In this talk, physics pioneer Professor Susan Scott offers some insights, both professional and personal, into one of the greatest and most remarkable journeys of scientific discovery.

On 11 February 2016, the 1,000 strong international collaboration of scientists and engineers, of which Susan is a member, announced the first direct detection of gravitational waves on Earth. This was a scientific achievement which ranks right up at the top of the pile in the annals of human scientific endeavour. Watch on to find out how this groundbreaking moment in human history unfolded.

Professor Susan Scott is Professor of Theoretical Physics in the Research School of Physics and Engineering at the Australian National University. She became the first female Professor of Physics (with one other woman) at the Australian National University in 2009. Her research expertise is in gravitational physics, general relativity theory, cosmology and gravitational waves. Professor Scott is a member of the international team which announced the first direct detection of gravitational waves on Earth in 2016. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and of the European Academy of Sciences. She is a Program Leader in the new Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery and an enthusiastic Ambassador for Business Events Sydney.

Professor Scott is passionate about science, and as a woman and the proud mum of two daughters, cares deeply about the participation of women in science and policy making which will determine the future health of our planet. Professor Susan Scott became the first female Professor of Physics (with one other woman) at the Australian National University in 2009. She is a member of the international team which announced the first direct detection of gravitational waves on Earth in 2016.