Dr Sue Barrell AO FTSE is a highly accomplished executive, science leader, independent chair and director, committed to delivering highly valued outcomes for society and the environment through the application of science, technology and data.
Following a 38-year career at the Bureau of Meteorology, spanning all aspects of the Bureau’s responsibilities, Sue retired in August 2018 from her final role as Chief Scientist. Sue spent an extended period with responsibility for the sustained operation of Australia's highly distributed meteorological infrastructure and capability, delivering comprehensive observations of the earth system essential to underpin the Bureau's weather, climate and water services, and enable high quality research outcomes.
Sue has made significant contributions to national and international efforts relating to climate science, climate policy, integrated earth observations, data infrastructure and data policy. She has led and collaborated widely on initiatives spanning multiple domains, from meteorology and atmospheric composition to ocean and polar regions. Sue represented Australia internationally at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations, and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). She led high-level WMO activities focused on Integrated Global Observing Systems; Polar and High Mountain Observations, Research and Services; and the WMO Unified Data Policy.
Sue continues her commitment to science, research infrastructure, leadership, diversity and equity through national and international science leadership, board, council and advisory roles across the scientific, technology and education sectors. Among these, Sue chairs the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory; and the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Panel’s Intervention Risk Review Group. She recently completed two terms chairing the Marine National Facility Steering Committee. She enjoys the opportunity to share experiences with, mentor and learn from those who are at earlier stages in their journey and is a committed advocate for empowering girls and women to take up science careers and to become confident leaders.
In 2022, Sue was recognised as an Officer of the Order of Australia and she was awarded the 67th International Meteorological Organization (IMO) Prize by WMO for leadership in international meteorology. Sue was recognised as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering in 2013. She is an Honorary Member of the American Meteorological Society and a Fellow of the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society. She has a BSc (Hons) in Physics, Graduate Diploma in Meteorology, and a PhD in Astronomy.
