Professor Anna Giacomini, FTSE

Director, Research Centre for Geotechnical Science & Engineering

Acting Deputy Head of School – Research Training, College of Engineering, Science and Environment Professor Anna Giacomini is an internationally recognized leader in the field of rock mechanics and rockfall analyses. She has made a seminal contribution to the study of rockfall phenomena.

Professor Anna Giacomini has been working in Rock Mechanics and Civil Engineering for more than 20 years, having received her PhD from the University of Parma, Italy in 2003. In 2007 she joined the University of Newcastle; as the principal researcher of an Australian Research Council Linkage Project Anna helped develop new designs for barriers to protect valuable infrastructure, such as roads and railways, from rock fall hazards.

A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Anna is a co-founder of HunterWiSE, a group dedicated to promoting and supporting girls and women in STEM. Aimed at increasing the number of girls and women participating in STEM through a school program and a series of networking events across the Hunter for women STEM professionals, this program is designed to steer women toward STEM and encourage their retention in the STEM pipeline.