PROFESSOR ASHA RAO
Interim Director
Phone:
+61 3 8344 1777
Email:
director@amsi.org.au
ROD BIRCH
Institute Finance Manager
Phone:
+61 3 9035 4463
Email:
rbirch@amsi.org.au
LISA FARRAR
National Program Manager, APR.Intern
ANGELA COUGHLIN
Acting RHED Program Manager
Phone:
+61 3 8344 2103
Email:
angela.coughlin@amsi.org.au
CLINT RODGERS
Marketing and Communications Manager
Biography
Phone:
+61 3 8344 1877
Email:
clint.rodgers@amsi.org.au
JANINE SPRAKEL
Schools Program Manager
Phone:
+61 3 8344 1790
Email:
janine@amsi.org.au
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Position: Interim Director Email: director@amsi.org.au Biography |
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Qualifications: BE (Environmental)(Hons), PhD (Distinction), Research Fellow, Postdoctoral Fellow Position: Deputy Director Email: deputy.director@amsi.org.au |
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Position: Executive Assistant to the Director of AMSI Phone: (03) 8344 1777 Email: enquiries@amsi.org.au BiographyNathan Smith is has completed a Bachelor of Education (2011) at the LaTrobe University and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management (2019) from RMIT. After working in P – 12 Victorian School systems as an English Teacher for over 6 years he has since moved on to the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute. Nathan works closely with the executive team and managers and in particular, the Director to assist with various administration, events and governance needs at the Institute. Part of his role also includes regular contact and various assistance roles with AMSI Members, Joint Venture Partners, the Board and the Chair.
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Position: Research and Policy Officer Phone: +61 3 8344 1792 Email: maaike.wienk@amsi.org.au |
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Qualifications: BSc (Hons), MSc, AStat Position: Statistician (Parks Victoria) Phone: +61 3 9035 5030 Email: kally@amsi.org.au BiographyKally has worked many years as a biostatistician at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Centre for Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne. She is an accredited statistician, awarded by the Statistical Society of Australia in 2004. Her qualifications include a Master of Science degree in Statistics, Bachelor of Science degree with First Class Honours in Statistics and Computer Science. She received the Maurice Belz First Prize for Statistics while she was an undergraduate at the University of Melbourne. Kally’s specialisation includes survival analysis, generalised linear models and relational database management system. She is experienced in statistical consulting, design of research studies, development of study protocol, statistical analyses of research data, design of database and protocol review for Research and Ethics Committees. She has been a co-author in more than 30 research publications, 14 of which as a senior author. She also has experience as an assessor for grant applications, as an instructor in statistics training courses and as a supervisor for research students. At AMSI, Kally mainly works as a statistical consultant to the research team at Parks Victoria providing statistical advice on study designs and performing data analysis for Parks Victoria projects. Occasionally she assists in the review of AMSI Industry Internship applications and progress of interns. |
Business – Finance & HR
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Qualifications: BComm Position: Institute Finance Manager Phone: +61 3 9035 4463 Email: r.birch@amsi.org.au Social Media Profiles BiographyRod holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and post-graduate accounting qualifications. Formerly with the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne, his career has spanned work in Government, two major accounting firms and a major bank and has included consulting to the tertiary education sector. Rod joined AMSI as Business Manager in October 2011. |
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Position: Finance and Admin Officer, Choose Maths Phone: +61 3 8344 0449 Email: darla@amsi.org.au |
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Position: Administration and Finance Assistant Phone: +61 3 9035 9809 Email: gayani.gunawardana@amsi.org.au |
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Position: Finance Officer Phone: +61 3 8344 8998 Email: jenny.weng@amsi.org.au |
Marketing, Media & Communications
| Position: Marketing and Communications Manager Phone: +61 3 8344 1784 Email: clint.rodgers@amsi.org.au |
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Position: AMSI Art Director Phone: +61 3 8344 1784 Email: mshaw@amsi.org.au |
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Position: Digital Designer Phone: +61 3 8344 2014 Email: agnes.tam@amsi.org.au |
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Position: Web Developer and Data Analytics Officer Email: keshan.withanage@amsi.org.au |
