Diana Hicks, a professor in the Ivan Allen College School of Public Policy at Georgia Tech, has been appointed to the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) newly formed Engagement and Impact Technical Working Group. Hicks will bring more than 20 years of experience in science policy analysis and bibliometric methods to the 13-member group.

In light of the recent significant shift in Australia’s science and technology policy through the National Innovation and Science Agenda, the Technical Working Group is one of two working groups assisting in the development of a research engagement and impact assessment for Australia. Group members will provide advice regarding the development of an appropriate methodology, the assessment requirements of different disciplines as well as end-users across business and other sectors, and the development of appropriate measures and indicators of research impact and engagement. ARC Chief Executive Officer Professor Aidan Byrne noted, “These working groups will provide critical advice and support to the Engagement and Impact Steering Committee as we develop this new assessment. The groups are made up of experts from across the sector, including international experts, and I have the utmost confidence they will contribute greatly in this development process.”

Hicks’ participation in the Technical Working Group will continue until the end of 2017.