EdTechSA is delighted to announce that Dr Leanna Read will be joining us to keynote at the 2017 State Conference! Be sure to book your conference ticket today so you don’t miss this amazing opportunity to hear from the stellar lineup of speakers.
Keynote: Australia’s digital future
Digital Technology is not just the language of science and technology, but the foundation of commerce, the core of engineering, and the bread and butter of every trade from cooking to construction. Australia has traditionally relied on exports of primary products. Mining and agriculture have been our mainstay, and served us very well, creating a national wealth and quality of living that is the envy of many nations. However, the face of industry is changing, with predictions that 40% of Australian jobs will not exist in 10-15 years. Digital technologies are one of the main drivers of this transformation. Big data, the Internet of Things, additive manufacturing and machine learning are predicted to disrupt virtually all industries and blur the boundaries between industries. Australia will need to adapt to this new world, as well as threats that are growing exponentially from gaps in cyber security. The foundations are there for this transformation, but business as usual is not an option.
About Dr Leanna Read
Dr Leanna Read is the fourth Chief Scientist for South Australia.
Leanna is a renowned biotechnology expert and brings a wealth of executive, board and investment experience in technology-based businesses.
In addition to her Chief Scientist role, Leanna chairs SA Science Council as well as the Cooperative Research Centre for Cell Therapy Manufacturing. She is also a member of the SA Economic Development Board, the Federal Government Biomedical Translation Fund Committee and the Council for the University of South Australia. She is also on the board of two biotechnology companies and a member of BioAngels, an Adelaide-based Angel investor network.
Leanna has led a number of successful research and commercial ventures, including the Child Health Research Institute and the Cooperative Research Centre for Tissue Growth and Repair. She was the founding Managing Director and CEO of Adelaide biotechnology company, TGR BioSciences from 2001-2012.
A physiologist by training, Dr Read has published over 90 scientific papers. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and has received a number of awards, including an Honorary Doctorate from the University of South Australia; the 2006 South Australian of the Year (Science and Technology) and the 2011 Central Region winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Technology Category.