Award-winning digital sociologist and HCI expert appointed Director (Research) of Monash Energy Institute
Starting in 2025, Professor Yolande Strengers has been appointed Director (Research) of the Monash Energy Institute – a role that will spearhead its research vision and ambitions for energy transition towards a net-zero future.
Professor Strengers is internationally recognised for her innovative work integrating social and technological aspects of household and community engagement with future energy systems. The outcomes and insights from her research have heavily influenced discourse and policy on smart grids, renewable energy adoption and the socio-technical challenges of achieving net-zero emissions.
A forthcoming Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Professor Strengers has played a leadership role in many grants, having secured $11M in external research funding to date – and with over $8M dedicated to energy.
Currently she is leading a $5.1 million cash ($9.1M total) Reliable Affordable Clean Energy for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre grant (under contract) involving research entities, market bodies, government departments and peak bodies in the energy sector.
Professor Strengers also oversees the Energy Futures research programme in the Emerging Technologies Research Lab, which investigates how people will incorporate and use energy technologies in their everyday lives to inform decarbonisation and energy policy. And previously, she was the Institute’s Associate Director (Consumers) where she embedded a strong consumer focus into all its activities while bringing energy partners to the Institute’s Advisory Council and operations.
‘Professor Strengers’ strategic vision, leadership and proven experience in building industry-research partnerships will help position the Institute to make a greater impact on both the research community and energy sector at large.’ said the Institute’s Director, Shreejan Pandey.
Beyond leadership in energy, Professor Strengers was the Faculty of Information Technology’s inaugural Associate Dean (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) whose strategy and vision were integral to earning Monash University its prestigious Cygnet Award for IT academic carer support – making it the first member of the Group of Eight universities to have four.
Reflected by numerous esteemed accolades, such as the Women in AI and Women Leading Tech Awards, Professor Strengers’ technological acumen, unwavering human focus and commitment to sustainability make her well-suited to drive the Institute’s impact as its Director (Research).
About the Monash Energy Institute
The Monash Energy Institute is a dynamic community of energy researchers and practitioners at Monash University, committed to maximising the University's impact in energy transition research and training focused on the electricity value chain.
The Institute leverages multidisciplinary strengths and academic leadership across social, technical and market economics to drive the development of impactful research, industry engagement and professional training while shaping energy policy with evidence-based insights.
It manages flagship Monash energy initiatives like the Energy Lab and Grid Innovation Hub, and facilitates the Monash University’s involvement in initiatives like RACE for 2030 CRC.