CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has appointed professor Bronwyn Fox as chief scientist, close to 30 years after she began her career with CSIRO as a research assistant.
Professor Fox, CSIRO’s fourth female chief scientist, joins the agency from Swinburne University of Technology, where she is deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Enterprise).
CSIRO chief executive Dr Larry Marshall said Fox brings great depth of scientific experience to the role.
“Bronwyn exemplifies the CSIRO way – driven to deliver, brilliant but humble, leading by listening, and a generous collaborator,” Marshall said.
“She has a long history of bringing together researchers from across multiple scientific domains and institutions, leveraging digital science, and helping industry to translate brilliant ideas into real world solutions.”
As a materials and engineering scientist, Fox was the founding director of Swinburne’s Manufacturing Futures Research Institute, with a mission to support the transition of Australia’s manufacturing sector to Industry 4.0 – the fourth industrial revolution.
“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,” 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.”