Academic Board
The Academic Board brings together leading academics and professionals with extensive experience in both higher education and industry. With backgrounds spanning the private sector, government, and membership in the Australian Computer Society, the Board ensures the academic integrity and relevance of the Central Institute’s courses, aligning them with industry standards and future workforce needs.
Dr Vilma Galstaun
Independent Member and Chair of the Academic Board
Dr Vilma Galstaun is the Chair of the Academic Board and an ex officio member of the Board of Directors. Vilma is a seasoned educator with over 30 years of experience in leadership roles within the education sector.
As an academic in technology education at the University of Sydney, she was renowned for her contributions to teaching, curriculum development, and professional engagement. She significantly reformed technology units to equip preservice teachers with essential digital and data literacy skills, embedding these competencies across curricula, pedagogies, and assessments.
A key player in redesigning professional experience coursework, Dr. Galstaun advanced the integration of the Assessment for Graduate Teachers (AfGT) to align with national teaching standards, preparing teachers for effective transitions to classroom practice.
Her research spans educational technology, curriculum design and re-design, data literacy, and STEM education. She actively supports ongoing professional development for educators through roles with the STEM Teacher Enrichment Academy and multiple professional associations, impacting educators in diverse settings, including rural and international schools.
Professor Tim Miller
Independent Member, Academic
Tim Miller is a Professor of Artificial Intelligence in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Queensland, Australia. His research focuses on the use of machine learning for decision support, with a particular focus on the human-centered challenges of helping people make better decisions.
He has worked on areas including explainable AI, human-AI mixed-initiative planning, and human-centred decision support. His teaching expertise is in the areas of artificial intelligence, particularly machine learning and reinforcement learning, and technology innovation.
Prior to his appointment at the University of Queensland in 2023, he was a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Melbourne, where he was founding co-director of The Centre for AI and Digital Ethics.
Beau Tydd
Independent Member, Industry
A seasoned leader in the corporate world, Beau has over 25 years of experience directing companies, Chairing Boards, and leading as a chief executive and chief information officer. His expertise lies in corporate advisory, strategic planning, fostering innovation, and scaling up businesses, with a diverse background spanning emerging technology, cybersecurity, smart cities, aviation, international development, and research.
Beau is an Adjunct Industry Fellow at Griffith University’s Business Strategy and Innovation Department, an Industry Professor at Deakin University, an Adjunct Professor at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and an Adjunct Professor at Southern Cross University. He chairs the QUT Science and Engineering Faculty Information Technology Industry Advisory Group and contributes his expertise to the Healthcare Innovations Advisory Board (Bond University), the Central Queensland University (CQU) ICT Course Reference Committee, and the Southern Cross University IT Industry Advisory Group.
With a passion for community service, he also chaired the Queensland ACS Branch Executive Committee for three years and was appointed to the ACS National Management Committee and was the inaugural Chair for the Oxfam Australia Philanthropy Advisory Board.
Beau holds an MBA (Computing) and a Bachelor of Information Technology and is a certified professional and Fellow of the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
Chris Mace
Independent Member, Industry
Chris is a highly experienced Technology, Cyber Security, and Business Operations Executive, as well as a member of the Academic Board, with a proven track record across the Manufacturing, Not-for-Profit, Higher Education, and Government sectors.
He holds a Bachelor of Internet Communications and IT from Curtin University, alongside a suite of professional industry certifications, including ITIL, PRINCE2, PMP, PROSCI, and CompTIA. Chris is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
As a recognised thought leader in cyber security and cloud technology, Chris has earned multiple accolades, including being named among the Top 30 Chief Information Security Officers by CIO/CSO Australia in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Additionally, he was a Top 3 Finalist for the Australian Cyber Security Awards – Government Cyber Security Professional in 2023.
Emeritus Professor Robin Braun
Member, ex-officio
Emeritus Professor Braun is the Dean of the Central Institute, an ex-officio member of the Academic Board, and the Chair of the Course Development Committee. He is a Professor of Telecommunications Engineering with over 35 years of academic experience.
He has created and taught numerous undergraduate engineering courses and supervised more than 50 PhD research candidates to completion. A prolific researcher with over 300 publications, Robin’s contributions to telecommunications networks, wireless sensor networks, and software-defined networking (SDN) have significantly advanced the field.
His work on energy-efficient routing strategies and the development of cognitive controllers for SDN has been particularly influential, driving innovation in network management and complex systems.
He has chaired numerous international conferences and held leadership roles at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), including Director of the Institute for Information and Communications Technology. Robin continues to serve on key committees, co-chair major conferences, and contribute to advancing engineering education. His contributions have left a lasting impact on both the academic community and industry advancements in telecommunications.
Adam Jones
Member, ex-officio
Adam Jones is the Director of Learning and Teaching and Chair of the Learning and Teaching Committee. With over 25 years of experience in academic management, teaching, and student support, Adam is dedicated to enhancing learning experiences, particularly for international students.
His expertise in education, combined with a passion for innovation in teaching and e-learning, has made a significant impact across both the ELICOS and Higher Education sectors.
As a former Director of Studies at Langports English College, Adam has been widely recognised for his ability to build strong relationships with students, staff, agents, and industry partners.
Committed to continuous growth and innovation, Adam holds a Graduate Diploma in Business from the Australian Institute of Business and will commence a Master’s (Research) at the University of Sydney in 2025. His leadership ensures that learning and teaching at the Central Institute remain dynamic, inclusive, and at the forefront of educational excellence.
