Our Chief Scientist: advancing and communicating trusted geoscience
Page last updated:24 March 2026
Our science and how we conduct it are essential foundations for the quality, relevance and trust of Geoscience Australia’s mission and value.
The role of Geoscience Australia's Chief Scientist is to provide strategic leadership of Geoscience Australia’s scientific efforts and capabilities to ensure they provide social, economic, and environmental benefit to Australia.
Dr Steve Hill is Geoscience Australia's Chief Scientist.
The role of the Chief Scientist is to ensure there is geoscientific coordination and leadership in Geoscience Australia, as well as throughout the broader community. This work is fundamental to the successful delivery of Shaping Our Future: Geoscience Australia Strategy 2026-2036.
Geoscience Australia’s strategysets out a vision with clear and measurable objectives and places Geoscience Australia’s Office of the Chief at the centre for ensuring the delivery of quality-assured applied geoscience. In line with Shaping Our Future, the Office of the Chief Scientist is also committed to delivering education programs that develop a pipeline for future geoscience leaders.
Engaging Geoscience Australia with the broader science narrative
A key part of the Chief Scientist’s role is to work alongside the scientific community, government and industry both in Australia and internationally to champion Earth science, contributing to our mission to be the trusted source of information on Australia’s geology and geography. The Office of the Chief Scientist ensures the quality, relevance and best conduct of Geoscience Australia’s science in meeting its strategic purpose and mission.
Chief Scientist Dr Steve Hill
Committees and Panels
Domestic Committees
| Committee | Role | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
AuScope Science Advisory Committee | Geoscience Australia representative | AuScope Science Advisory Committee established to advise the AuScope Board on allocation of funds from the AuScope Opportunity Fund Allocation. |
Flinders Ranges World Heritage Inter-Agency Steering Committee | Geoscience Australia representative as the Federal Government's geoscientific advisor for the Flinders Ranges UNESCO World Heritage nomination | Forum for meeting with South Australian stakeholders for progressing the nomination of the Flinders Ranges towards UNESCO World Heritage status. |
Government Scientists Group (GSG) | Geoscience Australia representative | Forum of Australia's Chief Scientists to discuss initiatives and activities. Key point of engagement with Australia's Chief Scientist. |
National Earth and Environmental Science Facilities Forum (NEESFF) | Geoscience Australia representative | To discuss and investigate strategic initiatives to enhance coordination and collaboration between facilities funded through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) and government entities to enhance benefits for Australian research and society. |
Geoscience Australia representative | The Australian Academy of Science’s committee that links the Academy to Australian Earth scientists and relevant scientific societies and provides a link between Australian and overseas Earth scientists. | |
National Committee for Data in Science | Geoscience Australia representative | To address national data policy, data infrastructure, and data access across the science and research system to promote data interoperability and usability. |
International Committees
| Committee | Role | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP) | Geoscience Australia representative for Australia as a Cooperating Country of the CCOP | Multilateral forum based in Thailand outlining geoscientific initiatives relevant to East and Southeast Asia. Geoscience Australia leads Australia's representation as a Cooperating Country during the CCOP Annual Session. |
Geoscience Australia Chair 2025 - 2026 | A best practice community of national and regional geological survey organisations that generates synergies and provides mutual support with the aim of promoting global dialogue relating to geosciences and addressing national and global geoscience issues. |
Connect with our Chief Scientist:
Dr Steve Hill is passionate about sharing our science and the importance of Earth science. You can connect with him on LinkedIn or follow him and his insights into the landscapes he encounters on his travels on Instagram.
For media interviews, please contact media@ga.gov.au