Meet Australia's new Chief Scientist

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced that Dr Alan Finkel AO will be Australia’s next Chief Scientist. He will follow in the footsteps of Professor Ian Chubb, whose term concludes at the end of 2015.

An engineer, scientist, publisher and philanthropist, Dr Finkel is highly respected for his research in neuroscience, his entrepreneurial skills and his commitment to enhancing community awareness and understanding of science. He was the founder and CEO of American instrument company Axon Instruments, which was acquired by Molecular Devices in 2004.

In line with his passion for education, Dr Finkel established the Australian Course in Advanced Neuroscience to provide advanced training to young scientists. He also established a secondary school science program, administered by the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering (ATSE), which is currently running in nearly 500 secondary schools around Australia.

Dr Finkel currently serves as the Chancellor of Monash University and president of ATSE. He will step down from both roles by the end of the year.

Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Christopher Pyne said Dr Finkel was selected from a high-calibre field following an international search.

“Dr Finkel is renowned for his outstanding research, industrial and entrepreneurial achievements in Australia and overseas, his leadership and service in the university and education sector, the academies and national science bodies, and his experience in providing high-quality expert advice to government,” Pyne said.

“His will be a vital role in shaping Australia’s economic future and leading our national conversation on science, innovation and commercialisation across the research, industry and education sectors and with the wider community.”

The new Chief Scientist will provide independent, high-level advice to the government on science, innovation and commercialisation and lift the profile of Australian scientific endeavour domestically and internationally. Dr Finkel said, “My personal experience across research, business and STEM education will guide my ability to formulate relevant advice.

“We exist in a competitive international environment and to compete effectively, business needs science, science needs business and Australia needs both.”

Professor Chubb has welcomed his successor, stating, “Dr Finkel’s appointment is a testament to his great vision for Australia, pursued with energy, insight and imagination over many decades.

“He is a businessman with the insights of a researcher and an outstanding advocate for science and technology, demonstrating in his own career the breadth of the innovation agenda and the opportunities it can open for Australians.

“Dr Finkel has called in recent days for Australian governments to ‘wrap their arms around the future’. As Chief Scientist, he will encourage all of us to embrace a bolder vision of the century ahead.”