Australian of the Year

Dr Kirsten Banks is a proud Wiradjuri woman whose ground-breaking work as an astrophysicist and science communicator is blending Indigenous knowledge with the latest space research. 

Known online as AstroKirsten, Kirsten has built a significant global audience for her videos about cosmic phenomena, helping to communicate the latest scientific discoveries in an engaging, accessible manner. She has a special focus on Aboriginal astronomy and what it can teach us about First Nations knowledge of space. 

Kirsten has a PhD in astrophysics and lectures at Swinburne University of Technology, teaching and mentoring the next generation of physicists. She is a popular public speaker, guide and media presenter, as well as a published author. 

Through her research, online presence and public speaking engagements, Kirsten is building bridges between traditional knowledge and modern space exploration, attracting a whole new audience to learn about the wonders of the universe.