Scott Watkins

Professor Richard Robson wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry University of Melbourne Professor Richard Robson is one of three scientists awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Richard was recognised for his work developing Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs). Thoroughly deserved recognition of a great of Australian chemist. Richard is the 16th Australian to be awarded a Nobel Prize, the second for Chemistry.

www.unimelb.edu.au/newsroom/new...

University of Melbourne professor wins Nobel Prize Richard Robson, 88, was among three scientists who won the award in chemistry for the development of metal-organic frameworks.

A huge congratulations to Professor Richard Robson from the University of Melbourne who was today one of the recipients of the Nobel Prize for #chemistry.

www.theage.com.au/national/vic...

A huge congratulations to the authors: Sangeun(Lena) Kim, Narai Kim, Saeyoung Park, Serena Jeong, Minyoung Kim, Sarah Soeun Lee, Victoria Yi, EJ Choi, Yousun Lim, and Jennifer R. as well as editor extraordinaire Josie Daw.

Purchase the ebook now on Amazon.

a.co/d/9C8Rn5X

This project began under an initiative sponsored by the UK Embassy in Korea which resulted in the group’s first book, published in Korean. This second book, written in English, draws on perspectives observed during their visit to Melbourne earlier this year.

I’ve had the privilege of getting to know this group and they’re all amazing. I strongly recommend this book for its insights into leadership and career development. The book is especially relevant to people who work in Korea or with colleagues in Korea.

Their stories are powerful acts of self-determination: sometimes raw, deeply honest, and ultimately inspiring.

a.co/d/9C8Rn5X

One of the projects supported by the Australia-Korea Foundation in 2025 is now in print.

“Be the key” is a collection of deeply personal essays from ten Korean women, each sharing their journeys of navigating careers, culture, identity and the unspoken barriers that shape women’s lives in Korea.

Great! These songs all mean a lot to me.

Day 31: “Looking Forward: A song that gives you optimism”

i’m posting this from the start line of the Sydney marathon. This is a song for everyone who longs to love.

“The heart is a muscle” by Gang of Youths.

youtu.be/Y5OpvDdVtYU?...

#SongSharingChallenge

Day 30: “Killer Videos: Your favourite music video”

This pioneered the music video genre and is one of my favourite artists.

“Sledgehammer” by Peter Gabriel.

youtu.be/OJWJE0x7T4Q?...

#SongSharingChallenge

Day 29: “Friday on My Mind: A song from an early pioneer of Australian rock/pop music”

Johnny then John Farnham was a huge presence in my life growing up. His rendition of this song is striking.

“Help (live)” by John Farnham.

youtu.be/DgmNi-0atb4?...

#SongSharingChallenge

Day 28: “Nearly Finished: A beautiful sad/melancholy song”

I only discovered this song recently. Trepidation is how I’d sum it up.

“Once upon a poolside” by The National.

youtu.be/-0v_D7nAc1k?...

#SongSharingChallenge

Day 27: “The Joy of Sax: A song featuring the saxophone”

I’ve always loved Billy and this is a great tune, particularly live.

“Scenes from an Italian Restaurant ” by Billy Joel.

youtu.be/6Jn9b1gZFnE?...

#SongSharingChallenge

Day 26: “From the Screen: A song you first heard in a movie”

From the film “The Last Kiss”. This introduced me to the wonderful Imogen Heap.

“Hide and Seek” by Imogen Heap.

youtu.be/UYIAfiVGluk?...

#SongSharingChallenge

Day 25: “25 Years Ago: A song from 2000”

I can vividly remember walking away from UNSW, at the end of 2000, having finished my PhD, ready to see the world.

“These days” by Powderfinger.

youtu.be/7XaSm9-r_4U?...

#SongSharingChallenge

Day 24: “24 Hours: A song you could listen to on repeat for 24 straight hours”

There are many songs I’d happily listen to repeatedly. I chose to maximise variety by choosing my favourite long song. The 23 minute epic.

“Supper’s Ready” by Genesis.

youtu.be/K04HYw25zdY?...

#SongSharingChallenge

Day 23: “Guilty Pleasures: A song you're sheepish about loving so much”

I don’t feel guilt about any music I really love so I used this as a tactical opportunity to share a song choice that might seem slightly surprising.

“Anything” by Griff.

youtu.be/t84rj514gs0?...

#SongSharingChallenge

Day 22: “Pair of 2s: A duet”.

I’ve chosen the duet we didn’t know we needed, Australia’s latest supergroup, featuring Paul Dempsey and Bernard Fanning.

“Disconnect” by Fanning Dempsey National Park.

youtu.be/Kx_r-carbFA?...

#SongSharingChallenge

Australia doesn’t really “do” winter if we’re honest. So I’ve gone to the Northern Hemisphere and one of my favourite bands for this one.

“A long December” by Counting Crows

youtu.be/1D5PtyrewSs?...

#SongSharingChallenge

I really love this song. It came to me in a Thai restaurant. It’s a “love song for the lonely.” A satellite call is the signal sent out to say “I’m still here for you”.

#SongSharingChallenge

Day 20: “Hate the Artist / Love the Song: A song you love from an artist you don't”

This was hard as there’s no one I “hate”. So I chose the song where I love this song more than the rest of their catalogue by the greatest magnitude.

“Satellite call” by Sara Bareilles

youtu.be/LOLtJ4pPisg?...

Meg Washington and Alanis Morissette have been hugely influential on me but I had to choose the greatest modern Australian singer.

Day 19: “Sisters Doing It For Themselves: A song from a female solo artist.”

I wanted to pick an artist I’d not featured.

“Space they cannot touch” by Kate Miller-Heidke

youtu.be/x0Q4zM-qh6o?...

#SongSharingChallenge

Day 18: “Unplugged: An acoustic song.

Paul Dempsey delivers incredible solo performances. I chose the acoustic version of

You only hide by Something for Kate

youtu.be/0UZMLEqBGag?...

#SongSharingChallenge

‘A structural dependence on heavy industry’: can South Korea wean itself off fossil fuels? Renewables face a bureaucratic maze in a country built on top-down and carbon-intensive development

‘A structural dependence on heavy industry’: can South Korea wean itself off fossil fuels?

Day 17: “Sunday Night TV: A TV theme song”.

I discovered Paula Cole via her singing live with Peter Gabriel. The world discovered Paula Cole through the theme song to Dawson’s Creek

I don’t want to wait by Paula Cole

youtu.be/L_dVEtLPdDE?...

#SongSharingChallenge

Day 16: “Sweet 16: Your favourite song from the year you turned 16”.

I had this on a very well-played cassingle!

“Love… thy will be done” by Martika

youtu.be/10V_Z0_udjg?...

#SongSharingChallenge

A screenshot of an electricity bill from Amber Electric showing that only 11 kWh was withdrawn from the grid during peak hours for the month of July.

A small but significant detail in our @amberelectric.bsky.social electricity bill for July. In the coldest month of the year we only took 11kWh from the grid during peak times (3pm-9pm). We were either self-powered, from the batteries, or exporting back into the grid for 99.5% of peak hours.

"We have arrived at the first bridge of the evening... Does anyone here know the lyrics to this bridge? PROVE IT!".

Day 15: “The Middle: A song with a great bridge”.

Oh hi! The live version of this, on the Eras tour, introduced millions to the concept of a bridge.

"Cruel Summer (Live from TS The Eras Tour)” by Taylor Swift.

youtu.be/falok9hp22I
#SongSharingChallenge