Professor Kate Smith-Miles receives Order of Australia in King’s Birthday Honours

Congratulations to Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Capability) Professor Kate Smith-Miles, who was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (General Division) in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours.

A Laureate Professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics, Professor Smith-Miles (pictured) was honoured for her distinguished service to tertiary education, to applied mathematical research, and as a role model and advocate for women in STEM.

Professor Smith-Miles has dedicated her career to demonstrating the power of mathematics to help understand complex problems such as early detection of epidemics, reducing carbon emissions from manufacturing, and testing the accuracy of algorithms.

“Like most researchers, my natural curiosity is usually enough motivation to start thinking about a new problem, particularly if I can see how its solution could have a transformative impact in society,” Professor Smith-Miles said.

“This honour tells me that my passion to present evidence and communicate the power of mathematics to advance our society is shared by others, and I feel encouraged to continue my advocacy.”

Professor Smith-Miles, who is also Director of the ARC Training Centre in Optimisation Technologies, Integrated Methodologies and Applications (OPTIMA), said despite popular perceptions, mathematics was a highly collaborative calling.

“I love collaborating with others to understand their problem and see how a mathematical lens can create new pathways to a solution,” she said.

“Despite how mathematics is usually portrayed in movies, it is not an isolated activity. I am grateful to all my collaborators, students and industry partners who have worked with me to explore many fascinating problems and novel solutions.”

University of Melbourne Dean of Science, Professor Moira O’Bryan, congratulated Professor Smith-Miles and faculty alumni for their contributions to making Australia a better country.

“Through such diverse areas such as applied mathematics and supporting women in STEM, medical and environmental research, educating our young people, community service and emergency and fire services, each person has made their own significant and individual mark on Australia. Each person has made this country a better and more equitable place,” Professor O’Bryan said.