Steven Prawer
University of Melbourne
Rate Professor Steven Prawer
Always fair, encouraging, and motivating.
Makes even the toughest topics accessible.
Makes every class a rewarding experience.
Always positive, enthusiastic, and supportive.
Great Professor!
About Steven
Professor Steven Prawer is Professor of Physics in the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne. He earned his BSc (Hons) and PhD from Monash University and a DSc from the University of Melbourne. Over more than three decades, he has built a worldwide reputation in advanced diamond science and technology, with over 390 scientific publications garnering more than 27,000 citations.
His research centers on the physics of diamond and related materials, including the interaction of energetic ion beams with these materials and the fabrication of nano-scale quantum devices. Professor Prawer has pioneered diamond-based technologies for quantum information processing and sensing, such as single photon sources for quantum cryptography and room-temperature spintronic read-out. He leads one of the world's largest and best-equipped groups in quantum diamond research, with applications extending to quantum computing and bionic vision devices, including high-density electrode arrays for retinal prostheses. Key publications include 'Raman spectroscopy of diamond and doped diamond' (Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 1998) and 'Diamond for Quantum Computing' (Science, 2008).
In his career, he has held prominent positions such as Director of the Melbourne Materials Institute (2008-2014), Node Director of the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Technology (2000-2002), and Inaugural Director of the Defence Science Institute (2011). He served as scientific advisor to the National Research Council of Canada (2015-2016). Major awards include election as Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (2010), David Syme Research Prize (1994), Lady Davis Visiting Professorship, Fulbright Senior Visiting Fellowship, visiting fellowship at Wolfson College Oxford, and Royal Society of Victoria Research Medal. His contributions have elevated Australia's standing in diamond research and quantum technologies.
Professional Email: s.prawer@unimelb.edu.au