Prof Joanna Batstone and Prof Michael Fuhrer
Around 140 FLEET members, friends and partners gathered at Monash this week at the FLEET Headquarters to celebrate the Centre’s achievements. Funded in 2017, FLEET was officially launched at the same venue, Monash New Horizons Centre, on 12 June 2018. Guests include current members, alumni, collaborators and stakeholders, all of whom have contributed and supported FLEET in its seven-year journey.
Introduced by MC Prof Joanna Batstone (Monash Data Futures), who sits on the FLEET advisory panel, five FLEET members spoke first about the Centre’s impacts in key areas of significance:
Dr Kirrily Rule and Mitko Oldfield
Centre Director Prof Michael Fuhrer outlined impacts on sustainability and knowledge, spotlighting topological electronics, fundamental exciton discoveries, and liquid-metal applications. The Centre’s research has pushed the boundaries of scientific knowledge with advancement across quantum physics and materials science. FLEET’s work in ultra-low-energy electronics technologies has paved the way for a more-sustainable future.
Partner investigator Dr Kirrily Rule (ANSTO) spoke about the Centre’s impact in strengthening Australia’s scientific capacity by building strong international networks and training a large cohort of Australia’s quantum and electronic materials workforce. Through mentorship and internship programs, FLEET has empowered future science leaders.
Dr Julie Karel and Prof Jeff Davis
Recent PhD graduate Mitko Oldfield (Monash) detailed some of the highlights of FLEET’s contributions to STEM-Education, including accessible science initiatives such as the Future Electronics unit at John Monash Science School and primary-school physics. In addition to these innovative teaching programs the Centre has made quantum and science accessible through virtual outreach and interactive games.
FLEET CI Dr Julie Karel (Monash) spoke about innovations outside the laboratory, including the establishment of the innovative Women in FLEET and Diversity in FLEET Fellowship programs and investing in STEM women leaders via the Women and Leadership Australia programs.
By fostering collaboration and mentorship, FLEET has connected a huge range of people and top scientists. Prof Mike Ryan, Monash University
And finally CI Prof Jeff Davis (Swinburne) highlighted the Centre’s impact on Leadership, creating an inclusive, collaborative and family-friendly work environment, championing the work of ECRs, and celebrating diversity. FLEET has redefined workplace culture by fostering a sense of community and belonging in STEM.
After these five speeches outlining FLEET highlights in areas of significant impact, we heard from Prof Mike Ryan (Monash interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Senior Vice-President, and FLEET Advisor), Prof Alison Ross (Australian Research Council Executive Director, Humanities and Creative Arts) and Dr Amanda Caples (Victoria’s Lead Scientist).
Prof Ryan said: “One of the things that has struck me through my involvement in FLEET’s advisory committee, is that the Centre is about not only advancing technology and research, but also collaboration and mentorship: connecting a huge range of people and top scientists. FLEET has made an incredible contribution not only to the community, but also to Monash University. Thank you to the ARC for your foresight in funding the centre, which has helped place Australia at the forefront of this technology. Congratulations to everyone who has been part of FLEET – you have done important work, which will only continue to grow as technology transforms.”
By generating new concepts for ultra-low energy electronics, FLEET has contributed to continued, sustainable growth of IT and advances in AI: Prof Alice Ross, Australian Research Council
The ARC’s Alison Ross commented that FLEET’s highly collaborative research environment will help shape the scientific community and industry “through ground-breaking innovation, technologies and discoveries”.
Amanda Caples noted that “FLEET has excelled both in terms of the communication of science to the community as well as doing excellent science”. “What you’re doing is creating a future for us all – through the people, the skills, the networks and collaborations that have occurred.”
Finally, Professor Batstone officially launched the FLEET legacy website, which contains impactful stories spoken about at the event, including a seven-year timeline with the Centre’s key milestones. More case studies will be added to the Legacy website as the team compiles the Centre’s Legacy report – to be published in the last quarter of 2024.
Prof Batstone concluded the formalities saying “Although the centre will soon cease operations, FLEET’s legacy is in the expertise and culture of the researchers involved. The wide FLEET network will continue to collaborate and further develop the research through other collaborative programs; the students and ECRs FLEET trained are the future electronic and quantum workforce and will continue to contribute and make an impact in STEM.”
The legacy of ARC centres includes a cohort of PhD students and researchers working together around a mission that will outlive the duration of the Centre: Victorian Lead Scientist Dr Amanda Caples
Thank you to everyone present for your contributions to FLEET throughout the past seven years. Your dedication and support have been instrumental in shaping FLEET’s success and legacy.
And thank you to visual story-teller Alice Edy (livedrawing.com.au) whose creative live-drawing distilled the key messages of talks to create visually impactful, memorable graphics live on-screen. An animated version of Alice’s graphical output during the talks is shown below.
Missed the talks? Watch now on YouTube.
Graphics by visual story-teller Alice Edy (livedrawing.com.au)