Anya M. Reading

Professor Anya M. Reading is a distinguished academic in the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Tasmania, where she serves as Professor of Physics. She leads the Compute Antarctic Group and holds key leadership positions including Program Lead for Circum Antarctic and East Antarctic at the Australian Centre of Excellence for Antarctic Science (ACEAS) since 2021, and Chair of the Coordinating Committee for East Antarctica at the International Lithosphere Program.

Professor Reading earned her PhD from the University of Leeds (1997), BSc from the University of Edinburgh (1991), and a Diploma of Music from the Open University (1998). Her academic journey has positioned her as a world leader in computational geophysics and Antarctic research.

Professor Reading's research spans three interconnected domains that have defined her 30+ year career in geophysics. Her primary focus is on computational data inference, where she pioneers advanced techniques in inverse theory and machine learning applied to earthquake seismology, plate tectonic structure, and environmental applications of seismology. She has made significant contributions to pioneer geophysical data collection, leading observational seismology and interdisciplinary field programs in remote environments including Antarctica and outback Australia. Her work on interdisciplinary insight generation focuses on East Antarctica, developing innovative computational strategies to optimize data collection in regions of societal relevance. Her research bridges geophysics, climate science, and computational methods to address critical questions about ice sheet dynamics and Earth systems.

Professor Reading's recent publications reveal a strong trend toward integrating machine learning with traditional geophysics to study Antarctic ice sheets. Her work increasingly focuses on cryoseismology - using seismic signals to monitor glacial processes hidden from satellite observation. A significant portion addresses the ice-bedrock interface, examining how geothermal heat flow influences ice sheet stability. Her publications demonstrate growing emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches combining seismology, magnetotellurics, and computational modeling.

Professor Reading's significant honors include:

• University of Tasmania College of Sciences and Engineering Research Award (Medal, 2021)
• Vice-Chancellor's Leadership Award (Medal, 2019)
• Fulbright Senior Scholar (2016/17)

As an educator and mentor, Professor Reading has supervised over 15 PhD students since 1998. She has secured substantial research funding, with current projects totaling over $6.5 million including an ARC Discovery Project on Antarctic outlet glaciers and the GRIT Phase 3 project for continental-scale geophysical monitoring in Antarctica. Her leadership extends to directing major research infrastructure initiatives that have transformed Australia's capacity for Antarctic research.

Professor Reading leads the Compute Antarctic Group, a dynamic research team focused on computational geophysics and Antarctic research. She also plays a central role in the Australian Centre of Excellence for Antarctic Science, coordinating interdisciplinary research across multiple institutions. Through these groups, she fosters a collaborative environment that integrates field observations, computational modeling, and machine learning to address pressing questions about Antarctic systems and their global implications.