I lead the Workforce and Productivity team in CSIRO’s Data61, where my research focuses on the effects of adopting advanced technologies — particularly AI — within the Australian labour market. I work with AI, government, and industry experts to understand how AI functionalities interact with users’ objectives and contextual conditions to shape the technology’s affordances.
Alongside this research, I lead the delivery of CSIRO’s generative AI upskilling programs, through which participants build the skills, knowledge, and experience to work with AI safely, effectively, and responsibly. I have also contributed to the AI for Climate Australian Roadmap, applying this work to one of the most pressing challenges facing the economy and workforce.
My PhD was completed at the University of Queensland, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Queensland University of Technology. I have also worked at Accenture and in the Corporate Development unit of the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
My research has been covered by outlets including the ABC’s 7:30 Report, The Australian, and the Australian Financial Review, and published in journals such as Nature Human Behaviour, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Organizational Behavior, and Journal of Occupational Health Psychology.
Recent projects include work on metrics for monitoring Industry 4.0 technology adoption (Department of Industry), understanding employment diversity for First Nations peoples (CSIRO Strategic Project), validating the Australian Digital Capability Framework (Australian Industry Standards), and identifying green and traditional energy roles in the labour market (National Skills Commission).
Empowering People for the Digital Era: Skills, Confidence and Competency
Precis
The rapid rise of generative AI highlights the growing need for a digitally confident workforce—one that understands how emerging tools work and can use them safely, ethically and effectively. This session introduces a practical capability framework to support aged care workers and leaders to build the digital, data and AI skills required to make informed decisions and confidently integrate these technologies into everyday practice.