Current as of 06/06/2023

Trevor Powell was formerly Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Geoscience Australia (GA). He has had an extensive research and research management career in petroleum geology and geochemistry, marine and environmental geology both at Geoscience Australia and at the Geological Survey of Canada, Calgary. Since retiring from GA in 2005 he has been a consultant. In this role he has been involved in: planning and management of Australian Government investments in scientific infrastructure (NCRIS) in marine science, ecosystems science and high performance computing, development of the petroleum technology program for the annual conference of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, selection of tenders for Australia’s new research vessel and continues engagement in public outreach on the future of energy in the context of climate change. He was President of the Australian Geoscience Council 2006-2009, Chair of Advisory Board for Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System 2007-2011 and Chair Executive Committee Australian Research Collaboration Service 2009 – 2011.

His awards include the Lewis Weeks Gold Medal of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, Medal of Merit of the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists, Australian Organic Geochemistry Medal and Australian Public Service Centenary Medal.

Dr Trevor Powell is an internationally renowned organic geochemist with exceptional skills in scientifi leadership, management and public policy. As a senior executive in Geoscience Australia and its predecessors he has successfully guided the policies, planning and funding for, and acquisition of, the precompetitive geoscientific information that supports Australia's offshore petroleum exploration industry. He has also led an offshore and coastal environmental geoscientific research program to support the implementation of the Commonwealth's Ocean Policy, and he has guided to a successful completion the vast geoscientific survey program underpinning the case for the legal extensions to Australia's continental shelf under the United Nation's Convention of Law of the Sea.