ATSE President recognised with Cooperative Research Australia Lifetime Achievement Award

Congratulations to ATSE President Dr Katherine Woodthorpe, who has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from Cooperative Research Australia. Over the span of her career, Katherine has led and supported the critical work of 14 different Cooperative Research Centres covering sectors from bushfire safety, climate change, medical technology and Antarctic science. As Chair and board member of these Centres, Katherine provided leadership and guidance on growing their impact, effectively engaging with government and advocating for Australian R&D, innovation and commercialisation.

This accolade reflects Katherine’s many and varied contributions to Australian innovation. As a voice for STEM professionals and industry bodies, she has worked throughout her career to support research collaboration and the translation of excellent ideas into real, practical solutions to solve problems in the world around us.

The ATSE President since 2023, Katherine has supported the ATSE Fellowship, guided the organisation as it has grown its influence and impact, and contributed to significant national public debates from Artificial Intelligence, nuclear power, innovation policy and much more. She stands tall among Australia’s STEM and industry leaders as a lifelong contributor to R&D innovation, national improvement and the diversification of the STEM workforce.

Award citation

Lifetime Achievement Award 

Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO FTSE FAICD 

A tireless advocate for research collaboration, Dr Woodthorpe AO has led and supported 14 CRCs across diverse sectors – from bushfire safety to medical technology – and served as Chair and board member of multiple CRCs. Her work has consistently enabled leading-edge research to be translated into real-world innovations through strong partnerships between research, government and industry.