Following outcomes of our 2023 call for nominations, we are delighted to welcome Professor Joanna Batstone to the Council of the Royal Society of Victoria for a two year term, commencing from our Annual General Meeting in May 2025. Joanna has provided the following message to our members:

“I joined RSV in 2021 after moving to Melbourne to join Monash University as the Director of the
Monash Data Futures Institute, where I lead research in the applications of Artificial Intelligence and
data science for social good. I have over 30 years’ experience in industrial Research and
Development roles at IBM and significant executive management experience leading Research and
Development projects worldwide.”

“Originally trained as a PhD Physicist in the UK, I have always valued the role professional societies
play in the dialogue around impact of science on society. I joined the RSV to build community linkage
and engage in a broad dialogue around the impact of technology for our future. I am passionate
about joining RSV as an Ordinary Councillor to help advance Victoria’s leadership in STEM education
and innovation. I am committed to fostering diversity and inclusion and have been an active
advocate and supporter of Women in STEM initiatives. I hope to contribute to RSV’s mission,
helping to drive strategic initiatives that promote science and technology as vital elements of
Australia’s future and I welcome the opportunity to give back to RSV.”

You can learn more about Joanna’s work and remarkable achievements from her profile as the Director of the Monash Data Futures Institute. We’re delighted to welcome Joanna to the fold, and look forward to her contribution to the affairs of Victoria’s science society.

Mike Flattley
CEO, The Royal Society of Victoria