Verity is a self-professed ‘rock chick’ who loves telling the stories of rocks.

As Director of Strategic Science for Geoscience Australia’s Office of the Chief Scientist, Verity combines passion for geoscience communication and stakeholder engagement, applying STEM knowledge and skills in implementing policies, to this important work. Verity works with her team to share geoscience with the broader community through outreach and engagement activities.

She has a PhD in geology from the University of Adelaide in characterising and reconstructing some of the beginnings in the formation of our landscapes in Permian times, when much of Australia was part of the Gondwana Supercontinent and covered by large ice sheets. Prior to joining Geoscience Australia, Verity worked as a mapping geologist for the Northern Territory Geological Survey.

Verity was an Australian Science Policy Fellow in 2020 and a Superstar of STEM in 2019-20. Verity is an active member of the Geological Society of Australia, she is the past chair of the ACT committee and has previously served on the National Governing Council. Verity is passionate about supporting Early Career Geoscientists to remain within the geoscience community and is an advocate for diversity. Verity is also dedicated to sharing her story of overcoming chronic illness to follow her dreams of becoming a scientist.

Full list of 2019 Superstars of STEM