The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston, today announced the appointment of Professor Graham Durant as Director of the National Science and Technology Centre, Questacon.

Professor Durant is currently the Deputy Director of the Hunterian Museum at the University of Glasgow and was closely associated with the establishment of the Glasgow Science Centre. Graham also holds a Professorship of Science Interpretation and Communication at the University of Glasgow and is a member of the Scottish Science Advisory Committee.

His extensive experience in science and communication and his commitment to making science accessible to the wider community will undoubtedly be of great benefit to Questacon.

In 1998, Graham was the recipient of a prestigious Millennium Fellowship, which he undertook in Science Communication. He has a strong record of achievement and was responsible for the content of the highly successful Glasgow Science Centre, which opened in 2001.

Through his involvement in the Hunterian Museum and the Glasgow Science Centre, Professor Durant brings to Questacon a wealth of current international best practice. He has research interests in science communication and geology as well as extensive project and academic experience in both fields.

Professor Durant spoke of his new appointment,

' I am absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to work with the team at Questacon and to help them in their vision of maintaining and developing a world-class science centre.

The knowledge and experience gained in the Hunterian along with projects such as the Garden Festival Crystal Pavilion, the Glasgow Dome of Discovery and the Glasgow Science Centre have proven invaluable in allowing me this opportunity.

I hope that in the future there will be a chance to develop creative partnerships between Scotland and Australia'

Questacon is Australia's leading interactive science and technology centre, promoting greater understanding and awareness of science and technology within the community.

Professor Durant's appointment will be effective from 31 March 2003.

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First published: 9 January 2003