Pioneering UQ aerospace expert awarded top honour

A leading aerospace researcher from UQ's School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering has been elected as a Fellow of the prestigious American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), recognising the global impact of his work.

Professor Richard Morgan has dedicated his career to advancing the development of hypervelocity ground-test facilities and improving understanding of hypersonic flight. 

Hypersonics is vital for interplanetary space exploration because it advances our ability to design spacecraft for high-speed atmospheric entry, maneuvering, and durability in extreme conditions, which is critical to mission success.

‘I am honoured and delighted to receive this award,” Professor Morgan said

“I see it as recognition of the wonderful multigenerational support I have had throughout my career from students, colleagues, national and international collaborators, my family, and from our University for providing a continuous platform for scientific endeavour.”

Professor Morgan is the founding director of UQ's Centre for Hypersonics, an internationally recognised research centre which collaborates with universities and institutions all around the world, including NASA, Oxford University, Université Paris Saclay, the European Space Agency, JAXA in Japan and DLR in Germany.

More than140 PhD students have graduated from the centre – the largest group of hypersonic alumni from a single institution anywhere in the world, with many students receiving supervision and support from Professor Morgan. UQ's pioneering Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program was also established by Professor Morgan, more than two decades ago. 

Congratulating Professor Morgan, along with 29 Class of 2025 AIAA Fellows and Honorary Fellows, Dan Hastings, AIAA President, said these distinguished experts had earned the respect and admiration of the global science and engineering community.

“They are among the most respected names in the aerospace profession,” Mr Hastings said.

We are in awe of their creativity and exceptional contributions that have advanced aerospace.”

The 2025 AIAA Fellows and Honorary Fellows will be inducted at a ceremony in April in Washington, DC.

Media contact: victoria.james@uq.edu.au