Research & Higher Education Program
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Qualifications: BA (Tourism & Communication Management) Position: Acting RHED Program Manager Phone: +61 3 8344 2103 Email: angela.coughlin@amsi.org.au BiographyAngela Coughlin is the acting manager of the AMSI Research and Higher Education (RHED) program. Angela leads a team that delivers national research training and events for undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers and professionals in the mathematical sciences. As well as the AMSI Flagship events – Summer School, Winter School, Vacation Research Scholarships, BioInfoSummer and Optimise – the RHED program supports online teaching and learning collaborations, including Honours and Masters subjects, through the ACE Network. Additionally, Angela and her team work with the AMSI Scientific Advisory Committee to support research collaboration through international and national speaker attendance at Australian mathematical science workshops. Finally, AMSI has many partnership agreements with other mathematics organisations, universities and research institutes which include co-sponsored events and lecture tours. |
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Qualifications: BSc, GDipArts (ArtsMgt) Position: Project Coordinator Phone: +61 3 8344 0084 Email: anna.muscara@amsi.org.au BiographyAnna is responsible for the successful planning and delivery of projects and events that form the national AMSI Research and Higher Education Program. She has previously worked in a range of different industries such as the arts, philanthropy and travel, and worked on a number of prestigious events including Live Performance Australia’s Annual Helpmann Awards®, and TEDx St Kilda. Anna’s work experience spans marketing, sponsorship and events. |
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Qualifications: BA (Hons), MA (Publishing & Communications) Position: Administrative Assistant Phone: +61 3 8344 1780 Email: francesca.hobanryan@amsi.org.au BiographyFrancesca is responsible for providing administrative and project support to the Research and Higher Education team. Before joining AMSI in 2017, she worked as a library assistant and research assistant while completing her studies at The University of Melbourne. |
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Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Position: Administrative Assistant Phone: +61 3 8344 1780 Email: liam@amsi.org.au BiographyLiam has been with AMSI since the beginning of 2014. His main responsibility is providing administrative support to the AMSI sponsored events run throughout the year. As well as posting to social media channels, updating content on the Research and Higher Education websites and maintaining the advertising mailing lists . Liam completed his BSc in Bioengineering Systems in 2014 and an Honours year in Biomechanics in 2015 at the University of Melbourne. |
Schools Program
schools.amsi.org.au | calculate.org.au
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Qualifications: DipT, MEd Position: Program Manager, AMSI Schools, CHOOSE MATHS Program Director Phone: +61 3 8344 1790 Email: janine@amsi.org.au Social Media Linkedin Twitter BiographyJanine Sprakel (McIntosh) manages AMSI Schools. Janine leads a professional development and schools visit program for teachers across the country. Through clusters of schools supported by industry and government partners, Janine’s aim is to encourage more Australians to enjoy and study mathematics. From 2015 to 2020 Janine has led the CHOOSEMATHS Project as Project Director. A $22M program including Awards, Mentoring, Outreach and a national Careers Awareness Campaign. Janine is one of the authors of ICE-EM Mathematics and has developed a suite of online and careers materials in her time at AMSI. Janine was one of the writers for the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics F – 10. She is an experienced primary teacher, who has worked as a lecturer in mathematics education at the University of Melbourne. |
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Qualifications: BSc, GDipEd, MEd (Studies) Position: Schools Outreach Manager Phone: +61 3 9035 7406 Email: moconnor@amsi.org.au BiographyMichael O’Connor is Schools Outreach Manager. This role involves the support of teachers in teaching mathematics, the development of Mathematics materials for use in schools and the collection and dissemination of information and advice on careers in Mathematics and Mathematics in careers. Michael has a Masters of Education (Studies) from Monash University. He is an experienced author of Mathematics texts, assessment items and dynamic geometry materials. Michael was raised on a farm in country New South Wales. He fell in love with the smell of old books at the age of four and with science by the age of seven. As well as twenty-five years of mathematics teaching Michael has also worked as a station-hand and roustabout, a Sydney taxi driver, a cleaner and a pizza deliveryman. His taxi work serves him well in ferrying his children around to their many appointments and social engagements. |
