QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil has been elected to the Australian Academy of Science in recognition of her work as a distinguished chemist and scientific and university leader.
Professor Sheil, a trailblazer for women in science, is currently Vice-Chancellor of QUT and Chair of the Queensland Museum Network.
In her citation, Professor Sheil was described as a strong advocate for science and scientists, with a particular emphasis on supporting early career scientists, women researchers, and outstanding scientific mentors.
She has played a pivotal role in national science policy and has consistently sought to ensure that Australian scientists have access to world class scientific infrastructure and funding schemes.
Professor Sheil joins 22 Australians from throughout the country who have been recognised amongst our most distinguished scientists.
“I am honoured to join an amazing group of Australian scientists who are leading the way in their research,” Professor Sheil said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to continue to highlight the importance of science in this country.”
The 2021 Fellows also include Professor Ian Reid, whose work on real-time robotic vision has applications in self-driving cars and robot assisted construction, and Professor Alison Rodger, whose techniques for understanding complex biological molecules using polarised light are now applied in pharmaceutical research and development around the world.
Australian Academy of Science President Professor John Shine congratulated the new Fellows for their achievements on the international stage.
“These researchers have not only been at the forefront of Australia’s scientific community, but have also been global leaders in science,” Professor Shine said.
“The 2021 Fellows were elected by their Academy peers after a rigorous evaluation. I warmly congratulate and welcome each Fellow on their election and for their extraordinary contribution to science and society.”
QUT Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik, ARC Laureate Fellow and DVCR said it was an outstanding recognition for Professor Sheil, one of the nation’s foremost leaders in enabling science across multiple institutions and disciplines.
"Margaret is not only a passionate and effective advocate for gender equity, but a leading mass spectrometrist having introduced key concepts to the field. Margaret’s election to the Academy underpins QUT’s strength as an institution led by scholars and researchers."
Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science are among the nation’s most distinguished scientists, elected by their peers for ground-breaking research and contributions that have had clear impact.
Professor Sheil joins QUT’s Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska, Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik, Distinguished Professor Peter Corke, Distinguished Professor Kerrie Mengersen and Professor Peter Waterhouse as fellows of the Australian Academy of Science.
The 22 scientists to receive Fellowships in 2021 are:
- Australian Capital Territory: Professor Dorritt Jacob (Australian National University), Professor Barry Pogson (Australian National University)
- Queensland: Professor Catherine Lovelock (The University of Queensland), Professor Margaret Sheil (Queensland University of Technology)
- South Australia: Professor Ian Reid (The University of Adelaide)
- Tasmania: Professor Barbara Nowak (University of Tasmania)
- Victoria: Professor Steven Chown (Monash University), Professor Arthur Christopoulos (Monash University), Professor Brendan Crabb (Burnet Institute), Professor Mark Dawson (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre), Professor Robin Gasser (University of Melbourne), Professor Rob Hyndman (Monash University), Professor John Sader (University of Melbourne), Professor Gordon Smyth (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research), Professor Svetha Venkatesh (Deakin University)
- New South Wales: Dr Gregory Clark (NextDC Special Election), Professor Susan Coppersmith (University of New South Wales), Professor Yihong Du (University of New England), Professor Glenda Halliday (University of New South Wales), Professor Andrew (University of New South Wales), Professor Alison Rodger (Macquarie University) and Professor Hala Zreiqat (University of Sydney)
Media contacts:
Madeline Healy, QUT Media, 07 3138 3083 or m5.healy@qut.edu.au
After hours: Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901 or media@qut.edu.au
CRICOS No.: 00213J