Yazar: John Humphreys

John Humphreys” life experiences have inexorably led him to the writing of this book, which blends together his career in science, technology and innovation, his personal spiritual journey; his interest in research and his love of literature. It also reconciles his earlier, more conservative, religious teachings with more contemporary understandings of traditional teachings. John is in an unenviable position to attempt this challenging treatise, having assumed leadership positions most of his life. Early examples include President of (i) a local Presbyterian Fellowship Association;(ii) a combined churches cricket club; (iii) the Australian Cricket Society (Qld) and (iv) Captain of two cricket teams.His interest in radio-astronomy and the cosmos was stimulated by his Chairing, over 8 years, of the Australasian Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Industry Consortium, which supported the Australian Government in the international development of the next generation of radio-astronomy systems. This was a high-level group comprising over 20 multinationals, Federal and State Governments, as well as the national research community. International activities encompassed in this role included:•Australian representative of the Engineering Organising Committee for the International SKA Forum 2011 (Banff, Canada)•Member of the COST (European Union) Steering Committee to evaluate non-science benefits from the SKA•Australian representative to develop bilateral industry relationships under an Australian-Italy (government) MOU relating to SKAHe was also involved in the Chairing of an Intelligent Transport Systems group involving government, industry and universities and, through his former company, Global Innovation Centre, conducting a range of leading edge studies in areas such as driverless vehicles, photonics and leading-edge communications. The company was a knowledge-based organization focused on the development of emerging industries and operated successfully for 25 years.During his performance of the above inter-disciplinary and multi-dimensional roles, he gained an in- depth understanding of a broad range of strategic issues impacting on Australia”s innovative capacity. John”s career was characterized by the bringing together of a wide range of public and private sector organizations in collaborative ventures.His emphasis on “we are all one” regardless of nationality or ideology, which is one of the book”s themes, is drawn from the above life experiences, as is the need to continue to question traditional “immutable” truths.