
Professor Gangadhara Prusty
- Doctor of Philosophy (Structures), Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India, 2003
- Graduate Certificate in University Learning & Teaching, UNSW Australia, 2008
- Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors, 2024
Scientia Professor Gangadhara Prusty is a globally recognised authority in composite mechanics, with expertise spanning nano-, micro-, and macro-scale systems. His interdisciplinary research integrates the mechanics of advanced materials with state-of-the-art manufacturing automation, delivering pioneering innovations in structural composites and biomechanics applications.
As the Founding Director of the ARC Training Centre for Automated Manufacture of Advanced Composites (AMAC), Professor Prusty led one of Australia’s most influential programs in composites automation. Building on AMAC’s national success, he played a foundational role in conceiving and securing the Sovereign Manufacturing Automation of Composites CRC (SoMAC CRC), now known as the Australian Composites Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (ACM CRC). As the architect of the original vision and leader of the successful bid, he helped shape this $250 million Commonwealth-funded initiative (2022–2033), designed to transform Australia's composites industry through manufacturing automation and collaboration with more than 30 partner organisations. During his secondment from UNSW (2022-2025), he served as Director of Research and Executive Director on the Board, where he established the centre’s strategic and technical foundation.
Over the course of his distinguished career, Professor Prusty has secured more than 100 competitive research grants, authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications, and supervised more than 35 Higher Degree Research candidates. His innovations include patented dental composites and numerous invention disclosures across the domains of materials science and manufacturing.
A passionate educator, Professor Prusty has developed award-winning teaching innovations, including adaptive e-learning tools and the world’s first adaptive MOOC in Engineering Mechanics. His contributions to education have earned national recognition, including an Australian Award for University Teaching.
He is a Fellow of Engineers Australia, a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Professor Prusty continues to influence global research, policy, and industrial practice through his leadership in composite materials and engineering education.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Director of Research, Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC (ACM CRC) (2022-
- Director, ARC Training Centre for Automated Manufacture of Advanced Composites (AMAC) (2016-
- Deputy Director, Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT@UNSW) (2008-2019)
- Visiting Professor, University of Liege, Belgium (2010)
- Professor (since 2014); Associate Professor (2011-2013); Senior Lecturer (2007-2010); Lecturer (2005-2007), UNSW Australia
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Automated Tape/Fibre Placement (ATP/AFP) of advanced composites- Online monitoring and processing
- Nano, Micro and Macro- Mechanics and Failure analyses of fibre reinforced composite structures
- Linear and non-linear finite element analysis of stiffened structures
- Functionally graded materials
- Fracture mechanics of nano-modified fibre reinforced composite structures
- Engineering Mechanics
- Mechanics of Solids
- Composites: Materials, Mechanics and Manufacturing
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Fellow, Institution of Engineers Australia (IEAust)
- Fellow, Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA)
- Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)
ROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
- UNSW Host, World Engineering Day-2022
- Co-host, 9th Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics (ACAM9), 27-29th Nov 2017.
- Member of Experts, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), Australian Government.
- Research Leader, Advanced Structures and Materials research group of MECHENG
- Organising and Technical Committee member for International Maritime Conference (IMC), Australasian Congress of Applied Mechanics (ACAM) & Sixth International Composites Conference (ACUN6)
- Publications
- Media
- Grants
- Awards
- Research Activities
- Engagement
- Teaching and Supervision
- G Prusty et al.; (2010-2015): AU $280 k: Systems for Crashworhiness, Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures (CRC-ACS)
- G Prusty et al; (2013-2015): AU $250 k: The Virtual Design Workshop: An on-line adaptive resource for engineering and architecture, Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT), Australian Government.
- G Prusty et al.; (2014): AU$1. 2 Mil: An Australasian facility for the automated fabrication of high performance bespoke components, Australian Research Council (ARC)- LIEF
- G Prusty with V. Sahajwalla et al.; (2014-2018): AU $4.1 Mil (ARC: $2.2 Mil + Partners: $1.9 Mil): ARC Research Hub for transforming waste directly in cost-effective green manufacturing, Australian Research Council (ARC)- Industrial Transformation Research Hubs scheme
- G Prusty with G Pearce et al.; (2016-2019): AU $0.5Mil (ARC: $330 k + Partners: $180 k): Onset Theory: Pushing the design envelope for textile composite structures, Australian Research Council (ARC)- Linkage Projects
- G Prusty et al.; (2016-2019): AU $0.65 Mil (ARC: $360 k + Partners: $270 k): Flowable composite system with short S-glass fibre and halloysite nanotubes, Australian Research Council (ARC)- Linkage Projects
- G Prusty et al.; (2017-2022): AU $6.5 Mil (ARC: $3.8 M + Partners: $2.7 M ): ARC Centre for Automated Manufacture of Advanced Composites(AMAC), Australian Research Council (ARC)- Industrial Transformation Training Hub
- G Prusty with P Compston et al. (2018): AU $1.2 Mil: Laser-based Automated Fibre Placement facility; Australian Research Council (ARC)- LIEF
- G Prusty with S Li et al.; (2018-2025): AU $6.5 Mil: UNSW Materials & Manufacturing Futures Institute
- G Prusty et al.; (2019-2022): AU $8.5 Mil (Aus Industry: $3M + Partners: 5.5M): CRC-P with SDI Ltd. on Dental Composites; Australian Govt.
- G Prusty (2020-2023): AU 0.8 Mil: Durability of Composite Propellers; DSTG funding
- G Prusty et al.; (2022-2032): AU $250 Mil (Commonwealth: $70M + Partners: $180M): Sovereign Manufacturing Automation for Composites CRC (SoMAC CRC); Australian Govt.
AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
- 2023- Cooperative Research Australia Awards for Excellence in Innovation: Enduring Industry-Research Collaboration
- 2023- IBACA Australia India Science, Research and Development Award (Finalist)
- 2019- JEC Asia 2019 Innovation Award for “Shape Adaptive Hydrofoil with Fiber-Optic Sensing”
- 2016- Best paper award, Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE 2016)
- 2012- Australian Awards for University Teaching- Award for Teaching Excellence
- 2012- Australian Council of Engineering Dean's National Award for Engineering Education Excellence
- 2012- UNSW Faculty of Engineering Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence
- 2010- UNSW Vice-Chancellor Award for Teaching Excellence
- 2010- Lecturer of the Year, MECHSOC, UNSW
- 2010- ALTC Citation Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning: “For innovative teaching and assessment of mechanics courses in engineering, which encourage and motivate students to learn threshold concepts effectively”.
- 2004- Australian Maritime College (AMC@UTAS) Council Award for High Achievement in Scholarship (Research).