Science & Technology Australia offers its huge congratulations and thanks to outgoing Australian Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM as her term in the top job comes to an end.
Dr Foley was STA President from 2009–2011 and was the inaugural Chair of STA’s influential Policy Committee in 2017.
She became Australia’s ninth Chief Scientist in January 2021 after a long and distinguished career at the national science agency, CSIRO.
Over her four-year term as Chief Scientist, Dr Foley has worked tirelessly to develop emerging technologies such as quantum, advocated powerfully for better research metrics, and championed Indigenous Knowledge systems and women in STEM.
“Without a doubt, Cathy is one of the most passionate advocates for science this country has ever had, and we hope will continue to have,” said STA CEO Ryan Winn.
A highly-feted and award-winning scientist, she has been named an Officer in the Order of Australia, received the Clunies Ross Medal and the Medal for Outstanding Service to Physics, and been elected a Fellow of both the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering and Australian Academy of Science.
STA has been delighted to work closely with Dr Foley in her role as Chief Scientist.
In March 2021 she delivered the National Press Club Address as part of Science Meets Parliament, discussing how to achieve impact from Australian science.
We also partnered with the Office of the Chief Scientist to deliver the Science Policy Fellowship Alumni program – a program that aims to grow the diversity of expertise in the Australian Public Service workforce by providing a pathway for scientists to become skilled policy practitioners.
And in 2023, we worked with Dr Foley to deliver The STEM Career Pathways report on behalf of the Prime Minister’s National Science and Technology Council.
“Cathy Foley has played a powerful and transformative role in getting science onto the national agenda and ensuring it is at the heart of public policy-making,” said STA President Professor Sharath Sriram.
“Her calm and measured analysis, her sharp focus on emerging and future technology, equity and research commercialisation, and her incredible ability to communicate clearly with policymakers, the research community, and the general public, have made her an outstanding Chief Scientist.”
“Personally, I am fortunate to have been mentored by Cathy, when she appointed me to STA’s Policy Committee. Learning from her and working with her to contribute to the sector have been a privilege. I am just one of thousands she has impacted positively through her career and generous engagement.”
“On behalf of the 235,000 STEM professionals that STA represents, we offer our enormous gratitude for the incredible work she has done for Australian science and the country and wish her all the best for the future.”
“We look forward to continuing to work with her in the future and offer our heartfelt thanks for her incredible contribution as Chief Scientist.”
