About Us
Helping Australia seize the extraordinary economic opportunities of the post-carbon world
Founded in 2023 by renowned economist Ross Garnaut and public policy expert Rod Sims, The Superpower Institute is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping Australia seize the extraordinary economic opportunities of the post-carbon world.
Our focus is on developing the regulatory frameworks, market incentives and practical knowledge necessary for Australia to become a major exporter of renewable energy and green industrial products. By leveraging the nation’s comparative advantage, we aim to elevate Australia’s economic and climate ambition and secure our place as a leader in a decarbonised global economy.
How we work
Do the research
We conduct rigorous research and analysis to uncover the economic and climate benefits of green iron and other energy-intensive export commodities. By demonstrating Australia’s comparative advantage, we influence both policy and industry, ensuring that Australia capitalises on the global transition to a zero-carbon economy.
Change the narrative
Our goal is to shift the conversation around Australia’s future economic opportunities. We promote a positive narrative around Australia's economic growth and climate goals, with focus on the economic opportunities of green exports. Through media, publications, and public engagements, we aim to build broad community support for the Australian green export superpower.
Change policy
We promote policy initiatives that support Australia’s superpower opportunity. By engaging with decision-makers and experts, we influence policy that recognises the cost of carbon emissions and the benefits of innovation in zero-carbon industries. Our policy work is grounded in principles of economic efficiency and long term prosperity, including real wage growth and towards full employment.
Create outcomes
Our efforts culminate in environments that attract investments and mobilise private capital towards net-zero goals. By working closely with investors and trade delegations, we aim to bring important projects to life, ensuring that Australia’s green energy export future becomes a reality.
Funding and independence
The Superpower Institute is a non-profit, independent think tank. Our work is supported by philanthropic foundations and individuals who share a commitment to rigorous analysis and evidence-based policy on climate and economic policy.
All donations are accepted on the basis that The Superpower Institute maintains full editorial and analytical independence. Funders have no role in determining research methods, findings, conclusions, or policy recommendations.
Board
Ross Garnaut
Director
Ross Garnaut AC is a renowned economist specialising in development, economic policy and international relations. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Melbourne and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Sciences. His contributions to trade policy and climate change have made him a trusted adviser to successive Australian governments.
Rod Sims
Chair, The Superpower Institute
Rod Sims is Enterprise Professor at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Melbourne, and Chair of The Superpower Institute. He previously chaired the ACCC (2011-2022), served as Deputy Secretary (Economic) in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Principal Economic Adviser to PM Bob Hawke (1988-1990).
Susannah Powell
Director / General Manager
Susannah Powell has experience in energy technology and policy. She co-ordinated research at Melbourne Energy Institute and worked on industrial decarbonisation projects at ZEN Energy. She has an MBA from Melbourne Business School.
Simon Holmes à Court
Director
Simon Holmes à Court is an Australian businessman, energy analyst, and clean tech investor. He is Director of the Smart Energy Council, the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network and founder of Climate 200.
Mike Sandiford
Director
Professor Mike Sandiford is a geologist focussed on Australia’s resource endowment for a net-zero transition. He chaired Geology at The University of Melbourne (2000-2020) and is now a Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
Team
Baethan Mullen
Chief Executive Officer
Baethan Mullen has over 20 years of experience in public policy, economics and advocacy. Prior to joining the Superpower Institute, Baethan was General Manager of Economics & International at the ACCC, and led the largest energy efficiency program in Australia as Executive Director at the Essential Services Commission.
Peter Rayner
Chief Scientist
Professor Peter Rayner specialises in estimating CO2 sources and sinks using satellite and in-situ data, with a focus on the tropics and Southern Hemisphere. Awarded the Priestley Medal in 2002, he has worked with NCAR, Princeton University, CSIRO, Monash University, and the Laboratory for Climate Science in France. He currently leads methane emissions model development for Open Methane.
Ingrid Burfurd
Economic Research Director
Dr Ingrid Burfurd is an economist who has worked on public policy in the Victorian public service and academia. Before joining TSI she was a Senior Associate at the Grattan Institute.
Reuben Finighan
Research Lead, Economic Pathways
Reuben holds a PhD in Political Economy from the London School of Economics and a Masters of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, as a Fulbright, Frank Knox, John Monash, and Leverhulme scholar. He has co-authored papers with Harvard Professor Robert Putnam, Ross Garnaut AC, and Lord Nicholas Stern, and previously worked at the University of Melbourne in applied economics and as Chief Economist for the Universal Commons.
