Monica Oliphant
{{Short description|British-Australian academic and physicist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox scientist
| name = Monica Oliphant
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|AO}}
| image = Monica Oliphant.jpg
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| caption = Monica Oliphant speaking at an awards ceremony in 2016
| birth_name = Monica Viviene Kammer
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1940|8|4}}
| birth_place = Ilford, Essex, England, United Kingdom
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| citizenship = Australian
| nationality = British
| fields = Physics
| workplaces = University of South Australia
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| alma_mater = University of London
University of Adelaide
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| spouse = Michael Oliphant
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Monica Viviene Oliphant {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AO}} ({{nee|Kammer}};[https://physsci.adelaide.edu.au/about/physics/history/bragg-centenary.pdf Bragg Centenary: Some reflections on Physics at the University of Adelaide], University of Adelaide, 1986. born 4 August 1940 in Ilford)Who's Who of Australian Women 2016, ConnectWeb. is a British–Australian research scientist, specialising in solar energy.
Career
Oliphant began her scientific career with a master's degree in physics from the University of London and worked for almost 20 years as an energy research scientist for the Electricity Trust of South Australia, but since 2000 has been an independent consultant specialising in residential energy efficiency and renewable energy.[http://www.ises.org/ises.nsf!Open Monica Oliphant elected President of ISES] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310063441/http://www.ises.org/ises.nsf!Open |date=March 10, 2008 }}[http://www.innovation.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/2120/Event_7_bio_ALL.pdf Energy Options for a Warming World] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706122450/http://www.innovation.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/2120/Event_7_bio_ALL.pdf |date=6 July 2011 }}[https://web.archive.org/web/20060823213602/http://www.ecovoice.com.au/issues/issue%205/EV5.Sphere.pg3.pdf Eco Voice interviews Monica Oliphant]{{cite news|last1=Delaney|first1=Brigid|title=Solar energy pioneer Monica Oliphant on charting her own path in science|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/mar/08/solar-energy-pioneer-monica-oliphant-on-charting-her-own-path-in-science|work=The Guardian|date=7 March 2016}} Oliphant attributes her interest in solar energy from hearing Sir Macfarlane Burnet in the 1970s claiming that "if we used solar energy we would not need to fight over oil" – this sparked a career of over 40 years in the renewable energy industry.{{cite web|last1=Beam|first1=The|title=When I started, people who promoted renewable energy were regarded as tree huggers.|url=https://medium.com/thebeammagazine/when-i-started-people-who-promoted-renewable-energy-were-regarded-as-tree-huggers-e6422e23f397|website=Medium|date=5 July 2017}} Key to her work was the belief that sustainable energy should be available to everyone and she claimed to be most proud of her work monitoring the effect of energy efficient devices on low income households in Australia, as well as being part of the Australian Federal Government's first Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) which enabled Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), helping make small scale renewable energy more affordable.
Oliphant was President of the International Solar Energy Society from 2008 to 2009 and is an adjunct associate professor at the University of South Australia.
Honors and awards
2002 – South Australia Great Environmental Award{{cite web|date=2008|title=Local Renewables Conference|url=http://series.local-renewables-conference.org/freiburg2009/speakers/|website=series.local-renewables-conference.org|language=en}}
2012 – World Renewable Energy Network Pioneer Award{{cite web|title=Solar Pioneer South Australia's Senior Australian Of The Year – Energy Matters|url=https://www.energymatters.com.au/renewable-news/monica-oliphant-solar-em5187/|website=Energy Matters|date=12 November 2015}}
2011 – Most Outstanding Contribution to the Clean Energy Industry, Ecogen
2015 – Officer of the Order of Australia – presented for services to the renewable energy research in solar photovoltaics.{{cite news|title=Oliphant embraced renewables|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/monica-oliphant-treehugging-physicist-turned-to-renewables/news-story/70f102581d3ff4f926d59089313cda3c|date=7 June 2015}}
2016 – Senior South Australian of the Year{{Cite web|url=http://www.energymatters.com.au/renewable-news/monica-oliphant-solar-em5187/|title=Solar Pioneer South Australia's Senior Australian Of The Year – Energy Matters|website=Energy Matters|date=11 November 2015 |language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-19}}
References
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Category:Australian physicists
Category:People associated with solar power
Category:Alumni of the University of London
Category:University of Adelaide alumni
Category:Academic staff of the University of South Australia