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Dr. Jo Hawkins
Head of Research Translation and COO
International Centre of Radio Astronomy
Jo is a deep tech enthusiast with a passion for translating innovative ideas into real-world solutions. She has 20+ years of experience in strategy, innovation and business development in global companies. Jo is currently the Head of Research Translation and Chief Operating Officer at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR).
Jo has extensive experience developing deep science and technology from IP to startup and commercialisation as an advisor, strategist, and ecosystem builder. She is skilled at connecting stakeholders from different backgrounds, speaking the language of startups, industry, universities, and government – and helping them understand each other's perspectives.
Jo is also a non-executive Director of Startup WA, a non-profit entity that advances the startup industry in Western Australia through representation, advocacy, and public policy. In 2021, she was recognised as one of Western Australia’s 40 under 40 business leaders.
Speaking at
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3:00–4:15pmTue 24 MarPublic-Private RoundtablesUniClub - Roundtable Room 2OpenModerator
Securing the Future
[Roundtable] Where’s the Real Value? Investing Beyond Hype in the Next Economy (Quantum, AI, Tokenization, Green Infrastructure)
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Alvinder SinghHead, Innovation Acceleration OfficeMonetary Authority of Singapore
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Drew BradfordChief Executive OfficerMacropod
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Josh PhillipsChief Executive Officer and Co-founderClearAI
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Laksh GangwaniChief Growth OfficerViewTrade
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Lisa SchroederAssociate Managing DirectorQAI Ventures
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Sebastien PicardFounder & Chief Executive Officerxcube.co
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Tetiana GeorgeCo-Chair / CEOInsurtech Australia / Curium
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Dr. Jo HawkinsHead of Research Translation and COOInternational Centre of Radio AstronomyModerator
About this session
The “next economy” is already here (but not evenly distributed) with AI in everyday services, new digital markets through tokenisation, quantum-driven security upgrades, and green infrastructure powering modern compute. But not all growth stories are sustainable, and bubbles do happen (is AI due for a reset? Is Quantum finally ready?). That leaves a simple question for everyone—from mums and dads, VCs and family offices to Australia’s super funds:
What does this mean for savings, wealth, retirement and the kind of economy we’re building?
This roundtable brings together investors, technologists and researchers, regulators and practitioners to separate durable value from hype, and to define what high-return, responsible investing looks like under real uncertainty.
We also ask the hard questions: if some jobs disappear or shift, how do large funds still deliver for members and the broader economy—not just short-term winners? -