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Position: Executive Assistant, Schools and Choose Maths Phone: +61 3 9035 3192 Email: claire@amsi.org.au |
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Position: Finance and Admin Officer, Choose Maths Phone: +61 3 8344 0449 Email: darla@amsi.org.au |
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Position: Schools Outreach Project Officer, Choose Maths Phone: +61 425 706 299 Email: anna.bock@amsi.org.au BiographyAnna is excited to have joined the AMSI team as a Schools Outreach Officer. She has worked in education for over 30 years. In that time Anna has held various roles both in primary schools, as a classroom teacher and mathematics leader, and within Catholic Education Melbourne, as a Mathematics Resource Officer, Teaching and Learning Coach (Numeracy), School Adviser (Mathematics) and Learning Consultant (Mathematics). In the past 10 years the focus of Anna’s work has been on school improvement in mathematics learning and teaching within the primary school sector. Anna has completed a Master of Education from Melbourne University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Mathematics Leadership from Monash University. Anna is a passionate educator who loves the mathematics curriculum and leading change in this area by influencing teacher knowledge and practice in order to improve student learning outcomes. She is enthusiastic about providing access to mathematics learning for all students, with a focus on students being thinkers, challenged and striving to be the best that they can be. |
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Position: Schools Outreach Project Officer, Choose Maths Phone: +61 411 167 677 Email: cassandra.lowry@amsi.org.au BiographyCassandra joined the AMSI Choose Maths team in July 2017. Her journey to become a mathematics educator began soon after secondary school, where she completed a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, specialising in statistics. Many years of being told by others that they “hated maths at school” would lead her to complete a teaching degree at the University of Melbourne, in the hope to shift students’ attitudes towards her beloved subject. In 2012, with a renewed focus on leadership, she returned to the University of Melbourne to complete a Master of Education in which she focused on mathematics education. Cassandra has worked across the Government and Catholic sectors in various primary schools in the western suburbs of Melbourne. Her most recent position was as F-3 Mathematics Leader at Lumen Christi Catholic Primary School in Point Cook. This role allowed her to strengthen her links with the Mathematical Association of Victoria (MAV) and eventually led her school to be recognised as a Maths Active School (MAS). This partnership also gave Cassandra the opportunity to present at the MAV Annual Conference and write an article for MAV’s newsletter, Common Denominator. Cassandra is a passionate Carlton supporter who can often be found checking out the latest restaurants and bars that Melbourne has to offer. She has one son, currently completing Year 12, who is hoping to study economics at university next year. |
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Position: Schools Outreach Project Officer, Choose Maths Phone: +61 3 8344 6138 Email: leanne@amsi.org.au BiographyLeanne has joined the AMSI Choose Maths team after some time with Catholic Education Melbourne as a School Advisor – Mathematics, and is very excited to extend her work with schools around Australia. She has a Bachelor of Science with majors in Biochemistry and Genetics and has developed a real interest in bioinformatics, which combines her love of Mathematics and Biology beautifully. Over her 25 year teaching career, Leanne has worked at Independent, Government and Catholic schools, teaching mostly secondary Maths, Science and Biology, but also working with primary teachers to bring these subjects to life in the early years. A real career highlight for Leanne was her time with Museum Victoria doing everything from educational consulting on the Marine Exhibition through presenting Bugs Alive and Dinosaur education programs to running the planetarium and teaching astrophysics. Leanne’s passion for girls’ education is embodied in her twin daughters who are both studying mathematics at a tertiary level. She is looking forward to having an Engineer to solve her problems and a Physiotherapist to iron out her knots. |
APR.Intern
aprintern.org.au
For APR.Intern General Enquiries phone (03) 8344 1785 or email contact@aprintern.org.au
