MediaWeek | 15 September 2023
Australian science publication COSMOS is marking 100 issues of its print magazine.
The title is a uniquely Australian science magazine encompassing discussion on everything from government policy to daily life.
Will Berryman, executive director of The Royal Institution of Australia, who publishes COSMOS, said: “We’re a not-for-profit, and the importance of this unique Australian voice cannot be underestimated.
“It is a voice that is crucial not just for Australians, but it is being heard by people around the world who follow our excellence in journalism – delivered daily by a dedicated team of professionals who work via our Adelaide-based newsroom. And it’s a voice that needs to continue being supported as we move forward,” he added.
The theme of the 100th issue of the print magazine is ‘Reasons to Hope’ and features the work of prominent artist Jenny McCracken who was commissioned to deliver cover.
The first edition of COSMOS magazine was published mid-2005, after being co-founded by magazine executive Kylie Ahern and science journalist Wilson da Silva. One year later, the magazine launched an online daily news service. Then in February 2013, the title was acquired by Luna Media and was moved to Melbourne by Australia’s Alan Finkel, who became Australia’s chief scientist from 2016 to 2020, and his wife Elizabeth, a science journalist who became editor-in-chief of COSMOS.
In September 2018, custodianship of the magazine was gifted to The Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus), a not-for-profit science media organisation based in Adelaide, with Ian Connellan editor-in-chief at RiAus, and Gail MacCallum editor of the magazine.