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Leadership in Science
WINNER - Professor Robert Clark
Inventing the Future
Australia is at the forefront of developing quantum computer technology - technology which promises to change the future of civilisation. The CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science has been awarded to the scientist leading the charge, Professor Robert Clark, Federation Fellow and Director of the Centre for Quantum Computer Technology at the University of New South Wales.
This prize is part of the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, the Oscars of Australian science. Coveted among science prizes, the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes were announced at a glittering event in Sydney on 19 August attended by a ‘who's who' of Australian science, government, academia and industry.
Professor Clark is the pivotal figure and visionary in quantum computing. He leads an international team grappling with one of the most challenging and critical engineering tasks of our time. "He has made a catalytic effort which will do nothing less than revolutionise our existence," says Dr Robin Batterham, former Australian Chief Scientist.
Quantum computing refers to the use of atoms to compute. It requires harnessing the highly unusual and eccentric properties of atoms to create infinite computing capacity.
Trying to picture the impact quantum computing might have on our daily life is a little like wondering, in 1945, how computers would change the world. Imagine the power of a computer with 10 million times the capacity of current computers. The age of the universe could be calculated in seconds, top-secret codes cracked immediately and web downloads could happen almost instantly. Think of any process or calculation your computer does now, then imagine it occurring 10 million times faster. And that's just the beginning.
With quantum computing still twenty to thirty years away, Clark leads three major teams, each involved in creating a frontier technology that will make the end goal possible. Clark's team are working with fundamental laws of nature at atomic level to construct an electronic device. The work is, literally, fantastically difficult and requires the highest scientific standards and great technical creativity.
Australian Museum Director, Frank Howarth says the international scientific effort involved in quantum computing is similar to that which put man on the moon. "It is focused, involves technology which does not yet exist, and requires an enormous effort. Professor Clark receives his Eureka Prize for outstanding leadership of this task," he says.
When the history of quantum computing is written, Professor Clark's inspired leadership and contributions will be writ large. In 2000, he established the Centre for Quantum Computer Technology, the world's largest Centre devoted to this new science. The Centre has already achieved experimental milestones previously considered unfeasible. It is regarded as the flagship for Australian science and is, according to Dr Jim Peacock, Australian Chief Scientist, probably the lead Centre of Excellence in the Australian Research Council system.
Clark leads the overall international effort on nanotechnology and quantum computing. He has overcome the scepticism of the scientific community, proving that formidable tasks are not unrealistic. Clark's personal and professional qualities are legion. He maximises opportunities for junior staff; his staff present at conferences on average 160 days a year; he is a highly principled, conscientious and gifted researcher. His Centre produced 500 papers in five years. Clark himself has co-authored 160 refereed papers and 60 conference papers.
Clark oversees $7 million annually, leading over 170 staff in six Australian universities, eighteen American, fourteen European and six Asian-Pacific institutions, including a major United States Defence laboratory. Clark is tenured at both University of NSW and Oxford University.
Professor Clark is a fellow of the Academy of Science and a member of the US Government Quantum Computing Roadmap Technology Expert Panel. He has been awarded the Australian Defence Medal and the Centenary Medal, and is one of few scientists to have their Federation Fellowships renewed for a second term.
The $10,000 CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science is awarded to an Australian individual who has demonstrated an outstanding role and impact in leadership in science.
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Sponsor
The CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science is sponsored by CSIRO.
Description
The CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science is awarded to an Australian individual who has demonstrated an outstanding role and impact in science.
prize
$10,000
Purpose
Leadership is pivotal in defining objectives, harnessing, motivating and mobilising talent, and pushing through for results. This applies as much to science as to any other field of human endeavour.
Australia is blessed with many gifted science leaders, who integrate their science talents with the people-skills necessary to make a sustainable difference.
These people can be found in universities, in research laboratories, in policy settings, in the media and in schools.
Some are old (but young at heart!). Some are young, yet strong in impact.
Australia's success as a nation will, in large part, depend on its leaders. Science leadership continues therefore to be of prime importance.
The CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science acknowledges and celebrates the role and impact of great leadership in science.
Judging Criteria
Entries should specifically address how the work entered meets the following judging criteria:
1. A demonstrated track record of results achieved through working with others, but possible only through the catalytic impact of quality leadership
2. Evidence of a clear vision carried through to fruition
3. A demonstrated energy, passion and commitment evident over time
4. An exemplar of the Chinese maxim of leadership: "When the job gets done, the people say "We did it ourselves"
5. Leadership achievements recognised in a broader environment and beyond the immediate team.
Conditions of entry
This prize is open only to individuals. Entries consisting of more than one individual are not eligible.
Entrants can either enter themselves or be nominated by others. If nominating an entrant, please ensure that they have the opportunity to provide input to the documentation provided in support of their nomination.
Activity entered for this prize must have been undertaken:
• in Australia by an Australian citizen or Australian resident
Online entry forms close 5pm AEST Friday 2 May 2008. Hard copy entries will not be considered until and unless an online entry form has been completed.
Completed entries must be received by the Australian Museum no later than 5pm AEST on Friday 9 May 2008. Entries delivered to the Australian Museum after this time will not be considered.
Entries with insufficient sets of documentation will not be considered. Submitted material will not be returned.
The activity entered/nominated for this prize may not be entered/nominated for another Australian Museum Eureka Prize.
The deliberations of the judging panel remain confidential. All recommendations and decisions taken are binding and final and no correspondence will be entered into on such matters.
Information provided by the entrant(s) in relation to the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes (including photos), may be used by the Australian Museum for promotional/publicity purposes.
Personal information provided in connection with the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes will be used only by the Australian Museum and only in connection with the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.
How to enter
1. Complete an online entry form
Complete the online entry form by 5pm AEST on Friday 2 May 2008. Make sure you print out a copy.
2. Prepare five (5) sets of the entry, with each set consisting of:
1. a printed copy of the online entry form as submitted
2. a brief personal profile of the entrant (two page maximum)
3. a brief description of the entrants activity, including objectives and results to date (two page maximum)
4. a brief description of how the entrant's activity addresses each of the judging criteria (two page maximum)
5. a maximum of four (4) written reports addressing each of the judging criteria from assessors who are familiar with the entrant's work. NOTE: Judges rely on assessor's reports to provide additional perspective and informed opinion on entries. Therefore, assessors should not be personally or directly involved in the activity entered in this prize.
3. Submit the entry
Submit five (5) complete and separate sets of the entry clipped together (not bound). Please do NOT bother with elaborate presentation when submitting the entry. This will be removed before material is sent to judges. The five (5) sets of the entry should be sent to:
Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science
Australian Museum
6 College Street
SYDNEY NSW 2010
4. DEADLINE for submission of entries
The five (5) sets of the entry must be received at the Australian Museum by 5pm AEST on Friday 9 May 2008. Entries received after this time will not be considered.
