Anna Giacomini

Professor Anna Giacomini is a leading academic in Rock Mechanics and Civil Engineering at the University of Newcastle. She holds a PhD from the University of Parma, Italy, and has been at the University of Newcastle since 2005. Her roles include Director of the Priority Research Centre for Geotechnical Science and Engineering and Deputy President of the Academic Senate (Research). She specializes in rockfall hazard analysis, mine geotechnics, and numerical modeling of geomechanical systems.

Her research focuses on improving safety in mining and civil environments, with over $7.5M in funding and 140+ publications. Key areas include rockfall trajectory analysis, energy absorption in safety barriers, and drapery systems. She has led 20 major projects through ACARP and pioneered low-cost photogrammetric monitoring systems for rock slopes.

Professor Giacomini is also a co-founder of HunterWiSE, promoting women in STEM. She has received prestigious awards such as the 2022 NSW Premier’s Engineering Prize and the 2019 John Booker Medal. Her administrative roles include membership in the ARC College of Experts and leadership in gender equity initiatives.

Her technical contributions span experimental and numerical rock mechanics, including advancements in discrete element modeling (DEM) and stochastic approaches for discontinuity shear strength prediction. She collaborates internationally with institutions like the Colorado School of Mines and the University of Bologna.