Jessica Shaw
WA Program Director
Jessica Shaw is a former WA Parliamentarian (2017–2025) and Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier. She holds degrees in law, politics and international relations, a Master of Law from Cambridge, and has studied energy and climate policy at Harvard. She is a Fellow and Honorary Life Member of the Australian Institute of Energy. Jessica is also a Director of Tactica Advisory.
Lauren Burns
Program Director, Green Carbon Industries
Dr Lauren Burns has 12 years of experience in aircraft technology and product development, focusing on decarbonising aviation.
Ben Scott
Economist
Ben Scott completed post-graduated studies in econometrics before joining TSI. Ben has gained policy experience in various capacities at government, international, and think-tank organisations.
Isabelle Grant
Land Carbon Lead
Isabelle Grant is an experienced environmental professional in the fields of carbon accounting, environmental policy, and the bioeconomy. Isabelle has worked with Professor Ross Garnaut on land carbon since 2019 and prior to that completed her Masters thesis at Imperial College London in Environmental Technology.
Joanna Kay
Program Director, International Strategy, Partnerships and Engagement
Joanna Kay has 18+ years of experience across public and private sectors in Australia, China, and India, specialising in energy policy, clean trade, and international collaboration. She was recently named one of The Australian’s Top 100 Energy Players on The Green List.
Chris McMahen
Technical Lead for Green Iron
Chris McMahen is an iron ore industry executive with extensive experience in green iron and steel technology development and marketing. Most recently GM of Technical Marketing at FMG and Director of Marketing at BSL.
Sam Burt
Policy Lead
Sam Burt is a public policy professional and economist, with policy experience which spans the building blocks of the Superpower Economy. Working in several roles across the Commonwealth Treasury and DCCEEW, he contributed to the Future Made in Australia package, the Energy Price Relief plan and the Cleaner Fuels Program. Sam holds an honours degree in economics from the University of Adelaide.
Yael Jacoby
Policy Lead
Yael Jacoby is an economist with experience in policy and research. Before joining The Superpower Institute, she worked in the Australian Public Service as an electricity modeller providing strategic advice on the energy transition. She holds a Master of Economics from the University of Melbourne.
Catherine Turnbull
WA Research and Engagement Lead
Catherine Turnbull is a renewable energy and carbon professional with +15 years' experience in her early career as an exploration geologist in Australia and Africa. Most recently she was Senior Advisor with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA providing policy analysis and advocacy on sustainability issues affecting the minerals sector.
Angela Bruckner
Research and Business Administration Manager
Angela Bruckner is a Chartered Accountant and project manager with over 15 years' experience in consulting, government, and academia.
Alison Hill
Executive Assistant
Alison Hill is a former solicitor (UK) who now specialises in executive and secretariat support. With her background in law and administration she brings a wealth of experience in advocacy, litigation, professionalism and governance to the role.
Lindsay Gaines
Principal Software Engineer
Lindsay Gaines is a software engineer and web technology expert. He is a regular tech conference speaker and a former director of one of Melbourne's leading digital agencies.
Scott Fairbanks
Design Director
Scott Fairbanks is a highly experienced strategic designer working in the environmental and impact space. He has collaborated with global brands and not-for-profits on award-winning digital products, services and climate communications that blend art, design and science.
Adam Grant
Communications Director
Adam Grant is an experienced creative professional with over a decade of expertise in digital innovation, creative direction and campaign strategy. His award-winning work spans global brands and NGOs, with a focus on impactful storytelling and driving positive social change.
Collaborators
Dylan McConnell
ARC Early Career Industry Fellow, UNSW Sydney
Dr Dylan McConnell is an Energy Systems Researcher at UNSW Sydney and the recipient of an ARC Early Career Industry Fellowship in collaboration with TSI. This project will focus on developing open energy system modelling to drive rapid decarbonisation and realisation of the superpower opportunity.
Steven Tan
Front-end Developer
Steven Tan is the front-end developer for Open Electricity (formerly OpenNEM).
Max van Someren
Australian Director, Bivios
Max is a renewable energy techno-economics expert, an engineer and the Australian Director for Bivios. He has led the development of the dynamic model of green iron production featured in TSI’s green iron report.
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