Andrew Roberts to lead science college

Internationally renowned scientist Professor Andrew Roberts has been announced as the new Dean of the ANU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

Professor Andrew Roberts.

Professor Roberts is currently the Director of the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences (RSES). He begins his new role as Dean in August 2012, replacing Professor Aidan Byrne, who has been appointed CEO of the Australian Research Council (ARC).

Professor Roberts has been Director of RSES since joining the university in February 2010. He was previously Head of the School of Ocean and Earth Science at the University of Southampton and Associate Director of the UK’s National Oceanography Centre.

His research interests include: analysis of the ancient behaviour of the Earth’s magnetic field; the magnetic properties of rocks and minerals; past climatic, sea level and oceanographic change; and dating of rocks.

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Young has welcomed the appointment, saying Professor Roberts is the right person to lead the college at an exciting time for science.

“Andrew Roberts is an exceptional, high-achieving researcher,” said Professor Young.

“After receiving his Doctor of Philosophy in Geophysics from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand in 1990, he has had a career of distinction with 150 papers published. He is Chief Investigator on four ARC grants and his publications over the last decade are among the most cited in his discipline of paleomagnetism.

“He is widely respected in his discipline and his research school, and he will bring to his new role a combination of enthusiasm and experience. He will be a flag bearer for the college and lead by example. I congratulate him on his new role,” said Professor Young.