The row at Australia’s biggest scientific facility is growing faster than you can say ‘synchrotron’.
A significant number of scientists have now quit their advisory roles with the Australian Synchrotron in a row over the chairwoman of the facility’s governing board, Catherine Walter.
After the synchrotron’s director was fired and its staff went on strike the facility’s Science Advisory Committee demanded Walter’s resignation over the ‘culture clash’ they blamed her for between science and business interests (see: Culture clash at Australian synchrotron).
However, Gustav Nossal, a biologist who was brought in to champion the synchrotron, says he will create a new scientific body to advise the board (The Australian).
Exactly how many scientists have resigned as a result of the continuation of Walter’s reign is unclear. ABC says three “plan to resign” and up to seven of the nine advisors “could leave” (it’s not clear why the other two couldn’t, if they wished, leave). The Age says “at least six” members have quit while The Australian says four have gone.
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