John Bell has worked in research, Government agencies, and consulting. His PhD from Sydney University was followed by postdoctoral appointments at University of California Los Angeles and the Australian National University (ANU). He worked as a Government adviser in Australian government departments responsible for the environment, science and industry (and also two periods at the OECD) rising to Deputy Secretary and Chief Science Adviser. After leading the ANU's commercial arm and serving as Acting Director at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) he commenced consulting in 2001. John was a non-executive Director of the Australian Genome Research Facility 2015-23. He was elected a Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering in 1993, and awarded a Centenary medal in 2001 for his strategic contribution to Australian research and development.
Other appointments and awards included:
* Member of Hong Kong Chief Minister's Advisory Group on Science and Technology (1997);
* Member of the Australian Research Council (1998-2000);
* Member of the Industry R&D Board (1998-2001);
* Elected a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical institute;
* Appointed a Companion of Engineers Australia.
1963
1964
Education - Master of Science (MSc), Auckland University, Chemistry Department (supervised by Professor D. Hall and Professor N. Waters)
1964
1969
Career position - Teaching Fellow and PhD candidate, Sydney University Crystal Structure Group with Professor H.C. Freeman and the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering
1969
1972
Career position - Post-doctoral fellow, University of California Los Angeles, Molecular Biology Institute and Chemistry Department working with Professor D. Eisenberg
1972
1974
Career position - Research fellow, Australian National University Research School of Chemistry with Professor G. Roberston
1974
1977
Career position - Public servant, Australian Department of Environment and Conservation. Adviser to Redcliff Inquiry, Government witness at Fraser Island Inquiry, advised the Government on DDT, drafted and administered environmental impact legislation, advised on Ranger Uranium and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
1977
1980
Career position - Assistant Secretary, Australian Department of Science. Advised the Government on science policy and related matters, set up and was a member of the Recombinant DNA Monitoring Committee
1977
1980
Career position - Science and Environment Counsellor, Australian Permanent Delegation to the OECD, Paris. Represented Australia on the Committee for Science and Technology Policy, the Environment Committee, the Committee for Information Computer and Communications Policy, the Chemicals Committee (where he played a key role in getting it established).
1980
1984
Career position - First Assistant Secretary, Australian Department of Science and Technology. Led Technology Development Division, advised the Government on the adoption of information technology, incentives for venture capital, promoting business investment in research and development
1984
1988
Career position - Division Head, OECD Directorate for Science, Technology & Industry. Led an international team undertaking studies and country reviews for the Committee on Science and Technology Policy and its subcommittees. Commissioned consultancies and managed high-level relations with OECD member countries and their diplomatic representatives in Paris
1989
1991
Career position - First Assistant Secretary, Australian Department of Industry. Advised Government on industry, innovation, research and related matters
1991
1997
Career position - Deputy Secretary and Chief Science Advisor, Australian Department of Industry. Responsible for advice to Government, with responsibility/oversight of a number of Divisions, agencies and statutory authorities, represented the Government on numerous Boards (e.g. National Association of Testing Authorities) and Committees (e.g. Chaired the Commonwealth Coordination Committee on Science and Technology, and the Oil Industry Forum). Non-executive director of the Australian Technology Group Ltd. Secretary to the Prime Minister's Science and Engineering Council [check dates, ed.]. Member of the Prime Minister's Prizes for Science Committee
& Chief Science
Adviser, Australian Department of Industry
1993
1993
Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE)
1997
2000
Career position - Managing Director, ANUTECH Pty Ltd. Commercial arm of the ANU responsible for technology commercialisation, development aid contracts with AusAID and the ADB, teaching English to foreign students. Spun off Australian Scientific Instruments Pty Ltd, manufacturer of the SHRIMP. Led ANUTECH team involved in startup of Biotron Ltd
1 Jan 2001
1 Jan 2001
Award - Centenary Medal - for service to Australian society in strategic research and development
2001
2001
Career position - Acting Director, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville. Recruited new Director, built a new research vessel (RV Cape Ferguson) and contracted the redevelopment of the laboratories at Cape Cleveland
2001
2013
Career position - Associate Director, Allen Consulting Group. Led or contributing author to hundreds of reports. Managed the Canberra Office for several years
2013
Career position - Senior Associate, ACIL Allen
2015
2023
Career position - Non-executive Director, Australian Genome Research Facility Ltd (AGRF)