Professor Tom Spurling AM: CSIRO Board Member.

Professor Tom Spurling AM: CSIRO Board Member

Professor Tom Spurling brings his extensive knowledge of science, research leadership and public policy to the CSIRO Board.

• 23 November 2009 | Updated 14 October 2011

Professor Spurling is a Research Professor in the Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria.

He was awarded a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Physical Chemistry in 1962, and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1966, both from the University of Western Australia.

Professor Spurling is a former scientist and research leader with CSIRO with over 30 years of experience in the areas of physical chemistry and industrial technology.

He was the Chief of CSIRO Chemicals and Polymers and then CSIRO Molecular Science from 1989 to 1998. He led the World Bank funded CSIRO–Indonesian Institute of Sciences Management Systems Strengthening Project in Jakarta from 1999-2001.

He was Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, 2004-2005, Chief Executive Officer of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Wood Innovations 2005-08 and has been a director of Wood Shapes Pty Ltd.

Professor Spurling was:

• President, Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies, 2005-2007
• President, Federation of Asian Chemical Societies, 1989-1991
• President, Royal Australian Chemical Institute, 1987-1988.

He is currently the Director of Advanced Molecular Technologies Pty Ltd and is a Research Professor in the Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria. He is also a member of the Board of the International Radio Astronomy Research Centre.

He was a member of the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council from 2005 to 2007.

Professor Spurling is a:

• Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
• Foundation Fellow, Federation of Asian Chemical Societies
• Fellow, Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Throughout his career, Professor Spurling has received numerous awards, including the:

• Centenary Medal, 2003
• FACS Award for Distinguished Contribution to Economic Development, 2003
• CSIRO Award for Business Excellence in Technology Transfer, 2000
• RACI Leighton Memorial Medal, 1994
• RACI Rennie Memorial Medal, 1971.

Professor Spurling was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in June 2008 for services to chemical science through contributions to national innovation policies, strategies and research, and to the development of professional scientific relationships within the Asian region.

Professor Spurling was appointed to the CSIRO Board in May 2008.

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