Swinburne’s Professor Alan Duffy recognised at inaugural Australian Space Awards

Professor Alan Duffy is Project Lead of SpaceTech Applications at Swinburne's Data Science Research Institute.
In summary
- Professor Alan Duffy has been named Academic of the Year at the inaugural Australian Space Awards
- The awards recognise leading individuals and businesses driving the development of Australia’s space economy
Swinburne University of Technology’s most recognisable space communicator, Professor Alan Duffy, has been named Academic of the Year at the inaugural Australian Space Awards.
The awards are an initiative of Space Connect, a marketplace and information platform for the space economy.
Professor Duffy is Project Lead of SpaceTech Applications at Swinburne's Data Science Research Institute, finding novel uses for astrophysical knowledge in aiding business and society on Earth. He is also a regular media commentator on astronomy and space.

Professor Duffy says he was surprised and honoured to receive the award, which was announced at an online event, based in Sydney.
“Space is a multidisciplinary domain so my individual award is actually a team award in practice - and one that recognises my extraordinary colleagues at Swinburne who have worked so hard to make our collective efforts deserving of this recognition,” Professor Duffy says.
“From engineering for space to applying the latest artificial intelligence to improve our observation of Earth to detect bushfires more quickly and reliably, my Swinburne colleagues’ work is truly out of this world.”
Swinburne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) Professor Bronwyn Fox says: “This award is a wonderful recognition of Alan’s leadership, passion and incredible talent.”
Australian Space Awards
The Australian Space Awards recognise leading individuals and businesses driving the development of Australia’s space economy, from major listed organisations and corporates servicing Australia’s space economy to SMEs, start-ups, academic institutions and associations.
The awards are open to all businesses operating in Australia supporting the space industry, including telecommunications, satellite, energy, mining and transport sectors as well as the defence, agriculture, disaster and water management industries.
The awards celebrate the best of the best in Australia’s space industry and recognise the outstanding contribution of professionals and businesses working within the industry across 22 categories.
Space Connect
The Australian Space Awards is an initiative of Space Connect. Part of Momentum Media’s suite of brands, Space Connect is the first dedicated market intelligence, media and information platform for Australia’s space community, whose aim is to help drive the growth of our domestic industry as well as project Australia’s space capabilities globally.
The platform serves as the authoritative marketplace to connect ideas, research and innovation with opportunities for space commercialisation.
-
Media Enquiries
Related articles
-
- University
This dynasty won't end with Rupert: The Murdoch story is still being written
Australians grew up in a media landscape entirely dominated by Murdoch's mastheads and two generations came of age in a political landscape shaped by the whim of his media empire.
Monday 25 September 2023 -
- University
Swinburne and Breakthrough Victoria create $18 million investment partnership to support Swinburne spinouts
Swinburne University of Technology will co-invest $9 million in investment, which is matched by Breakthrough Victoria, to create new ventures to drive commercialisation of our research.
Thursday 21 September 2023 -
- Business
Swinburne alum and global HR leader unlocking people’s ‘inner hero’
Anoop Chaudhuri’s career with Ford has spanned more than thirty years, three continents and 14 roles. He now leads HR for Ford and is passionate about helping individuals and teams thrive.
Thursday 21 September 2023 -
- University
Substack newsletters are a literary trend. What’s the appeal – and what should you read?
Every week since August 2021, Australian author Bri Lee has released a regular weekly Substack newsletter, News & Reviews, to thousands of paid and unpaid subscribers. The “news” offers commentary on current events and Lee’s particular interests and knowledge areas.
Read more (Substack newsletters are a literary trend. What’s the appeal – and what should you read?)Monday 18 September 2023 -
- University
Swinburne rises into top 250 global university rankings
Swinburne University of Technology has risen into the top 250 in the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Thursday 28 September 2023