Dr Sue Barrell appointed SUPL Chair

Dr Sue Barrell has been appointed Chair of the SUPL Board, replacing Dr Leonie Walsh in the position.

Dr Barrell is an accomplished executive and leader committed to delivering valued outcomes for society and the environment through science, technology and data.

Recently retired from the Bureau of Meteorology where she was the Chief Scientist responsible for Science to Services, Innovation, Global and National Relationships, and Diversity, Inclusion and STEM, Dr Barrell has made significant contributions to national and international efforts in climate science, policy and through board and advisory roles across science, technology and the education sectors.

She has represented Australia internationally and led high-level activities at the World Meteorological Organisation, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations.

Dr Barrell said she is looking forward to being part of the globally significant research that will be carried out at SUPL from 2022.

“I am really excited about being involved with SUPL and the many opportunity it provides, not least to deliver absolutely breakthrough science at a global level. If the experiments within SUPL are able to definitely detect and identify dark matter, and I really hope we do, we will be part of solving one of the universe’s greatest mysteries,” Dr Barrell said.

“SUPL will also enable Australian scientists to expand the horizons of fundamental physics knowledge through the development and use of ultra-sensitive detectors and experimental techniques, which will offer new and innovative opportunities to Australian industry. And SUPL, located deep within the Stawell Gold Mine, is also the perfect vehicle for teaching the next generation about how exciting and seriously cool science can be!”