With a background in Catchment and Environmental Management, Dr Kelly Hill has spent her career tackling some of the most pressing challenges in water research and innovation. Beginning her journey in England and later deepening her expertise with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, she ultimately made her way to South Australia—the driest state in the country—where she has spent the past 15 years driving national and international collaborations in water management. Throughout her career, Kelly has been instrumental in fostering connections between researchers, industry, and government to develop real-world solutions that benefit communities.

Her ability to respond to urgent industry needs has led to some of her proudest achievements. From leading water quality research following the devastating 2019 bushfires to spearheading Australia’s wastewater-based epidemiology program for SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kelly has played a key role in shaping research programs that deliver immediate and lasting impact. She thrives on building strong networks that bring together researchers, industry leaders, and government bodies to address critical challenges.

Now as Research Program Manager at SAAFE, Kelly is eager to apply her expertise in industry-led and co-designed research. She is a great advocate for the power of collaboration and the altruistic nature of the water industry, recognising immense potential in cross-sectoral collaboration, particularly at the catchment scale—where industries that may not traditionally work together can find shared solutions to common challenges and opportunities. By facilitating knowledge exchange between water, food, agriculture, and health sectors, she aims to drive research that not only addresses AMR but also benefits broader environmental and public health outcomes.

Her interest in AMR was sparked nearly a decade ago when she attended a water industry workshop and recognised the growing concern around antimicrobials in wastewater and the environment. Over the years, her involvement deepened as she supported industry partnerships in the SAAFE CRC bid. She is particularly passionate about the cross-sectoral approach to tackling AMR, recognising that the transfer of resistance genes between humans, animals, plants, and the environment makes this a truly global challenge.

Outside of work, Kelly loves exploring the vast landscapes of Australia and embracing her new home as a citizen. A fan of the "old-fashioned way," she enjoys flipping through physical books, browsing restaurant menus in print, and listening to music on vinyl. Whether she’s out discovering new corners of the country or championing collaborative research, Kelly brings a deep curiosity and drive to everything she does.