Strengthening Indigenous leadership in engineering and space

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Christopher Lawrence as Professor of Practice in Space Innovation and Security Capabilities at Monash Engineering.

Of his appointment he says “The role is about transforming the future of Indigenous Australians in the space sector, building on our highly successful National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA). Using space technologies that also benefit Indigenous Australian cultural knowledge and communities can only make our universe better.”

A proud Noongar Whadjuk / Ballardong man, Professor Lawrence is a leading Indigenous health and wellbeing researcher with a Master of Applied Epidemiology and a PhD in Indigenous health and lifestyle choices.

His career spans health, technology, and space - from leading the Centre for Indigenous Technology Research and Development at UTS to founding the National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA) in partnership with Monash University, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Australian Space Agency.

In 2023, he became Monash University’s first Dean of Indigenous Engagement for the Faculty of Information Technology. Earlier this month he signed a new partnership agreement between Monash University and STFC - the UK's Science and Technology Facilities Council - to expand the NISA program.

We look forward to Professor Lawrence’s leadership in advancing Indigenous engagement, innovation and excellence across the faculty and beyond.