Prof Mike Ford
Professor Mike Ford
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
I have an established track record as a researcher and as a research leader/manager. I have held senior academic and leadership positions, most recently as a Professor of Physics and Pro-Vice Chancellor Research: Performance at the University of Technology Sydney.
My research background is in the physics discipline, specialising in materials physics. I apply quantum mechanical computer models to understand and predict the properties of new materials. Most recently I have applied these approaches combined with artificial intelligence to two-dimensional materials to develop methods for high-throughput screening of new materials. This is analogous to drug-discovery in the materials domain.
My leadership interests are in evidenced-based evaluation of research in ways that go beyond standard productivity measures and quality proxies and using these to support research career development and guide strategic research management at all levels. I have experience in implementing institution wide research infrastructure, processes and systems, and data analytics capabilities to support the research effort.
I have led several School, Faculty and University wide change projects around workforce planning and management, provisioning data analytics and digital systems to uplift research quality and productivity.
Since late 2020, I have undertaken several consultancy projects with Australian and New Zealand Universities providing services to analyse and develop research capacity and capability. For example, I recently completed a project to evaluate, using an evidence-based approach, a set of internal research centre proposals and provide advice on overlap with existing capabilities within the institution and extent of genuine collaboration within the proposals.