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Position: National Program Manager, APR.Intern Phone: +61 3 8344 1785 Email: lisa.farrar@aprintern.org.au BiographyLisa has over 25 years of experience leading teams and organisations to deliver strategic excellence domestically and internationally across a broad range of sectors, both in Australia and overseas. With core competencies in leadership, strategy, partnerships, engagement, marketing and brand management, she is passionate about building and leading teams to deliver on organisational vision. Lisa has lived and worked in Melbourne, San Francisco, Seattle and worked extensively in Sub Saharan Africa. Holding a Senior Executive MBA from Melbourne Business School, a Bachelor of Business and AICD company director qualifications, she has over 10 years’ experience as a Non-Executive Director and Chair on government and not-for-profit Boards. |
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Position: Deputy Program Manager, APR.Intern Phone: +61 3 9035 3646 Email: g.sheldon@aprintern.org.au BiographyGlen is the Deputy Program Manager for APR.Intern. Glen is responsible for the strategic direction and operational management of the APR.Intern program. His role provides high-level leadership, strategic development and implementation for the expansion of the APR.Intern program, whilst driving the number of placements across our member universities. It is his responsibility to work with the Business Development Managers to drive new business partnerships, leverage funding opportunities and source strategic collaborative arrangements with both public and private enterprises and government. Prior to his position at APR.Intern, Glen held a range of senior marketing and publishing roles working with government, industry and the higher education sector. |
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Qualifications: BA (Recreation), GradDip (IR&HRM) Position: Senior Project Coordinator Phone: +61 3 8344 1785 Email:m.brown@aprintern.org.au BiographyMargo’s role is to manage the Support Team and the function to ensure the provision of quality internship administration, customer service and related reporting for the APR.Intern program. Before joining AMSI, Margo worked in Human Resources at The University of Melbourne and held several corporate HR, career development and administration roles in Australia and the UK. |
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Position: Business Development Officer – NSW Mobile: 0400 764 763 Phone (USYD): +61 2 9036 9170 Phone (UTS): +61 2 9514 2359 Email: m.ovens@aprintern.org.au |
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Position: Business Development – NSW Phone: +61 431 747 010 Email: m.galanis@aprintern.org.au |
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Position: Business Development – NSW Phone: +61 405 046 360 Email: m.murphy@aprintern.org.au |
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Position: Business Development Officer – SA Phone: +61 8 8121 5770 Email: d.beecham@aprintern.org.au |
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Position: Business Development – VIC Phone: +61 3 8344 6991 Email: j.mabbutt@aprintern.org.au |
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Position: Business Development – JCU Phone: +61 412 860 824 Email: m.koczyrkewycz@aprintern.org.au |
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Position: Business Development Officer Phone: (03) 8344 1785 Email: a.weirman@aprintern.org.au BiographyAlyssa joined the APR.Intern team in 2020 as a Business Developer and is responsible for matching PhD students with industry and government in the ACT. Alyssa enjoys creating relationships with stakeholders from a broad range of organisations and developing projects that enhance industry innovation and PhD employability. Prior to joining APR.Intern, Alyssa was the Business Manager of a plant research facility hosted by the Australian National University (ANU). In this role, Alyssa developed extensive skills across business development within the university and research sectors. Alyssa also helped establish the ACT Centre for Entrepreneurial Agri-Technology. As the Business Developer of the Centre, Alyssa onboarded startups and SME’s into the Centre’s innovation hub. Alyssa holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons 1st) majoring in Earth Science from ANU and a Diploma of Management (Business Administration) from the Sydney Technical Institute. She has completed leadership training at ANU and a Marine Geoscience Masterclass through the Australian and New Zealand IODP Consortium. |
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Position: Marketing & Communications Assistant, APR.Intern Phone: +61 3 9035 8237 Email: j.piltz@aprintern.org.au |
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Position: Administrative Assistant Phone: +61 3 9035 6560 Email: a.mullany@aprintern.org.au |
Honoraries, Past Chairs and Directors
DR JAMES LEWIS
Chair of the Board, 2002-2011
As the foundation Chairman of the Board, Jim guided AMSI through its first 10 years with the vigour and expertise that comes only from experience. Jim was a recipient of the AMSI Medal for Distinguished Servicein 2012.
