It is a privilege to present ACOLA’s Annual Report for 2024-25 – a year
defined by collaboration, and national impact. Together, we are
strengthening ACOLA’s role through the Academies, as a catalyst for
collaboration and a national voice for evidence-based policy and
innovation.Professor Louise Baur AM FAHMS
Chair, Board of Directors
ACOLA
Chair’s Report
Louise Baur
It is with great pleasure that I present the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) Annual Report for 2024–2025.
This year marked the beginning of a new chapter under the leadership of our CEO, Prerana Mehta, whose fresh perspective and energy have reinvigorated how ACOLA engages with the Learned Academies and our partners across government, industry, and the research community. Together, we are strengthening ACOLA’s role through the Academies, as a catalyst for collaboration and a national voice for evidence-based policy and
innovation.
Amid global uncertainty, misinformation, and fiscal restraint, ACOLA’s convening role has never been more critical. The volatility of the international research environment — particularly shifts in United States and regional policy settings — has reinforced the need for strategic prioritisation and efficiency in how ACOLA delivers its mission. The Board initiated a Strategic Review to ensure ACOLA remains sustainable, agile, and positioned for long-term impact.
The Review reaffirmed ACOLA’s purpose as a trusted intermediary between research and policy, while identifying new pathways to:
- Strengthen collaboration across the Academies and with government
- Diversify and stabilise revenue streams
- Maximise the visibility and influence of ACOLA’s interdisciplinary expertise
The Board received the Review findings in June 2025 and has endorsed a roadmap for implementation over the coming years. This will guide ACOLA’s evolution as a more connected, responsive, and future-focused organisation — one that continues to deliver rigorous, timely advice that benefits all Academies and serves the national interest.
Highlights from 2024–25 include:
- Deepening engagement across government, including with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and the Office of the Chief Scientist, the Department of Education, the Department of Social Services, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). These partnerships have reinforced ACOLA’s reputation as a trusted provider of evidence-based, interdisciplinary advice.
- Strengthening regional partnerships through our role as an Australia’s delivery partner for the DFAT-funded KONEKSI program in Indonesia. This work has strengthened Australia’s understanding of regional research ecosystems and informed strategies for shared innovation and capability building.
A key output this year was ACOLA’s report Mapping Australia’s Indonesia Research Capability, produced for the KONEKSI Program in collaboration with the Australian Academy of the Humanities. The study provided the first comprehensive analysis of Australia’s Indonesia-related research strengths and barriers to collaboration, offering a roadmap to deepen bilateral research ties and amplify joint impact.
Together with the CEO and leadership team, the Board looks forward to building on this year’s achievements, advancing ACOLA’s Strategic Review priorities, and continuing to shape a more innovative, inclusive, and sustainable future for Australia.
Professor Louise Baur AO FAHMS
Chair, Board of Directors
ACOLA
