Graham Schaffer is Chair of Australian Academic Volunteers Abroad, Professor Emeritus at The University of Queensland, Honorary Professor at The University of Melbourne and Adjunct Professor at the University of the South Pacific. He was Dean of Engineering at The University of Melbourne, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the College of Science, Health and Engineering at La Trobe University and Executive Dean of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology at The University of Queensland. A materials engineer, the aluminium alloys he designed are used in automotive engines and the nanomaterials processing methods he pioneered are used to produce the active ingredient in sunscreens.

Professor Graham Schaffer is a distinguished and highly cited research leader, undertaking needs-driven strategic research which has had significant academic and commercial impact, leading to over 150 publications, including eight patents, two licence agreements and two start-up companies, including one listed on the ASX with a market capitalisation of $22.8 million. New materials that he has developed are in production in the USA and Asia for automobile applications. Professor Schaffer has recently assumed a key leadership role at the University of Queensland, with academic and financial responsibility for 3000 undergraduate studnets, 300 PhD students, 200 staff and a budget of $42 million.