New appointments to the Australian Government’s primary innovation bodies bring significant experience and a broad range of high-level skills to Australia’s innovation system.
I am delighted to announce the appointment of University of Melbourne innovation expert
Dr Charles Day as CEO of Innovation and Science Australia (ISA), following an extensive international search for a world-leading business, innovation and science strategist and practitioner.
ISA provides strategic, whole-of-government advice on all science, research and innovation matters. This includes guidance on the Government’s $10.1 billion investment in 2016–17 in innovation, science and research including measures through the National Innovation and Science Agenda.
I congratulate Dr Day on his appointment to this high profile position. I’m confident he will make a significant contribution to transforming Australia into a leading innovation nation, positioning us to seize the next wave of economic prosperity.
Dr Day was previously Program Director for the University of Melbourne’s Carlton Connect initiative, a STEM innovation precinct that co-locates researchers from across the University’s academic disciplines with public and private sector organisations, increasing the innovation and impact of research outputs.
He a member of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute board and on their Translation and Commercialisation Committee. He headed the University of Melbourne’s technology commercialisation company, Melbourne Ventures, from 2004–10 and was a co-founder of the internationally recognised Melbourne Accelerator Program which supports start-ups at the University.
Dr Day is a Rhodes Scholar and completed a PhD in the dynamics of jet engines at Oxford University. He brings significant expertise in innovation, business development, technology commercialisation, venture capital and start-up creation.
The Turnbull Government is also making new appointments that add depth and expertise to both the ISA board and the Cooperative Research Centre Advisory Committee.
I am delighted to announce three new ISA board appointments today:
• Professor Bronwyn Harch – Executive Director of the Institute for Future Environments and Professor of Applied Statistics at the Queensland University of Technology. Professor Harch is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology Science and Engineering and specialises in applying statistical modelling of complex systems to agriculture and environmental systems.
• Dr Rufus Black – Master of Ormond College, President of Museum Victoria and Deputy Chancellor of Victoria University. He is a Rhodes Scholar, co-founder of the new Wade Institute for Entrepreneurship and a Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.
• Dr Bronte Adams AM – Managing Director of Dandolo Partners International, a public sector-focused management consultancy firm that services clients in the innovation, industry, health, technology, science and research, startup, cultural, and education sectors. Dr Adams is a Rhodes Scholar and was made a Member of the Order of Australia General Division for significant service to the community through executive roles in business, including publishing, health and industry innovation.
The new board appointees bring wide experience across the education, and public and private sectors.
They join ISA Chair Bill Ferris, Deputy Chair and Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel, and some of Australia’s best minds with proven innovation and entrepreneurship track records.
The Turnbull Government has also appointed two new members to the Cooperative Research Centre Advisory (CRC) Committee:
• Professor Christobel Saunders is internationally recognised as one of Australia’s most prominent research-orientated cancer surgeons. Professor Saunders has contributed to many clinical aspects of breast cancer research including clinical trials of new treatments, psychosocial and health services research and is active in several areas of surgical oncology cancer research. Professor Saunders has been President of the Cancer Council of WA, and designed the state’s Health Cancer Services Framework.
• Ms Kylie Sproston is an engineer with expertise in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and life sciences. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Bellberry Ltd, a private not-for-profit company which promotes and improves the welfare of research participants and the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of research.
The CRC Advisory Committee is a committee of ISA which was established to advise the Government on recommendations for funding for CRCs, the ongoing operation of the CRC Program and the ongoing progress and performance of individual CRCs.
Professor Saunders and Ms Sproston bring significant knowledge of medical technologies and engineering commercialisation to the committee’s deliberations.
Further information about Innovation and Science Australia is available at:
http://industry.gov.au/Innovation-and-Science-Australia
Further information about the CRC program is available at:
http://www.industry.gov.au/industry/IndustryInitiatives/IndustryResearchCollaboration/CRC/Pages/default.aspx
(ENDS)