Society Fellow, Distinguished Professor Gordon Wallace AO FRSN FAA FTSE, of the University of Wollongong, has been recently elected to the Royal Irish Academy — Ireland’s leading body of experts in the sciences and humanities.  

Gordon Wallace is a world-leading researcher and pioneer in materials science and advanced fabrication with a particular interest in the development of deployable technologies to tackle challenges in energy and health where medical devices complement the body’s own systems to treat disease and repair injuries.

Professor Wallace is the Director of the University of Wollongong Intelligent Polymer Research Institute, Director of the Australian National Fabrication Facility – Materials Node, Director of the Translational Research Initiative for Cellular Engineering and Printing, and previously served as Director of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science. His research interests lie in organic conductors, nanomaterials, and non-destructive methods of characterisation, with his extensive scientific contributions having broken new ground in every aspect of materials research, in academic performance and outcomes, in training the next generation of researchers, and in facilities development.  

Born and raised in Belfast, Gordon Wallace immigrated to Australia at age 14, where his family settled in Geelong. After undertaking undergraduate and PhD studies at Deakin University (Geelong), he commenced his research career at the University of Cork.  Returning to Australia in 1986, he joined the University of Wollongong and maintained active collaborations with Irish research institutions including Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin.  

Professor Wallace’s accolades during his distinguished career include an ARC Laureate Fellowship in 2011, the Eureka Prize for Leadership in Innovation and Science in 2016, NSW Scientist of the Year in 2017, and the award of an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in recognition of his substantial contributions to research, his commitment to research collaboration and innovation, and the subsequent economic, educational, technological and health benefits on a national and international scale that have been generated by his research activities.

The Council of the Royal Society of NSW extends its warmest congratulations to Professor Wallace on this further recognition of his outstanding research career.