Anya Reading leads the Computational Geophysics and Earth Informatics research group at the School of Physical Sciences (Earth Sciences), University of Tasmania as a Professor in the Science, Engineering and Technology Faculty. As an undergraduate at the University of Edinburgh, UK, she studied astrophysics and took her Honours year in geophysics. Through PhD research at the University of Leeds, UK, focused on New Zealand seismology, she began a journey of discovery of the southern hemisphere continents, their tectonic origins and evolution. She held a postdoctoral research position with British Antarctic Survey and moved to Australia in 2000 to take up a research fellowship with Australian National University. In 2007, she joined the academic faculty at University of Tasmania, Hobart: Australia’s international hub for Antarctic and Southern Ocean science and logistics.
The innovative approaches to data science for the natural, physical world that Anya pushes forward are built on a foundation of experimental field seismology in challenging regions such as Antarctica and outback Australia. Her group carries out research in both fundamental, global geophysics and in applied topics with a strong element of technology transfer. Fundamental research areas include using seismic energy to form 3D images of the southern hemisphere continents. The Antarctic research areas are strongly interdisciplinary, focused on interactions between the deep Earth and changes in the major ice sheets. Applied research areas are focused on computational strategies for data-driven knowledge discovery with wide industry and environmental applications.
Anya’s wide interest areas include art-science data visualization, and public engagement with science, mathematics and the natural world. An experienced educator and student research advisor, she makes numerous service and policy development contributions to scientific research at university, state, national and international levels. She enjoys mountain/watersports, and playing/listening to music.
Anya will focus her scholarship research on advanced computation-based approaches to make best use of diverse, incomplete datasets relating to the deep 3D structure of the Antarctic Continent. This structure, often surprisingly variable, is the dynamic foundation for many interdisciplinary studies including ice sheet and sea-level changes. Results will include insights into where to target future geophysical field campaigns for optimum benefit. Anya hopes these findings will galvanize the strong US Antarctic seismology community to partner with Australia in a new chapter of discovery through practical and fruitful future collaboration.