Benjamin Eggleton

Professor Benjamin Eggleton is a distinguished academic and researcher at the University of Sydney, where he holds the position of Professor of Optical Physics and serves as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research). He is also the co-Director of the NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) and has been instrumental in establishing major research centers including the University of Sydney Nano Institute (Sydney Nano, 2018-2022), CUDOS (ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultrahigh bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems, 2003-2017), and Sydney's Institute of Photonics and Optical Science (IPOS, 2009-2018).

Professor Eggleton's research spans fundamental to applied science, with pioneering contributions to nonlinear optics and all-optical signal processing. His work focuses on the nonlinear optics of periodic media, slow-light in photonic crystals, ultrafast planar waveguide nonlinear optics, and chalcogenide glasses for telecommunications applications. His research aligns with the Faculty of Science Research Strengths in Fundamental Laws of Nature, Communication Technologies, and National Security. Key projects include Stimulated Brillouin Scattering in photonic chips, Quantum integrated photonics, All optical and non-linear signal processing, Mid-Infrared Photonics, and Air quality sensing using photonic sensors.

His publication record is extensive, with over 500 journal publications (42,000 citations, h-index of 113 on Google Scholar). His recent work demonstrates a strong trend toward integrated photonics, particularly in chip-based microwave photonics, quantum applications, and biomedical sensing technologies. There's a clear emphasis on practical implementation of fundamental optical phenomena for real-world applications in communications, sensing, and defense.

• 2022 Academic of the Year for Defence Industry Awards
• 2020 W. H. Beattie Steel Medal of the Australian and New Zealand Optical Society
• 2020 Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia
• 2017 Vice Chancellors Award for Outstanding Research
• 2011 Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science
• 2007 Pawsey Medal from the Australian Academy of Science

Professor Eggleton has held significant leadership roles including President of the Australian Optical Society (2008-2010) and Editor-in-Chief for Optics Communications (2007-2015) and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief for APL Photonics. He is a Fellow of multiple prestigious societies including the Australian Academy of Science (AAS), Optical Society of America (OSA), IEEE Photonics, SPIE, and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE). His work has attracted substantial research funding through ARC Laureate and Federation Fellowships, and he leads major collaborative projects with industry and defense applications.

His research group maintains strong connections with multiple institutes including the Sydney Environment Institute, Sydney Institute of Agriculture, and The University of Sydney Nano Institute, demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of his work which bridges physics, engineering, and practical applications across multiple sectors.