Chief Defence Scientist recognised with University of Sydney Alumni Award

Monro originally obtained her PhD in physics from the University of Sydney in 1998 and after an extensive scientific career has served as Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist since 2019.

Providing advice for future students attending the university, Monro said students should follow their strengths.

“At the University of Sydney I found myself to be part of an extraordinary cohort of students who were engaged with academics doing work at the bleeding edge, informed by the cut and thrust of international science and industry need,” she said.

“This helped inculcate in me not just the academic fundamentals, but also, perhaps even more critically, a way of thinking and engaging with knowledge and problems that has stood the test of time and changing context.

“(Advising my younger self I would say to) stop questioning whether you are good enough to pursue a career in physics research. Just do the hard things, and know that the distinctive strengths you bring to the table will give you the opportunity to contribute to amazing things.

“(In counterintuitive, but correct advice) step out of the comfortable environments inhabited by others who share your expertise and background into spaces that jolt you into seeing different perspectives. Because it is in doing so that you can truly make the biggest difference … by together creating bridges to connect these worlds and teams that know how to traverse them for the benefit of all.”