In conversation with Dr Alan Finkel
Please join us at the University of Newcastle Gallery for the Hunter launch of former Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel’s new book ‘Powering Up: Unleashing the Clean Energy Supply Chain’.
In conversation with our University’s Dr Jessica Allen, Dr Finkel will share his vision and insights, reflecting on Australia’s opportunity to play a leadership role in the global transition to clean energy.
The clean energy transition is humanity's biggest ever economic challenge. In Powering Up, Dr Finkel shows how to remove the barriers that prevent nations transforming from petrostate to electrostate.
Dr Finkel considers the entire supply chain, from raw materials through power infrastructure, the workforce, transportation and household customers. He reveals the outlines of a new geo-economic order and explains in persuasive, practical terms how we can get there.
If governments, investors, industry and consumers get this right over the next three decades, history will judge us as the generation who ushered in the Electric Age and helped to save the planet. The world will be transformed - with Australia, if we seize the opportunity, as a global leader.
Dr Alan Finkel
Dr Alan Finkel AC is a neuroscientist, engineer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Career highlights include 23 years running US company Axon Instruments and 8 years as Chancellor of Monash University. Alan was Australia’s Chief Scientist from 2016 to 2020, during which time he led the National Electricity Market Review, the development of the National Hydrogen Strategy and the panel that advised the Australian Government on the Low Emissions Technology Roadmap. As Special Adviser to the Australian Government on Low Emissions Technologies in 2021 and 2022, he brokered bilateral low emissions technology partnerships between Australia and each of seven key countries and chaired the Australian Government-hosted Sydney Energy Forum. He is currently Chair of Stile Education and a corporate adviser on climate change technologies. His book, Powering Up: unleashing the clean energy supply chain, was published in June.
Dr Jessica Allen
Dr Jessica Allen is a Senior Lecturer and principal researcher in the discipline of Chemical Engineering in the University’s School of Engineering. Teaching awards attest to the esteem in which she is held by her students and colleagues, and numerous accolades including a 2021 DECRA Fellowship and being named a 2021 Superstar of STEM showcase her tremendous research capacity and achievements.
View the recording: In Conversation with Dr Alan Finkel
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.