Britain (RiGB).
Functioning as a nationwide centre for science communication, it aims to enhance public engagement and comprehension of scientific topics under the mission of "connecting people with the world of science." The Institution highlights the significance of science in daily life through initiatives such as the Cosmos Magazine website, the SCINEMA International Science Film Festival, and the RiAus Education platform.
Financial and in-kind support for RiAus is provided by members, corporate collaborators, and philanthropic contributors.
Directors
The first director was Professor Gavin Brown AO, a Scottish mathematician who previously served as Vice Chancellor at both the University of Adelaide and University of Sydney.
After Brown stepped down, Jane Lomax-Smith took on the role of acting director between 2010 and 2011. From 2011 until July 2017, leadership was held by Paul Willis, a science communicator and paleontologist. In 2017, Bradley Abraham was appointed as CEO and director. Additionally, astronomer and physicist Alan Duffy from Swinburne University of Technology was named lead scientist by the council.
Council
The Royal Institution of Australia is overseen by a council. As of , its members include:
- Peter Yates AM, chair
- Will Berryman, who also serves as Executive Director
- Lyn Beazley, former Chief Scientist of Western Australia
- Christian Bennett
- Gregory Clark AC
- Tony Clark, co-founder and director of Rising Sun Pictures
- Rod Eddington AO
- David Knox
- Karen Dobson
- Caroline McMillen