Our Keynote Speaker Lineup

We are very excited that we have been able to engage some of the best international and local speakers to motivate, educate and entertain for our general sessions and optional workshops. Our speaker's include:

Dr Alan Finkel AC

 

Dr Alan Finkel AC is a neuroscientist, engineer and entrepreneur. He was Australia’s chief scientist from 2016 to 2020, during which time he led the National Electricity Market Review, the development of the National Hydrogen Strategy, and the panel that advised the Australian Government on the 2020 Low Emissions Technology Roadmap.  He is currently Chair of Stile Education, Chair of the Australian Government’s Technology Investment Advisory Council, Special Adviser to the Australian Government on Low Emissions Technologies and Chair of the international expert panel for the Australian Government hosted Sydney Energy Forum to be held in July 2022.

Dr Brian L. Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer, Georgia Aquarium

Dr. Brian Davis is Georgia Aquarium’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Davis brings with him more than 25 years of experience in senior leadership roles within zoological and educational institutions, having previously held positions at Georgia Aquarium on two separate occasions. Dr. Davis first joined the Georgia Aquarium team prior to its founding in 2003, as the Director of Education, later served as the Aquarium’s Vice President of Education and then most recently as Executive Vice President of Operations.  Dr. Davis is the current Chair for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums He has also recently been appointed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to the Georgia Tourism Foundation Board of Directors.

Prior to Dr. Davis’s most recent role at Georgia Aquarium, he served as President and CEO of the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, where he oversaw the enhancement of the Aquarium’s footprint. Dr. Davis has also served in both teaching and administrative roles in Cobb County’s school system, and spent time developing education programs at both New York Aquarium and Zoo Atlanta.

Dr. Davis has authored and co-authored papers related to science education, aquariums and other science related topics. He has served as an Adjunct Professor for Schools of Education at Georgia State University and Mercer University, and has served on the Boards of Directors for Centennial Place Elementary School, Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Open Door Shelter, NorwalkACTS, and has served on the Board of Directors for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

A New Jersey native, Dr. Davis has fond memories of enjoying family vacations at the shore, where his lifelong passion for the ocean was ignited. Dr. Davis graduated from Rutgers University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science, later earning both a Masters of Education and his Ph.D. in Secondary Science Education at Georgia State University.

Our Animal Welfare Panel

Professor Alan Tilbrook, Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & Food Innovation, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland

Professor Alan Tilbrook is nationally and internationally recognised for leading scientific research in animal science and biomedical science (endocrinology, neuroendocrinology, behaviour, stress, and reproduction). He is a global leader in animal welfare science. Professor Tilbrook has an outstanding balanced portfolio in leadership, strategic planning, research, academia, education, and government. He leads the Animal Welfare Theme within the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation and leads animal welfare science in the School of Veterinary Science at The University of Queensland. Professor Tilbrook has established and is the Managing Director of The Animal Welfare Collaborative (TAWC), a national initiative to improve the welfare of animals in Australia. TAWC is led by The University of Queensland in partnership with The University of Western Australia, The University of Adelaide, and The University of Newcastle. TAWC makes the science of animal welfare more accessible and usable and acts as a bridge for industries, governments, and community groups to work together to deliver better animal welfare outcomes for Australia. TAWC provides non-partisan independence, credibility, and scientific rigour.

He is Chair and Research Champion of the National Primary Industries Animal Welfare Research, Development and Extension Strategy, represents Universities Australia on the Board of the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching, was a founder, Deputy Director and Co-Director of the Animal Welfare Science Centre, was the Research Chief of Livestock and Farming Systems at the South Australian Research and Development Institute and was Deputy Head of the Department of Physiology at Monash University. He has held numerous national and local leadership roles. Professor Tilbrook's research is conceptually driven with a multidisciplinary and integrative approach. He has developed cutting edge research programs across a range of species including sheep, pigs, poultry, cattle, goats, rodents, horses and humans. Professor Tilbrook places a huge emphasis on collaboration, training and professional development.

Dr Bidda Jones AM, Director, Strategy and Research

Dr Bidda Jones AM is the Director of Strategy and Research at the Australian Alliance for Animals, a new national charity focusing on achieving systemic change for animals through effective, high-impact interventions. A zoologist specialising in animal behaviour and welfare, Bidda previously worked for RSPCA Australia as Chief Science and Strategy Officer, establishing the organisation’s reputation as a trusted source of animal welfare science over her 25-year tenure. Her advocacy has spanned most areas of animal interaction and use, from live exports and intensive farming to horseracing and wildlife management. A strong exponent of the Five Domains model, Bidda has published over 35 reports and articles and represented the interests of animals on multiple government and industry committees. She is an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney’s School of Veterinary Science and sits on Zoos Victoria’s Scientific Advisory Committee. In 2021, Bidda was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant services to animal welfare science and advocacy. Bidda lives on Walbanja country in southern NSW, on a covenanted conservation property which is home to a significant population of endangered greater gliders.

 

Ian A. Robertson, Barrister and Solicitor, Veterinarian, Animal Law Specialist 

Ian is the unusual career combination of veterinarian turned lawyer. He is a former Prosecutor in New Zealand, State-wide Specialist in Australia, and now works across Australasia and internationally as a specialist Barrister and Key Advisor on the subject of animal law. He is the Principal of Guardianz Animal Law and Co-Founder of the Sentient Animal Law Foundation demonstrating the law reform that puts positive animal welfare into contemporary law.