The country’s national science agency, CSIRO, has appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Swinburne University, Professor Bronwyn Fox as its Chief Scientist.
Professor Fox becomes the CSIRO’s fourth female Chief Scientist and joins the agency after beginning there almost thirty years ago.
“It is wonderful to return to CSIRO as Chief Scientist after starting as a 22-year-old research assistant, and to be able to champion science research and capability, working with industry and fostering STEM careers,” Professor Fox said.
“The depth of scientific research at CSIRO and its committed people are a unique and special national treasure and I look forward to taking up the role.”
Dr Larry Marshall, CSIRO’s Chief Executive, said Professor Fox has a long history of bringing together researchers from across multiple scientific domains and institutions and will bring great depths of scientific experience to the role.
“[Her history of] leveraging digital science, and helping industry to translate brilliant ideas into real world solutions…exemplifies the CSIRO way – driven to deliver, brilliant but humble, leading by listening, and a generous collaborator,” Dr Marshall said.
“Her sustained commitment to supporting the growth of the manufacturing industry in Australia strongly supports our purpose to deliver solutions from science that drive Australia’s economic recovery and resilience.”
Professor Fox was the founding Director of Swinburne’s Manufacturing Futures Research Institute while working as a materials and engineering scientist.
There, she aimed to support the transition of Australia’s manufacturing sector to Industry 4.0 – the fourth industrial revolution.
She is currently Chair of the Victorian Division of Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and a Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.
She began her studies at the University of Melbourne, where she studied chemistry, before completing a PhD in Engineering at ANU.