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National advisory board appointment

3 June 2009

Professor Edwina Cornish

The University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish has been appointed to a new committee that will advise the Federal Government on research investment.

The National Research Infrastructure Committee will drive strategic planning and mapping across all categories of research infrastructure and contribute policy advice to government.

The committee will also coordinate investment in research infrastructure from institutional to national and landmark and will provide advice to the Education Investment Fund Advisory Board.

Federal Innovation Senator Kim Carr said the committee was made up of leading researchers from across a wide range of research disciplines.

"Research infrastructure is the bedrock of good research and a robust innovation system. The NRIC will be a key element in supporting the Innovation portfolio's lead role in developing a coherent and robust policy agenda for research infrastructure," Minister Carr said.

"To date, landmark facilities such as the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation research reactor, the Australian Synchrotron, and the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder radio-telescope have been funded on an individual basis.

"The NRIC will oversee a process to identify and prioritise Australia's landmark research infrastructure needs.

"I look forward to the valuable contribution the committee will make."

The NRIC will be chaired by former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism John Ryan.