Stuart Minchin

Research Director (Environmental Sensing, Prediction and Reporting)
CSIRO Land and Water, Australia

Bachelor of Science (Honours)
PhD in chemistry

"I get enormous satisfaction from seeing the scientific accomplishments of my team impacting on the management of natural resources in Australia."

I manage a team of scientists whose work is focussed on simulation modelling, remote sensing, model-data assimilation methods, spatial analysis, automated instrumentation and sensor webs, and web information services.  We aim to converge these technologies to produce leading-edge information systems for natural resource management

My current role is hugely challenging, as it is an executive role with one of Australia’s most respected research organisations. I manage a team of 60 scientists located in Townsville, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth and, while not undertaking research myself any more, I get enormous satisfaction from seeing the scientific accomplishments of my team impacting on the management of natural resources in Australia.

My studies at Monash with the Water Studies Centre gave me a launch pad into the department of Natural Resources and Environment managing Victoria’s water resources monitoring networks. The computing skills I had picked up while studying at Monash were a big asset and gave me the confidence within my new role to tackle the creation of a statewide Water Resources Data Warehouse for storage and public web access to water resources monitoring data. This was a first for Australia and really brought natural resource monitoring in Victoria into the information age. 

Another indirect skill, which has been extremely valuable in my career, was the public speaking and presentation training I received while a student. I have represented Victoria on many national committees and have regularly presented to international delegations, government enquiries and boards of management. Having the confidence to present to and engage with such audiences has probably been the biggest single factor in my career success to date.

While undertaking my PhD at Monash I was given the opportunity to carry out a consultancy which was of great value to my later career as it gave me real experience in the commercial sphere before finishing my training.

Since leaving Monash, I have maintained strong links with the university and have enjoyed regular interaction with staff members from the science faculty in a professional capacity.