Scientist and innovator to lead new national research into bushfire and natural hazards

Dr Laurie Hammond has accepted the appointment of Independent Chair of the new Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre.

Dr Hammond brings to the CRC a wealth of experience having been a working scientist and as a director at a range of innovative research and development organisations in Australia and New Zealand.

He will take up the position on 13 August 2013, and will retain his role as Chairman of the CRC for Mining, a position he has held since 2007. He is also currently Chair of the Australian Government’s Commercialisation Australia Board and a member of the Innovation Australia Board.

With a research background in marine ecology over 18 years, Dr Hammond moved from academe to industry to take a lead role in the commercialisation of several technology ventures. In addition, a significant part of his working life has been as an investment manager. He has also had a 20 year involvement in funding programs and policy development for national and regional research and innovation bodies.

Over the next year there will be two Cooperative Research Centres working in the interests of the community – the final stage under the Commonwealth Agreement of the Bushfire CRC and the start-up year of the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC.  

The new CRC is based in the shared Bushfire CRC and AFAC offices in East Melbourne.