Topic Reference Group Consultations

To support the development of the 2026 NRI Roadmap, 3 Topic Reference Groups have been established. The groups bring together expertise from across Australia’s research system to provide advice and insights on field-specific aspects of the Roadmap.

The following Topic Reference Groups have been established:

• Artificial Intelligence and Research Infrastructure (AI&RI)
• National Digital Research Infrastructure (NDRI)
• Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (HASS/GLAM)

These groups have been established by the NRI Advisory Group’s Expert Working Group (EWG) and are chaired by EWG members.

More information about the EWG can be found on the 2026 NRI Roadmap webpage.

Topic Reference Group Membership

AI&RI

• Professor Andrew Lonie
• Glen Berman
• Professor James Smithies
• Dr Liming Zhu
• Professor Melanie Johnston-Hollitt
• Professor Maurice Pagnucco FTSE
• Emeritus Professor Robyn Owens AM FAA FTSE
• Sarah Pink PhD FASSA
• Dr Sue Keay FTSE GAICD
• Professor Toby Walsh FAA FTSE

Chaired by Emeritus Professor Liz Sonenberg.

NDRI

• Andrew Gilbert
• Emeritus Professor David Abramson FACM, FIEEE, FTSE, FACS
• Dr Hayley Teasdale
• Heath Marks GAICD MBA BIT
• Distinguished Professor Jean Burgess FAHA FQA
• Ms Rebecca Ostergaard
• Rosie Hicks
• Mr Richard Northam
• Emeritus Professor Robyn Owens AM FAA FTSE
• Sach Jayasinghe FATEM FQA GAICD
• Professor Shazia Sadiq FTSE

Chaired by Emeritus Professor Joseph Shapter FRACI CChem.

HASS/GLAM

• Professor Emerita Joanne Tompkins FAHA
• Professor Frank Bongiorno AM FRHistS FASSA FAHA
• Professor Gaye Sculthorpe PhD Dip. Mus. Stud. GCHELT FAHA
• Ms Jenny Fewster AssDipBus(Mktg) GradCertInfMgt GradCertAblStud GradDipInfMgt(LbryInfMgt)
• Distinguished Professor Julian Thomas FAHA
• Dr Kylie Brass
• Professor Mathew Trinca AM FAHA
• Professor Melanie Swalwell
• Professor Michael Haugh FAHA
• Professor Nicholas Brown FASSA

Chaired by Emeritus Professor Mark Western FASSA.