Dr Giselle Rampersad is a Professor in Innovation in the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University. She is currently the Program Director for the award winning Diploma of Digital Technologies which upskills over 50 shipbuilders from BAE Systems. Under her leadership, the program received national recognition by winning the Australian Defence Industry Award for the Training and Mentorship Program of the Year in 2020, by Defence Connect. She also leads various major defence research projects with BAE Systems and Naval Group.

She has an interdisciplinary educational background including a PhD in Innovation and Technology Management from the University of Adelaide Business School (Australia) and an MSc in e-Business and Internet Systems from Durham University (UK). Her primary research area is in innovation and technology management, with a particular emphasis on devising strategies for firms in managing innovation and developing policies with governments in building innovation capacity. A key part of her research includes industry 4.0, digital transformation and human factors in the adoption of disruptive technologies, including autonomous technologies. Hear a podcast on her research.

Giselle has industry experience in several sectors such as defence, ICT, renewable energy and medical/ health technologies as well as academic experience as she held various positions, namely, Program Director for the Industry Placement (Work Integrated Learning) Program for innovation and enterprise, science, IT and engineering students (2009-2014); Coordinator for several Master and Bachelor Degree Programs in Innovation (2009-2015); founding member of the Advisory Board for Venture Dorm (a program that fosters regional start-up companies in South Australia) (2012); and Lecturer in innovation management, new product development, innovation in medical devices, information systems and project management (2005-present).