Dr Ilana Feain is Head of Research at the Tech Council of Australia, where she leads the organisation’s national research agenda, shaping the evidence base that informs policy, industry strategy and the future of Australia’s technology sector. Her work spans workforce, productivity, AI adoption and the economic contribution of tech, supporting government and industry leaders to make informed, data-driven decisions.

Ilana brings a uniquely multidisciplinary background across science, commercialisation and deep technology. She began her career as an astrophysicist, completing a PhD in radio astronomy before working with CSIRO on major national science infrastructure projects, including the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder.

Across her career, Ilana has worked at the intersection of research, industry and entrepreneurship - translating complex science into real-world impact. She is driven by a passion for enabling research and development in the physical sciences and for collaborating with leaders who are pushing the boundaries of innovation.