Let's talk robotics with Professor Elizabeth Croft

Eps 21: Joining me in today’s episode of “Let’s talk robotics” is Professor Elizabeth Croft! Elizabeth is the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Professor in the Departments of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering at Monash University. Her research in industrial robotics and human-robot interaction advances the design of intelligent controllers and interaction methods that underpin how people and autonomous, collaborative systems can work together in a safe, predictable, and helpful manner.

Professor Croft has an exceptional record of advancing women’s representation and participation in engineering. Most recently, as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Chair for Women in Science and Engineering (2010-2015), she worked with partners in funding agencies, industry, academe, and the education system on comprehensive strategies to improve women’s participation and retention in the STEM disciplines at all level. As the Marshall Bauder Professor in Engineering Economics, Business and Management Training from 2015-2017, she launched the Master of Engineering Leadership degrees at UBC.

Her outstanding contributions to education and research have earned Professor Croft considerable acclaim, including the NSERC Accelerator Award from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (2007-10), the Alan Blizzard Award, Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in 2008, WXN’s top 100 most powerful women in Canada 2014 and the RA McLachlan Award - the peak career award for Professional Engineers in the Province of British Columbia. She is a fellow of the ASME, Engineers Australia, Engineers Canada and the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

Discussing in today’s episode:

  • You are passionate about advancing women in STEM – tell us why you think this is so important to have more women in STEM

  • Relocating to Australia from Canada

  • Monash University is in the top 100 worldwide and the faculty of engineering is considered the best in Australia, what makes it so good?

  • You have a new undergrad in robotics and mechatronics, how many students did you have last year – it must have been a tough start to a course with covid?

  • The new robotics precinct at Monash and much more!

Reach out to Elizabeth at Elizabeth.Croft@monash.edu

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