From grapes to grants: new ARC head outlines plans

Prof Peter Høj, currently director of the Australian Wine Research Institute, has been appointed the new CEO of the Australian Research Council (ARC).

Høj replaces the ARC's long-standing head Prof Vicki Sara, who stepped down from the role in May.

He told Australian Biotechnology News he was looking forward to the broader role, admitting that he would be on a steep learning curve about "other research sectors" -- the humanities, economic and social sciences. "It's a great opportunity for me to broaden my mindset," he said.

Høj began his scientific career studying plant biochemistry and chemistry in Copenhagen, before moving to La Trobe University in 1987 as a postdoctoral fellow. He became foundation professor of viticultural science at the University of Adelaide in 1995, an area totally outside his area of expertise. Three years later he became the managing director of the Australian Wine Research Institute, a private company run by the wine industry.

Høj has been on a number of academic boards, is a private member on the Prime Minister's Science and Engineering and Innovation Council, and last year was on the steering committee for a review that looked into collaboration between universities and publicly funded research agencies.

As CEO of the ARC, Høj will advise the government and interact with the research community to maintain and extend the quality of Australian research.

"Undoubtedly I will have to deal with a lot of stakeholders with differing interests, but that's no different from the wine industry," Høj said.

"My aim will be to convince the government and the electorate that basic research pays, and I think if we do not manage to convince the population of this I've failed, because I believe very strongly in it."

Høj will commence his five-year ARC term at the beginning of October.