Tanya Monro appointed chair of the National Youth Science Forum

The new chair of the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) governing council has been announced as Professor Tanya Monro - an internationally acclaimed physicist who is passionate about improving the community’s understanding of the relevance of physics and science in general.

The aim of the not-for-profit forum is to nurture and encourage young Australians to be the next generation of leading scientists and engineers. In the case of Professor Monro, who attended the program when it was the National Science Summer School (NSSS) in 1990, it has clearly succeeded.

Professor Monro is currently an Australian Research Council (ARC) Georgina Sweet Laureate Fellow, director of the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) and director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP) at the University of Adelaide. She will take up a new role at the University of South Australia as Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation in November 2014.

“Professor Monro brings a wealth of experience and understanding of the science education environment both in Australia and internationally,” said NYSF Director Damien Pearce. “She has substantial knowledge of Australian industry and the priorities we need to be setting so that our science, technology and engineering workforce is well placed to take us into the future.

“Tanya is a great role model for young women and men interested in study and careers in science and technology, which is the focus of the NYSF.”

Professor Monro has led significant initiatives bringing together different fields of sciences in a transdisciplinary approach, recognising that the opportunities that lie between different fields of science both generate knowledge and solve real problems. She says that outreach programs such as the NYSF play a critical role in supporting some of our brightest young people from around Australia by immersing them in stimulating science.

“It was the first time I had the experience of being around other people my own age who were passionate about science,” Professor Monro said of her own experience at the NYSF.

“One of the biggest insights from the program was that there were many fascinating fields of science that I had not previously discovered and that I should keep an open mind about what area I might want to specialise in until I had a chance to experience a few at university.

 “The NYSF serves as a bridge between the science taught at schools and the world of science research and its application in our world. I look forward to working with the governing council to strengthen the NYSF and its capacity to inspire Australia’s students as they enter Year 12.”