Governance

Structure

To ensure the widest possible participation of Australian researchers in TERN, the national research infrastructure project operates as a multi-institutional collaboration. An Advisory Board of independent and representational members of the collaborating institutions and an independent Science Advisory Committee support the Director of TERN and the Lead Agent, the University of Queensland, in the governance of nationwide TERN. 

TERN Executive Group
  • Chair - TERN Director
Science Advisory Committee
  • Distinguished Prof Belinda Medlyn – Chair 
  • Dr Margaret Byrne PSM- Deputy Chair
  • Prof Adrienne Nicotra
  • Prof Alex McBratney FAA
  • Prof Andy Pitman AO FAA
  • Mr Jim Walker
  • Prof Megan Lewis
  • Dr Ross Wilkinson

Adhoc

Subcommittees &
working groups of the TERN Advisory Board

Lead Agent and Operational Partners

The University of Queensland (UQ) is the recipient of TERN’s Australian Government NCRIS grant and has legal responsibility for delivering the TERN project. The head office and data services components of TERN are operated from UQ while operation of the observatory components of the project are contracted to CSIRO, University of Adelaide and James Cook University. These three Operational Partners then contract other institutions to assist with operation of specific sites or development of products.

TERN Advisory Board

Independent members and representatives of the Lead Agent and Operational Partners provide advice on the overall strategic direction, management and performance of TERN and establishment of longer-term national strategic goals. The Advisory Board receives advice from TERN’s independent Science Advisory Committee. 

TERN Science Advisory Committee

Members are outstanding leaders in their respective disciplines. The Committee provides independent advice to the Advisory Board relating to the role of national research infrastructure in meeting national and regional science priorities.

TERN Executive Group

TERN’s Director and the Platform Lead personnel specified in contracts between the University of Queensland and partner institutions, along with invited operational staff from the central office and each Platform, comprise the TERN Executive Group. This group works with the Science Advisory Committee and TERN Advisory Board to ensure the strategic intent of TERN is put into operation.