ACDS Statement on European Southern Observatory membership

The Australian Council of Deans of Science (ACDS) has issued a statement expressing deep concern at the Australian Government’s decision not to proceed with membership of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) when the current partnership concludes in mid-2027. The full statement is available here.

ACDS notes that this decision sits uneasily with the Ambitious Australia report’s call for sustained support for Australia’s world-class foundational research base. Astronomy is one of Australia’s strongest areas of international research performance, and university science plays a central role in sustaining that strength, building STEM capability, and supporting future innovation.

In its statement, ACDS highlights concerns including:

• reduced opportunities for early- and mid-career researchers
• risks to sovereign capability in high-skill, technology-intensive fields
• flow-on effects for physical and mathematical sciences in universities
• the loss of wider economic and innovation benefits linked to astronomy

ACDS will continue to advocate for sustained investment in university science and in the foundational disciplines that underpin Australia’s long-term research strength.

Download the full statement