PROFESSOR ANTHONY GUTTMANN
Founding Director, 2002
Tony was a recipient of the AMSI Medal for Distinguished Service in 2012.
PROFESSOR GARTH GAUDRY
Director, 2002-2005
Garth was a recipient of the AMSI Medal for Distinguished Service in 2012.Tributes to Garth following his passing on 18 October 2012 can be accessed here.
PROFESSOR PHILIP BROADBRIDGE
Director, 2006-2009
Phil was presented with the 2008 Fast Thinking/ Open Universities National Innovation Award in the category of science innovation on behalf of AMSI.
Phil has also accepted the Women in Science and Engineering award for developing women mathematicians on behalf of the department at the University of Delaware.
MS JAN THOMAS OAM
Executive Officer, 2002-2011
Jan was AMSI’s Executive Officer until March 2011. She is now a Senior Fellow at The University of Melbourne and has an office at AMSI. Before coming to AMSI, Jan worked as a teacher, as a consultant in schools and as a lecturer in teacher education. Her research interests are concerned with the effect of language and culture on mathematics learning. She believes access to a good mathematics education, along with good communication skills, is fundamental to an equitable and socially just society.
Jan was a recipient of the AMSI Medal for Distinguished Servicein 2012 and awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours 2013 for service to the mathematical sciences.
DR MICHAEL EVANS
Schools Program Manager, 2004-2013
Michael has a PhD in mathematics from Monash University and a Diploma of Education from La Trobe University. Before coming to ICE-EM, he was Head of Mathematics at Scotch College, Melbourne, and involved with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority in various capacities. He has also taught in public schools. In 1999 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by Monash University for his contribution to mathematics education, and in 2001 he received the Bernhard Neumann Award for contributions to mathematics enrichment in Australia.Michael was a recipient of the AMSI Medal for Distinguished Service in 2013.
PROFESSOR PETER HALL AO
Chair, Scientific Advisory Committee, 2003-2010
One of the discipline’s most iconic and respected leaders, Professor Hall will be remembered through his rich legacy of outstanding leadership and contribution to the Australian and global mathematical sciences.
In 2003, the first full year of AMSI’s operation, Peter Hall accepted the position of chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee as one of Australia’s most respected and active mathematical scientists. For the next seven years Peter was architect and custodian of AMSI’s scientific program. This program annually delivers between 15 and 20 workshops in mathematics, statistics and cognate disciplines around Australia. Peter was a recipient of the AMSI Medal for Distinguished Service in 2012 and made an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours 2013 for for distinguished service to mathematical science in the field of statistics through international contributions to research, as and academic and mentor, and through leadership of advisory and professional organisations.
Much respected and admired by all those he worked with, he will be remembered as a giant of the mathematical sciences who was as much a part of the fabric of Australian statistics as it was of him.
PROFESSOR PETER TAYLOR AO
Chair, Education Advisory Committee, 2003-2011
Peter chaired the EAC from its inception and was deeply involved in the planning and execution of the seminal workshops on ‘Teacher Content Knowledge and Materials for Schools’. The following years’ work was based on these early initiatives including the first edition of the ICE-EM Mathematics textbooks. Peter guided this work with an awareness of its importance and an ability to encourage others to become involved.Peter has given wonderful support to the staff of AMSI and has made a major contribution to each of the projects undertaken during his chairing of the EAC.
Peter was a recipient of the AMSI Medal for Distinguished Service in 2013 and made an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday honours for distinguished service to education, and to youth, particularly through the development of mathematical competitions and challenges for students, as an academic, and to professional learning associations.
PROFESSOR JONATHAN BORWEIN
Chair, Scientific Advisory Committee, 2010-2016
A mathematician of astonishing range, the legacy of Laureate Professor Jonathan Borwein continues to be felt within the Australian and global mathematical sciences. A strong AMSI ambassador, his influential leadership positions included Chair of the Institute’s Scientific Advisory committee, membership of the Research and Higher Education committee and Board observer.
