As Executive Director, Research Business Development and Commercialisation Amy Hunter leads the development of impactful research and innovation for Deakin University with industry, government and community partners. Amy also plays a major role in developing Deakin’s relationship with many key external stakeholders.

Amy has over 20 years’ experience in intellectual property, working in universities, government and private practice. Amy joined Deakin in the role Director of Intellectual Property and Commercialisation at the beginning of 2023. She stepped into the Executive Director position at the end of 2023, including heading up the Recycling and Clean Energy Commercialisation Hub.

As a registered patent and trademark attorney, Amy advised Australian and multi-national companies on their patent and trademark strategies, prosecuting applications in Australian and New Zealand directly, and utilising the Patent Cooperation Treaty. In government, Amy worked closely with research organisations to provide intelligence to identify opportunities and research partnerships and inform commericalisation and licensing decisions. Amy contributed analysis to other government departments for determining policy and strategy.

Most recently, Amy has held leadership roles within universities in research strategy, growth and translation; building relationships and integrating research activities to create positive impact. At Deakin, Amy leads the team in managing the university’s partnerships and intellectual property to maximise the prospects for societal, environmental and economic impact.

Amy holds Bachelors degrees in Mechatronics Engineering and Computer Science, an Executive Masters in Business Administration, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys.