There'll be farewell drinks and fancy dinners but by next week, outgoing chief scientist Ian Chubb is pretty sure he'll be bored.
Professor Chubb left his five-year post as the nation's top scientist on Friday, but not before launching his parting contribution - the last of a series of reports into the economic value of his field.
The combined reports found the contribution of physics, mathematics, chemistry and biological sciences was $330 billion a year to the economy.
His swan song document was packed along with the rest of his office on Friday, except for a few boutique beers in the bar fridge that he would enjoy with colleagues in the knock-off hours.
Prof Chubb makes way for engineer and entrepreneur Alan Finkel, who takes over the job on Monday.
The neuroscientist and academic, who was vice chancellor of the Australian National University from 2001 to 2011, isn't yet sure what will come next.
"By next Thursday, I'll be bored and that's when I'll think `what do I do now?'" Prof Chubb told AAP on his final day.
Prof Chubb delivered hundreds of speeches over the past five years, and while he'll miss engaging with passionate scientists and bright-eyed youngsters, he's happy to bid farewell to the travel.
"I won't miss airports three or four times a week," he said.
"Or the early mornings, waking up in another hotel and wondering where am I?"
It's contributing to major policy that he'll most miss. And Australia's young people.
"There's nothing quite like the kick you get when you're standing in front of a room full of very young people with lights on in their eyes," he said.
"And you know they're going to change the world for the better."
Prof Chubb believes there are still several things that need changing, including unsubstantiated criticism of his office's work.
"The traditional tactic is build a straw man and attack it," he said.
His message to those critics of his latest report is blunt.
"Wake up," he said, adding he wasn't opposed to legitimate criticism.
"Stop sitting on the sidelines and sniping and get in there and try to do something that's meaningful."
The professor also wants Australians to stop taking science for granted and believes education is the key.
"When most people pop their anti-hypertensive pill, their painkiller or use the microwave or pick up their smart phone they wouldn't be thinking about science," he said.
"And in fact if you asked people how much science goes into it, they wouldn't think a lot."
Minister for Science Christopher Pyne hailed Prof Chubb a "tireless advocate" for boosting science capabilities who was instrumental in identifying research priorities for the nation.
"Prof Chubb has made a remarkable contribution to science in this country and I commend his vision, leadership and insight," the minister said on Friday.
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