Professor Giselle Rampersad

Dr Giselle Rampersad is a Professor in Innovation in the College of Science and Engineering and Director of the Centre for Defence Engineering Research and Training at Flinders University. She was named STEMM Educator of the Year in 2021 in the SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards and is the Director for the award winning Diploma of Digital Technologies. Under her leadership, it received national recognition, winning the Australian Defence Industry Award for the Training and Mentorship Program of the Year in 2020, by Defence Connect. It also won the Industry Collaboration award at the SA Training Awards in 2021. The program is undertaken by employees from BAE Systems Australia, Boeing, SMEs and teachers.

She leads various major defence research projects.

She has an interdisciplinary educational background including a PhD in Innovation and Technology Management (Adelaide University, Australia) and an MSc in Internet Systems and e-Business (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 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 technologies as well as academic experience as she held various positions, namely, Director for the Work Integrated Learning Program for innovation, science, IT and engineering students (2009-2014); Coordinator for several Master, Bachelor and Diploma Programs (2009-present); founding member of the Advisory Board for Venture Dorm (for start-ups) (2012); and Lecturer in innovation management, innovation in medical devices and project management (2005-present).