Keynote Speakers

DR ANDREA HINWOOD

Chief Scientist | United Nations Environment Programme

Dr Andrea Hinwood is Chief Scientist and Director of the Office of Science at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). With an academic background in environmental exposures and human health, her career has focused on providing strategic advice to governments on a wide range of environmental issues, including air pollution.

KEYNOTE SUBJECT: 21st Century Air Quality: Global Progress and Challenges

DR ROSEMARY BARNES

Founder and Director | Pardalote Consulting

Rosemary Barnes has a PhD in mechanical engineering with nearly 20 years’ experience in renewable and clean energy. She is the founder and director of Pardalote Consulting, working with diverse stakeholders to better understand and apply clean energy technologies.

Rosemary also runs the YouTube channel Engineering with Rosie, where she breaks down complex energy topics for a broad audience, and is a sought-after speaker on the energy transition.

KEYNOTE SUBJECT: AI and the Atmosphere: Powering Progress Without Polluting the Future

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being framed as a climate problem, with concerns about rising energy use, water consumption, and the footprint of data centres. At the same time, it is rapidly reshaping how we understand, manage, and protect the environment, from forecasting bushfires and air quality to optimising increasingly complex energy systems.

This keynote explores both sides of that equation. It examines how AI is already contributing to cleaner, more efficient systems, while also addressing the growing concerns about its environmental footprint. Drawing on real-world examples and emerging industry practices, the session will consider whether AI represents a net benefit or burden for clean air goals, and what needs to change to ensure it supports, rather than undermines, the energy transition.

DR VERA SAMBUROVA

Associate Research Professor | Desert Research Institute

Dr Vera Samburova is an Associate Research Professor at the Desert Research Institute (Nevada, USA), specialising in atmospheric organic chemistry and air pollution from combustion sources. Her research focuses on emissions from wildfires, vehicles, cannabis cultivation facilities, and e-cigarettes, with particular expertise in wildfire smoke and post-fire dust impacts on human and environmental health. Dr Samburova has led numerous laboratory combustion studies and field sampling campaigns, including recent work following major California megafires and wildland–urban interface fires.

KEYNOTE SUBJECT: Breathing Through Fire: Air Quality Challenges in a Warming World

Megafires have increased in frequency and intensity globally over recent decades, driven by climate change, prolonged drought, and changing land management practices. Beyond the immediate destruction of landscapes and ecosystems, wildfire emissions significantly impact air quality and human health, both locally and across regions thousands of kilometres away.

This presentation explores the growing air quality challenges associated with megafires, including exposure to hazardous pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and post-fire dust. It will highlight the importance of accurately characterising wildfire emissions to better understand their environmental and health impacts and support future air quality management strategies.

JUDGE DEAN P. MORZONE KC

Planning and Environment Court of Queensland

Judge Dean Morzone KC has served on the District Court of Queensland in Cairns since 2014, with additional commissions in the Planning and Environment Court and the Childrens Court.

Prior to his appointment, he practised as a barrister for 20 years, specialising in commercial litigation, construction, planning law, and dispute resolution. He holds a Bachelor and Master of Laws, with a focus on advanced planning. Judge Morzone is also active in legal education and advocacy training, and has a strong interest in the ethical use of AI in legal practice.

KEYNOTE SUBJECT: AI: An Expert’s Master or Servant in the 21st Century? The Ethical and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence by Expert Witnesses

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how expert witnesses work in the 21st Century from dispersion modelling and literature research to report drafting. For odour and air quality professionals, this

brings both opportunity and significant legal risk. Drawing on the Expert Witness Code of Conduct and Court Rules, this presentation examines five critical considerations for AI use in expert practice.

The expert’s overriding duty to the court remains unchanged. The question is not whether experts will use AI but how they use it ethically and responsibly in a court setting.

PRESIDENT STILGOE

President | Land Court of Queensland

President Stilgoe was appointed as President of the Land Court of Queensland in May 2024 after joining as a judicial Member

in 2017 and serving as Acting President since May 2023.

Before joining the Land Court, she was the first ADR Registrar to the Planning and Environment Court of Queensland in 2007 to 2009. President Stilgoe introduced court facilitated mediation to that jurisdiction.

In 2009 she was appointed as a Member of the newly established Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and subsequently, as a Senior Member in 2012.

President Stilgoe was pivotal in introducing innovative and effective ADR processes during her time with both Tribunals. Her contributions to ADR were recognised in 2013 when she was awarded an OAM.