“The Productivity Challenge: the role of innovations and R&D in Australian business”

Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM DistFRSN FTSE FAA
Chief Scientist of Australia (2021–2024)

Date: Monday, 23 June 2025, 12.15 for 12.30 – 2.00 pm AEST
Venue: Union University and Schools Club, 25 Bent Street, Sydney (corner of Bent and Philip Streets)
Enquiries: by email to RSNSW Events 
Registration: Registration is required before 2.00 pm on Monday, 16 June 2025; Numbers are limited.
Cost: $60 (RSNSW members); $70 (non-members/guests)
Flyer:  Downloadable with this link
Dress: Smart business casual (jacket preferred); No denim.

Click here to register before
2.00 pm on Monday, 16 June

The Productivity Challenge

Drawing on her experience at the intersection of Australian science, innovation policy and industry engagement, Cathy will examine the critical relationship between research investment and national productivity growth. Australia faces unique challenges in translating its world-class research capabilities into commercial outcomes that drive economic prosperity. Through analysis of both successful case studies and missed opportunities, she will outline practical pathways for strengthening the innovation ecosystem. The talk will address barriers including risk aversion in industry investment, fragmentation of the research landscape and policy discontinuity. She will consider how to foster greater collaboration between research institutions and industry partners, create more effective commercialisation pathways and develop coherent long-term innovation policies that can position Australia to have more knowledge-intensive industries. The presentation concludes with a vision for a more productive, resilient Australian economy built on strategic R&D investment and a culture of innovation.

Dr Cathy Foley completed her term as Australia’s ninth Chief Scientist on 31 December 2024. Before that role, she had an extensive career at Australia’s national science agency, the CSIRO, including as the agency’s Chief Scientist. Dr Foley is an internationally recognised physicist with major research achievements in superconductors and sensors, which led to the development of the LANDTEM sensor system to locate valuable deposits of minerals deep underground. Dr Foley’s scientific excellence and influential leadership have been recognised with numerous awards and including election to the Australian Academy of Science in 2020, and Officer of the Order of Australia for service to research science and to the advancement of women in physics. She received the Australian Institute of Physics Medal for Outstanding Service to Physics in 2016. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering (2008) and an honorary Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics (2019). She was made a Distinguished Fellow of the Royal Society NSW in 2025. Dr Foley is an inspiration to women in STEM across the globe, focused strongly on equality and diversity in the science sector.

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