Based at the National Heritage-listed Shine Dome in Canberra, the Australian Academy of Science is a Fellowship of more than 520 of the nation's top scientists who live and work in Australia and around the world. New Fellows are elected annually for their personal contributions to science. We were founded on 16 February 1954 by Australian Fellows of the Royal Society of London, with the distinguished physicist Sir Mark Oliphant as founding President. Our mission is to provide independent, authoritative and influential scientific advice, promote international scientific engagement, build public awareness and understanding of science, and champion, celebrate and support excellence in Australian science.