Dr C. Ian Chessell
South Australia's Chief Scientist

was appointed South Australia’s Chief Scientist in March 2008. After completing a PhD in physics at Melbourne University in 1970, Dr Chessell followed a career in the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, retiring as Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist in 2003. Dr Chessell served as a member of the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (2001-2003); in 2003 he was awarded the Centenary Medal for services to defence science and he was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

Dr Chessell is the Chairman of QinetiQ Pty Ltd and is also a member of the Defence South Australia Advisory Board and of the Board of the Anglo-Australian Telescope. He was Chair of the independent Technology Advisory Council of Tenix Pty Ltd from 2004-07 and has held positions as Adjunct Professor in Systems Engineering with the University of South Australia and as Chair of the School of Chemistry and Physics External Advisory Board at Adelaide University.

Dr Chessell chaired the Commonwealth Government’s reviews of National ICT Australia in 2005 and of the Anglo-Australian Telescope in 2006. He was a member of the Commonwealth Government’s Review of the CSIRO’s Flagship Program in 2006.