VALE PROFESSOR ARIEL LIEBMAN (1968–2023)

In 2013, he joined the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash as a Senior Research Fellow in its Optimisation group, later becoming Senior Lecturer (2016), Associate Professor of Practice (2018), then Professor of Practice (2021) in Sustainable Energy Systems.

He held many leadership positions across the University, including Co-leader of the Australia Indonesia Centre Energy Cluster, Co-Director of the Monash Grid Innovation Hub and Deputy Director of the Monash Energy Materials and Systems Institute. This entity became the Monash Energy Institute, of which Professor Liebman was first Associate Director (Smart Energy Systems) and later Director from 2020.

Professor Liebman was a natural networker with a talent for bringing people of all backgrounds together to achieve his vision of a zero-carbon emissions future. Driven by this passion, he played a key role in establishing Monash’s Net Zero by 2030 goal.

Working closely with interdisciplinary researchers, Professor Liebman was integral to many impactful and large-scale research initiatives, such as leading the RACE for Networks Program in the Reliable Affordable Clean Energy (RACE) for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre – Australia's largest CRC ever awarded. He was also an architect for the Monash Grid Innovation Hub and a lead researcher of Monash’s Smart Energy City.

Born in Latvia, Professor Liebman immigrated with his family from Israel to Auckland when he was 13. It was here that he developed a love affair with physics, going on to complete his bachelor’s and master’s degree in this field at the University of Auckland, and his PhD at the University of Queensland (1995). From 1995 to 1997, before moving into the energy sector, Professor Liebman was a Research Fellow in Physics at the University of Queensland and University of Stuttgart.

From 1997 to 2013, Professor Liebman held a rich variety of roles across the energy sector, including Chief Analyst for CS Energy Corporation, Risk Analytics Manager at Ergon Energy and Director of Policy, Regulation and Analysis for the Energy Users Association of Australia. These roles saw him develop best-practice risk quantification systems and risk models while providing sage counsel and strategic advice on reforms, policies, regulatory matters, climate change issues and sustainability opportunities. In his time as a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Queensland (2005-2008), he led the successful UQ bid for the CSIRO Energy Transformed Flagship collaboration cluster, making UQ the largest recipient of cluster funds in the Intelligent Grid flagship collaboration cluster. He also initiated the successful ARC Linkage grant with AGL Energy, investigating the impacts of an emissions trading scheme on the National Electricity Market.

As a friend and colleague, Professor Liebman was known for his collaborative and innovative spirit. Someone who was extremely knowledgeable about energy and technology and specialised in a non-traditional approach to academia and research. He was also a dedicated supervisor and mentor to numerous PhD and Masters students, student teams and junior colleagues.

Another proud title Professor Liebman held was father, deeply devoted to his two children and family. And just like his professional pursuits, his interests were many and varied, from science fiction and fantasy to alternative music. Deeply connected to his Jewish culture and heritage, he also found wisdom in Buddhism.  These aspects of his life painted him as a man of diverse passions and depth.

Professor Liebman’s humour, kindness, enthusiasm and welcome unconventionality will be fondly remembered by those who knew him. His legacy will be carried on by his colleagues and the generations of students, researchers and practitioners to come. Taken far too soon after a short illness, his was certainly a ‘life well lived’.

We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his children and extended family.