Griffith University will play an integral role in shaping the future of science, innovation, economic development and jobs in Queensland with the appointment of Associate Professor Francesca Iacopi to the inaugural Advance Queensland Expert Panel.
The Australian Research Council Future Fellow from Griffith’s Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre is one of 16 high-level representatives from industry, tertiary and research sectors to form the Expert Panel.
The Expert Panel will provide advice and direction to government in regards to a range of Queensland initiatives and programs as well as ensuring they are being effectively invested and targeted.
“I feel honoured by this appointment and I’m looking forward to contributing to this important initiative for Queensland,” Francesca said.
“To have the opportunity to shape and contribute to Queensland policy making is something that is very important to me.”
Associate Professor Iacopi said through her position on the panel she hoped to help bridge the gap between students and industry. More local jobs for highly skilled workers outside academia and a thriving local hi tech economy is something particularly important to her.
“I really want to help develop a closer relationship between universities and the industrial environment by both aligning research purposes and bringing industrial engineers together with students,” she said.
“ It is a matter of getting to know each other’s perspectives and priorities and find some common grounds and goals.”
Associate Professor Francesca Iacopi has more than 15 years’ academic and industrial expertise in materials and processes for micro- and nanotechnologies, across the field of devices, interconnects and packaging.
She was among Griffith University academics included in the 2015 list of Queensland’s Top 50 Thinkers compiled by theSundayMailnewspaper.
She was acknowledged for her world-leading work capitalising on the remarkable properties of the pure carbon material graphene for future cost-effective mass production of micro-devices.
Advance Queensland’s programs and initiatives aim to create knowledge-based jobs of the future, drive productivity improvements and build on Queensland’s natural advantages.
The expert panel brings together successful leaders from across the business, academic, research and education sectors who can provide broad-based expertise and independent advice to government.
The Chair of the expert panel will be theMinister for Science and Innovation Leeanne Enoch. TheQueensland Chief ScientistDr Geoff Garrett will be the Deputy Chair.
See the full list of panel member here.