Professor Alan Duffy to lead flagship initiatives at Swinburne

Professor Duffy will actively engage with external organisations, including government, industry, and non-government organisations, to identify large-scale opportunities that require university-wide collaboration and the formation of coalitions of universities and partners.
In summary
- Director of Swinburne’s Space Technology and Industry Institute, Professor Alan Duffy, has been appointed to the newly created role of Pro Vice-Chancellor, Flagship Initiatives
- Professor Duffy will facilitate large and ambitious transdisciplinary research across Swinburne’s flagship research areas: Space and Aerospace, Med Tech and Health Innovation, Innovative Planet, and Innovative Society
- He will continue with his research and interests in space technology
Director of Swinburne University of Technology’s Space Technology and Industry Institute, Professor Alan Duffy, has been appointed to the newly created role of Pro Vice-Chancellor, Flagship Initiatives (PVCFI) at Swinburne.
Professor Duffy will facilitate large and ambitious transdisciplinary research across Swinburne’s flagship research areas: Space and Aerospace, Med Tech and Health Innovation, Innovative Planet, and Innovative Society.
He will actively engage with external organisations, including government, industry, and non-government organisations, to identify large-scale opportunities that require university-wide collaboration and the formation of coalitions of universities and partners.
“Professor Duffy will continue with his research and interests in space technology, but this new role will allow us to utilise his skills to benefit the whole institution. He will work closely with Swinburne’s Research Institutes, Research Platforms and Schools to help us bring people and technology together to build a better world,” says Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Karen Hapgood.
Professor Duffy is eager to take on this new role.
“There are extraordinary opportunities to address some of the biggest challenges facing our society by bringing together research excellence across our university and partners to deliver transdisciplinary solutions,” Professor Duffy says.
“Focussing on strategically identified Flagship Research areas Swinburne can provide that critical scale of capability to advance initiatives that address not just our national but also international needs.
“What makes this role so exciting is that advances in AI, space, quantum and renewable technologies amongst so many others are shaping our future and providing solutions to challenges that affect us all. If we are to leverage those advances we need to work seamlessly across research domains.”
The Space Technology and Industry Institute (STII) will be co-led by Dr Andrew Ang and Dr Rebecca Allen. Dr Ang and Dr Allen have been acting directors of the STII for several months, working with industry partners to identify needs, design solutions and develop technologies in a range of fields central to the space sector.
-
Media Enquiries
Related articles
-
- University
Swinburne community members recognised in 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List
Swinburne community members have been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List, including Swinburne National Centre for Reconciliation Practice advisory board member Karen Milward and Honorary Doctorate recipient the late Dr Murray Johns.
Tuesday 10 June 2025 -
- University
Swinburne commerce alum turned Webby Award-winning podcast star
Swinburne alum Ryan Jon Dunn is the co-host of popular Australian podcast, the Toni and Ryan Podcast, which won the audience-voted People’s Voice Award at the prestigious 2025 Webby Awards.
Monday 16 June 2025 -
- University
Swinburne becomes first Australian university to offer degrees in Qatar
Swinburne University of Technology has partnered with Barzan University College (BUC) in Qatar to be the first Australian university to offer its qualifications in the country.
Tuesday 17 June 2025 -
- University
- Film and television
From Melbourne to the Tiwi Islands: LINGER brings Indigenous stories to the big screen
Indigenous students from Swinburne’s Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media lead a powerful collaborative film project exploring dispossession, identity, and resilience.
Thursday 05 June 2025 -
- Law
How Swinburne Law School helped one alum find his calling
By embracing all the real-world experiences that Swinburne Law School had to offer including internships and overseas opportunities, Josh is now thriving in a career he genuinely loves.
Tuesday 17 June 2025