Cherie Colyer-Morris spoke recently at the Australia-Indonesia Science Symposium about her experiences working on the world's largest coral reef restoration project in Indonesia through a New Colombo Plan scholarship.

The opportunity to present at the Australia-Indonesia Science Symposium was provided by the New Colombo Plan Alumni Program, which supports alumni to maintain a connection to each other and the Indo-Pacific on their return to Australia.

Cherie, who is currently completing her honours year at the University of Newcastle, completed a New Colombo Plan scholarship in 2015, studying environmental science at the National University of Singapore and interning with PT Mars Symbioscience Indonesia in Makassar, South Sulawesi, for six months.

During her internship, Cherie worked on the world's largest coral reef restoration project collaborating with local universities and NGOs to develop and implement a social research program to support and guide the project as a whole. Cherie drew on her experience collaborating with Indonesian marine researchers in her presentation to the AISS.

The AISS brought together members of the Australian and Indonesian scientific academies, early and mid-career researchers, and government agencies. In addition to public events showcasing scientific research, the symposium also included in-depth exchanges between Australian and Indonesian scientists working on questions of common concern. Researchers from both countries were also able to explore opportunities for research funding, discuss career pathways in science, and examine the challenges in linking science to policy.

For further details visit the AISS website.