An initiative of:

The Graeme Clark Oration celebrates advances in health and medical research that impacts people around the world. It showcases world leaders in health and medical research and initiates a community-wide discussion around exciting developments in convergence science - where the life, physical and engineering sciences come together.

Transitions in Cancer Research

The 2017 Graeme Clark Oration

A pioneer of cancer research,
Dr Harold Varmus, will deliver the 2017 Graeme Clark Oration.

The 2017 Oration

Dr Harold Varmus

A pioneer of cancer research, Harold Varmus, will deliver the 2017 Graeme Clark Oration.

Joint Initiative of the Convergence Science Network and the Graeme Clark Institute

The Graeme Clark Innovation in Schools Award

This year its back, bigger than ever, find out how your school can become a world leader.

More about the Schools Program

Dr Harold Varmus

A pioneer of cancer research, Harold Varmus, will deliver the 2017 Graeme Clark Oration on Monday, 30 October. Dr Varmus shared the 1989 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for findings on how viruses can cause cancer. This work undertaken at the University of California San Francisco lay the foundation for our modern view of the genetic basis of cancer.

Innovation in Schools Winner 2016

Congratulations to Parkdale Secondary College for an outstanding submission to take out the Graeme Clark Award for Science Innovation in Schools. We received a great response from some of the top schools around Victoria. The judging panel were impressed with the calibre of work but 'Parkdale stood out as an innovator in their approach to Science education'.

World's Science Leaders

The Oration brings to Melbourne some of the worlds greatest science leaders and is attended by local leaders from medical and biomedical research institutes, the academic community, the Australian and Victorian Governments, the philanthropic sector, representatives from the diplomatic corps, business leaders and some of our brightest Year 11 and 12 science students and their teachers.

Find out more

Harold Varmus has been America's leader not only in cancer biology but in the support of scientific excellence, data sharing, and global health. Few people have been as successful in both research and public policy and no one has had a greater impact on setting and protecting high standards for NIH-supported science.

-- Thomas Insel M.D. --

President and Co-founder of Mindstrong Health, 2016 Graeme Clark Orator

This is just a quick note to say how much I appreciated both the stunning lecture as well as the wonderful dinner where we could also do great networking. Your Convergence Science Network is a major contribution to scientific progress in Melbourne!

-- Professor Richard Cotton --

University of Melbourne (2012)

An event like this draws together politicians, scientists, the full gamut of some of the greatest minds and we sit around after an inspirational talk like tonight and talk about what we can do better.

-- Professor Kathryn North --

Director, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (2013)

Thank you for opening these
wonderful talks up to the general public. It is value for people to know the exciting things happening in science!

-- Survey respondent 2014 --

It is wonderful that as a student of health sciences I can hear such a world-class speaker in my hometown. And for free! Thank you, thank you for organising such an event!

-- Survey respondent 2014 --

Since the inaugural Oration was delivered by Professor Graeme Clark in 2008, the lecture has grown in stature and attracted outstanding orators, making it one of the most prestigious Orations within the Australian scientific lecture calendar.

-- Professor Suzanne Cory AC --

President Australian Academy of Science (2012)

Our Partners

Our Philosophy

We engage with the community to share the rapidly moving developments in health and medical science and technology innovation. In a period when health and medical research is delivering new knowledge and hope for the diagnosis, treatment and cure for many diseases, it is even more important for scientists to engage with the community so that public trust in science and scientists remains strong.

The Graeme Clark Oration performs an important and valuable role in bringing world leaders in health and medical research to Australia to share developments and inspire school students and the population more widely about the new possibilities offered by this research.

Presented by:

Convergence Science Network

The Convergence Science Network is Australia’s first and only network that engages the public with developments and advances in the biomedical sciences. Since our establishment in 2008, we have held over 90 events and attracted an audience of over 30,000 attendees. We established the Graeme Clark Oration in 2008 as our annual showcase event. We are for public good and not-for-profit. We are supported by local universities, research institutes, businesses and not-for-profit organisations. Our events provide an opportunity for the public to be inspired by the rapid advances in the biomedical sciences by inviting leading scientists and thought leaders to share their ideas and work. If you want to learn more about the range of events we offer and you want to join our network by subscribing at no cost, please visit the Convergence Science Network website here.

The Graeme Clark Institute for Biomedical Engineering

Established in 2017, the Graeme Clark Institute promotes and coordinates the extensive bioengineering activities that exist across The University of Melbourne, drawing on emerging scientific and engineering approaches to drive transformative clinical solutions. The Institute’s vision is to shape the future of healthcare with biomedical engineering solutions that deliver health, societal and economic benefits to Australia and the world. The Institute will enhance engagement between research and industry that will accelerate the translation of research into the clinic and the community. To learn more about the Graeme Clark Institute, please click here.