Professor Maurice Pagnucco is an internationally renowned computer scientist, widely recognised for his fundamental contributions to artificial intelligence (AI), especially in knowledge representation and reasoning. His research spans a broad range of AI methodologies, including hybrid approaches that integrate symbolic and non-symbolic AI, cognitive robotics, and AI ethics.

Professor Pagnucco is a prominent ICT leader with sustained impact across academia, school education, government, industry and professional organisations. He has provided unifying leadership through senior roles in major national organisations, including the NICTA/Data61 University Planning Committee, the Australian Council of Deans of ICT, the ARC College of Experts, and the Computing Research and Education Association of Australasia, among others. With extensive experience in leading strategic ICT initiatives, cultivating effective industry and government networks, and enhancing tertiary education through pioneering initiatives in experiential learning and career development, he has played a pivotal role in shaping ICT in Australia. 

Professor Pagnucco is a significant ICT sector leader with long-term impact particularly through senior roles in national organisations such as the NICTA University Planning Committee, the Australian Council of Deans of ICT (ACDICT), Computing Research and Education Association of Australasia (CORE), the ARC College of Experts and the Australian Computer Society Technical Committee for Artificial Intelligence Ethics. With his extensive experience in (I) leading strategic ICT and cyber security initiatives, (ii) building and leveraging effective industry/government networks, and (iii) tertiary leadership, he’ll be a most valuable addition to the Fellowship. Pagnucco is an internationally leading authority in the field of Cognitive Robotics and AI, particularly in the areas of Knowledge Representation & Reasoning, Belief Change, and Reasoning about Action. One of his greatest contributions to AI concerns abductive reasoning (a form of explanation) and its role in belief change; recognised as one of the pioneering developments in this area.