Beyond AMSI, he is remembered as a former President of the Canadian Mathematical Society and Editor in Chief of the Journal of the Australian Mathematical Society.
Jon moved to Australia in 2008 as founding director of CARMA, the Priority Research Centre in Computer Assisted Research Mathematics and its Applications, at the University of Newcastle. An ISI highly cited scientist, his work in mathematics and computing, including optimisation, computational number theory and classical functional analysis was widely published.
To the world John was a remarkable mathematician and to AMSI he was a friend and champion.
DR RON SANDLAND
Chair, 2011 to 2019
As the second Chair of the AMSI Board, Ron oversaw the remarkable period of expansion of AMSI’s funding and activities during the period from late 2011 to early 2019.
Ron’s skill in chairing meetings, negotiating difficulties, hands-on personal style, fearless advice, deep commitment and system-wide perspective were a tremendous asset to AMSI and its staff. Ron understood the place AMSI holds in the public sphere, and ensured that AMSI is at the table when it should be.
Ron was made an Honorary Life Member of the Statistical Society of Australia in 1998 and won the CSIRO Medal for Lifetime Achievement in 2006. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, and was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2007.
Ron chaired the watershed 2010 review of AMSI with three distinguished international colleagues. It redefined AMSI’s relations with its members and set AMSI’s directions for the following period. As Chair, Ron then oversaw the implementation of the review. The relationship with the University of Melbourne as lead agent was clarified by the review and there was a refresh of AMSI’s Vision and Mission statements in early 2011. AMSI’s 2013 Strategy Day was a significant event identifying five key strategic pillars for the Institute and establishing marketing and communications as a key aspect of AMSI’s operations.
In recognition of this service and to other mathematical sciences organisations, AMSI’s Lead Agent, the University of Melbourne, conferred a DSc on Ron, to the acclaim of the Institute. Ron was recipient of the AMSI Distinguished Service Medal in 2019.
PROFESSOR GEOFF PRINCE
Director, 2009-2018
Geoff united the discipline behind AMSI’s mission and built an enviable reputation for AMSI as the public face of Australian mathematics and as its strongest advocate, evidenced by the attention afforded to it by politicians, the Office of the Chief Scientist, policy makers, philanthropic organisations and the media. He used the media effectively to bring critical issues concerning mathematical education, teacher capability, mathematical prerequisites for students entering technological disciplines, and the importance of mathematics in national innovation into the public arena.
Geoff was directly responsible for:
- The continuing Commonwealth support of AMSI’s remarkably successful research training programs. His custodianship saw numbers more than double to 500-600 annually and significant broadening of the base of research training in the discipline.
- BHP-Billiton Foundation’s invitation to develop and deliver an ambitious 5 year program from 2015-2019 to address the issue of girls and women in mathematics was a direct result of AMSI’s leadership in dealing with the notorious problems in mathematical education. The $22 million Choose Maths program, brokered by Geoff with Janine Sprakel, is Australia’s largest corporate investment in the mathematical sciences to date.
- AMSI’s national multisector, multidisciplinary PhD industry research program, AMSI Intern (now APR.Intern), benefited greatly from Geoff’s vision and leadership. This saw a $10m Commonwealth grant to AMSI for expansion of the program from 2017 to 2020.
- The development of an extremely talented and hard-working team of professionals which strongly embodies AMSI’s commitment to equity and diversity.
Geoff was recipient of the AMSI Distinguished Service Medal in 2019.
PROFESSOR TIM BROWN
Director, 2019 to 2020
Professor Tim Brown was Director of AMSI from 2019-20 following several years as Professor of Statistical Data Science at the University of Melbourne. Previously, Tim was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at La Trobe University (2008-2013), Dean of the College of Science (2005-2007), Dean of the Faculty of Science (2002-2007) and Professor of Statistics at the Australian National University. Honorary positions held by Tim Brown include President of the Australian Council of Deans of Science (2004-2006), President of the Statistical Society of Australia (1992-1994) and elected member of the International Statistical Institute.
