Philip Withers read Natural Sciences (82-85) at Cambridge before doing a PhD in metal matrix composites (85-89) and then becoming a lecturer there (89). He then took up a Chair at the University of Manchester (98). He became the inaugural Director of the $100m bp International Centre for Advanced Materials in (2012). In 2016 he helped to set up the Royce Institute for Advanced Materials becoming its first Chief Scientist. The Royce is a national institute that brings together capabilities at the Universities of Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool, Cambridge, Oxford, Strathclyde, Cranfield and Imperial College as well as the National Nuclear Labs, and the UK Atomic Energy Authority at Culham.
Read More

An experienced Materials Engineer and technical expert with nearly 30 years in the building industry and building product manufacturing with a focus on research, product development and product compliance. Currently the Group CEO of Think Brick Australia, the Concrete Masonry Association of Australia and the Australian Roofing Tile Association who represent the manufacturers across this industry sector. Cathy has worked in key leadership roles in management and business development with responsibility for the research of new products, technical matters and leading innovation to improve the energy efficiency of operations and to create sustainable building products. Cathy is on the National Board of the Housing Industry Association and was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the building and construction industry in 2020.

Professor Julie Cairney is a Professor in the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Sydney and also serves as the University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research Enterprise). She specialises in using advanced microscopy to study the three-dimensional structure of materials at the atomic scale. Her projects cover hydrogen embrittlement in steels, corrosion, nuclear materials and biominerals. Many of these projects are carried out in collaboration with industry. Her work is published in the top international journals, including Science and the Nature series. She has received a number of awards for this work, including the 2020 Acta Materialia Silver Medal, an international prize that recognises scientific contributions and leadership in materials science. She is the author of over 300 publications, cited 13,000+ times, including a book on the subject of atom probe microscopy. She is also a passionate contributor to the broader scientific community. She has served on the ARC College of Experts and the New Zealand Marsden Fund and was the Vice President of the International Field Emission Society. She is a Special Advisor to the NSW Innovation and Productivity Council and sits on a number of Boards, including Uniseed, Cicada Innovations, the NSW Smart Sensing Network and several start-up companies.