Lister Staveley-Smith

Lister Staveley-Smith is a Professor and Interim Executive Director of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) at The University of Western Australia. His research focuses on frontline radio astronomy observations, including projects with the ASKAP telescope and preparations for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). He leads the WALLABY HI survey, exploring galaxy properties and large-scale structure. His expertise spans cosmology, galaxy evolution, and instrumentation for next-generation telescopes. He has supervised 9 students and holds grants totaling $ millions, including ACAMAR Visiting Fellowship and ICRAR operational funding.

Research interests include HI surveys, galaxy interactions, star formation, and instrumentation development for facilities like SKA, ASKAP, and FAST. His work contributes to UN SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through international collaborations. Key projects involve analyzing HI gas in interacting galaxies (FEASTS), ultra-deep surveys (FUDS), and radio continuum studies (STAPS). He chairs the Australia-China Consortium for Astrophysical Research (ACAMAR), fostering global partnerships.

Publications emphasize HI distribution, star formation in galaxy pairs, and interferometry techniques. Datasets include the HIPASS survey and ASKAP observations. His leadership roles include past Science Director at ICRAR and Head of Astrophysics at CSIRO. Current activities include guiding ICRAR’s strategic direction and advancing SKA readiness through cutting-edge observational programs.