Making Australia Home: Interview Series

Public Lecture | Updated 1 decade ago

Portraits of the lecture speakers, Diana Jones and Lyn Beazley
Diana Jones (left) and Lyn Beazley (right)
Image courtesy of Diana Jones and Lyn Beazley

You’re invited to attend the penultimate interview in the HOME (History of Migrant Experience) series. 

The History of Migration Experiences (HOME) Centre at Curtin University, in conjunction with the Western Australian Museum, is hosting this series of interviews with prominent migrants who came to live in Western Australia. The HOME Centre is part of the Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute (CUSP). 

In this interview, former ABC reporter Verity James will interview: Professor Lyn Beazley and Dr Diana Jones – two of this states leading women scientists, both of whom emigrated from the United Kingdom and created families, lives and careers in WA.

Diana Jones 

Diana has a background of biochemical and immunological research in the UK, but in Australia has specialised in marine biology. Her research has been focused on the marine biodiversity of the crustaceans of Western Australian and Australian waters, specialising in the systematics, phylogenetics and biogeography of barnacles, with expertise in deep sea and hydrothermal vent species and the identification of introduced marine species. She has described 34 new crustacean taxa and published over 70 peer-reviewed scientific papers, as well as award winning popular publications. 

As Executive Director, Perth Museum and Collections, Diana manages the Perth Museum and also oversees the care and management of the State’s diverse natural science and cultural collections at the WA Museum Collections and Research Centre at Welshpool. She is committed to education and to the integration and translation of strategic collection, content and research activities into accessible products to stimulate learning and innovation. This includes educational and curriculum based resources, online and physical exhibitions, digital content and the use of social and emerging technologies. 

Through strategic partnerships, Diana has had extensive experience in large scale, multidisciplinary research programs. She also occupies an international scientific editorial position. 

Lyn Beazley 

After graduating from Oxford and Edinburgh Universities, Professor Beazley built an internationally renowned research team in Neuroscience that focused on recovery from brain damage, much of her investigations undertaken at The University of Western Australia. 

Professor Beazley was appointed Chief Scientist of Western Australia in 2006 to advise the Western Australian Government on science, innovation and technology. She has extensive experience serving on advisory bodies, including the Federal Government’s Bionic Vision Australia and the State Government of Western Australia’s Technology and Industry Advisory Council. 

Professor Beazley was awarded Officer of the Order of Australia in 2009 and made a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering later that year. In 2011, she was inducted into the inaugural Western Australian Women’s Hall of Fame. Professor Beazley is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators and a Companion of Engineers Australia. 

In 2012, Professor Beazley became the second recipient of the Governor’s Award for Giving, in recognition of her enthusiastic philanthropy through her outreach activities promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in the Western Australian community.