Dr Kristin Alford

Dr Kristin Alford is a futurist and the Director of MOD. at the University of South Australia. MOD. is an immersive museum of discovery, a place to be and be inspired. Kristin leads a team of science communicators and designers developing immersive experiences to showcase research and innovation to young adults. This work has been recognized by a number of awards from the Asia-Pacific Network of Science Centres and the Australian Museums and Galleries Association.

Prior to this role, Kristin was the founding director of foresight agency Bridge8, facilitating futures and engagement on water sustainability, nanotechnology, health, advanced manufacturing, clean technologies and climate futures for government, corporates and not-for-profits.

She is President of the Australia Science and Technology Engagement Network (ASTEN), a member of the global Future-Oriented Museums Synergies Steering Committee, the Inspiring South Australia Steering Group, and the Art & Culture Advisory Board for Lot Fourteen.

Previously she has served on the board of Study Adelaide, The Australian Institute for Urban Studies, Annesley College Council and ANAT and the Advisory Board for the Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments (IVE). She was the inaugural licensee and host of TEDxAdelaide and lectured foresight and social change at the University of Adelaide.

Kristin has had various careers in engineering, human resources, strategy and product development for companies including BHP Billiton, Ansett-Air New Zealand, the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and Nanotechnology Victoria. She holds a PhD in process engineering from the University of Queensland and a Masters of Management in Strategic Foresight from Swinburne University. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the Governor’s Leadership Foundation and a member of the Association of Professional Futurists.

Fellow, Leaders' Institute of South Australia

Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors

Member, Association of Professional Futurists

Member, Australian Science Communicators

Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy (Prevention of Ferrosilicon Corrosion) The University of Queensland

• Master of Management (Strategic Foresight) Swinburne University

• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) The University of Queensland

Work history

Prior to working with the University of South Australia, she was the founder of foresight agency Bridge8 where she facilitated futures, strategy and engagement projects for government, corporate and not-for-profit clients across sectors including advanced manufacturing, clean technologies, mining, natural resources, water, health, urban design and arts.

During this time, Kristin also took on a role as CEO of start-up CleanFutures, aiming to commercialise a nanobiosensor for the water and wine industries. She brought I'm a Scientist, Get Me out of Here! to Australia for student and scientist engagement, and was the licensee of TEDxAdelaide from 2010-2015. She was also the co-organiser and co-facilitator for the Australian Academy of Sciences project and Theo Murphy Think Tank on Living Scenarios for Australia towards 2050, and worked with the South Australian Maritime Museum and Vitalstatistix on engaging the Port Adelaide community in thinking about 100-year futures for the Climate Century project.

Kristin's earlier careers were in metallurgy, human resources management, strategy, industry engagement and marketing and communications with organisations including BHP Billiton, Ansett Air New Zealand, the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and Nanotechnology Victoria.