Dr Kimberley Clayfield is Director of CSIRO’s Space Research Program, including oversight of the CSIRO Centre for Earth Observation and the AquaWatch Australia initiative, and a multi-disciplinary research program of space science and technology activities, including space object tracking, space weather, small spacecraft technologies (such as imaging sensors, power systems and materials), robotics and remote operations, in situ resource utilisation, and space life sciences.

Dr Clayfield holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons I) and PhD in mechanical engineering, a Master of Business Administration (Cum Laude) from the International Space University, and additional graduate qualifications in space science and public policy. In 2014 Kimberley became the first Australian to receive the prestigious Lawrence Sperry Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. She has also served as Chair of Engineers Australia’s National Committee on Space Engineering, and is a member of the Australian Academy of Science’s National Committee for Space Science. In 2025 she received the Australian Space Award for Female Space Leader of the Year – Enterprise.