Australian Laureate Fellowship for Professor Peter Hodgson

The appointment of Deakin University’s Professor Peter Hodgson to the highly prestigious position of Australian Laureate Fellowship (ALF) confirms the University’s accelerating growth as a research institution.

Professor Hodgson, the Director of Research at Deakin’s Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (ITRI) received his award – one of just 15 elite world-class researchers so honoured – from Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

Deakin University was the only Victorian university to win an ALF.

Professor Hodgson was chosen from among 148 applicants as an outstanding researcher of international repute for his work around innovative process technologies and product approaches that aim to minimise the environmental impacts of both the production and the application of metals.

Deakin University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Sally Walker said, “This is a most significant award both for Professor Hodgson and for Deakin. I heartily congratulate Professor Hodgson on this achievement and for the recognition he brings to Deakin by his outstanding research contribution. Professor Hodgson is not only a brilliant researcher, he is also a wonderfully generous colleague who supports other staff and students.”

Professor Hodgson’s research, which aims to develop new metal manufacturing processes and products that will contribute to a more sustainable metal industry, including the motor vehicle industry, will have real and tangible benefits to Australia.

A globally acknowledged expert in innovative light weight metals and advanced materials, especially for the automotive and aerospace industries, Professor Hodgson said the awarding of the ALF had come as a complete surprise.

“When I look at the quality of research that’s being done here in Australia, or by Australians overseas, to be regarded in the top 15 by a body like the ARC is a great honour,” he said.

“However, I can say, with all honesty, this award is not just for me, but for all the people at Deakin, and especially those within ITRI, who have worked so hard to support the vision for our University as a research based institution.

“Even though we have come a long way over the past decade or so, in many ways, this is only a beginning as Deakin strives to achieve its goal of being in the top third of research universities in Australia in terms of performance.

“But an honour like this gives us extra encouragement to keep working towards our vision.”

Funding for the Australian Laureate Fellowships will commence in 2009.

See a Deakin University interview with Professor Peter Hodgson:
http://www.deakin.edu.au/news/

For more information on Australian Laureate Fellowships:
http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/laureate/laureate_default.htm

Listen to Professor Peter Hodgson interviewed on ABC Radio National’s Future Tense:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/futuretense/stories/2009/2607097.htm

Read what The Australian newspaper had to say about the Australian Laureate Fellowship:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25679616-12332,00.html
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25713070-30417,00.html

Read what The Geelong Advertiser had to say about Professor Hodgson’s award:
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/06/23/80005_news.html

Read what The Geelong Independent had to say about Professor Hodgson's career transformation from rock to metal:
http://www.senews.com.au/story/77053

Read other Research News stories on Professor Hodgson:
http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/stories/dynamic.php?story_id=112
http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/stories/dynamic.php?story_id=108
http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/stories/dynamic.php?story_id=85

Still photos courtesy of Norman Plant

> BACK