In this episode, we sit down with Professor Caroline Tiddy, Chief Scientific Officer at MinEx CRC and Associate Professor of Geosciences at Adelaide University.
From her beginnings in rural Australia to an unconventional pathway through chemistry and geology, Caroline shares how she found her niche in geochemistry, and why she initially resisted economic geology altogether. Reflecting on pivotal career moments, including a shift from purely academic research to industry-focused, applied science, she reveals what it takes to build a meaningful, impactful career in the geosciences today.
Caroline offers a candid look at the human side of resource development, highlighting the growing importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), community engagement, and social responsibility in the raw materials sector. She shares lessons from her own research into leadership pathways for women in geoscience, as well as practical insights on how to bring people along in challenging conversations without alienating them.
We also delve into the realities of academic life, including the uncertainty of fixed-term contracts, the evolving Australian university landscape, and what it means to lead through change, including the recent merger that created Adelaide University.
Finally, Caroline looks ahead to the future of raw materials, discussing the urgent need to embrace emerging technologies like AI, reduce environmental footprints, and rethink how the industry adapts in a rapidly changing world.
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