David Ireland

I am the General Manager, International, Precincts, and Innovation Systems at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency. I lead the development and implementation of the organisation’s global innovation precinct strategy, which has the aim of transforming and lifting the global competitiveness of Australia’s innovation system. I also manage key national and international strategic partnerships and work extensively with governments and the private sector on innovation and R&D policies and strategies.

I am currently a Governor of WWF Australia and am the Chair of the Australian Federal Government’s Horizon Scanning working group. I have previously worked in research commercialisation and management consulting and have been a post doctoral researcher at the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Biosciences and the UQ Business School.

I have over 20 science and business academic journal publications, I have published in a number of magazines and newspapers, and I am regularly invited to present on innovation, foresighting, and creativity.

I have a PhD in chemistry and in innovation theory from the University of Queensland in Australia.