Dr Mike Shackleton CPEng FIEAust is currently Chief Research Officer at NTRO. He holds a PhD in the field of research governance from Monash University. Dr Shackleton joined the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's Division for Roads and Transport Technology (Transportek) upon completion of his National Service in the Engineering Corps. A stint at VKE Consulting Engineers followed, after which he emigrated to Australia, joining ARRB (as it was then) in 2002 and where he has worked in a range of roles from Senior Pavements Engineer to Chief Research Officer.
As Chief Research Officer, he has three key responsibilities:
- Leadership and stewardship over NTRO's internally funded R&D investments, including development of future research leaders
- Ensuring that NTRO has the motivated and engaged workforce it needs to tackle both present and foreseen technical challenges
- Ensuring that NTRO's National Transport Research Information Service (NTRIS) continues to provide rigorously curated and reliable information to the industry
His original technical specialisation is in pavements and asset management, later complemented with strategic network planning. In these roles, he has developed a particular passion for the importance of mobility for rural and remote communities, and the importance of their having access to reliable, affordable transport infrastructure. Related to that is his keen interest in understanding how transport systems currently perform, and what will be required of them in the future.
He also has an abiding interest in facilitating the development of younger staff into the leaders and deep-thinking problem solvers of tomorrow. When armed with the ability to execute relevant, implementable R&D, these leaders will continue to improve the lives of all, every day.
He is also passionate about the governance and management of research and development (R&D) investments and activities in the land transport area in order to maximise the community benefit.