Western Australia–based geoscientist Dr Ravinder Raj Anand has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division in the Australia Day 2026 Honours List, recognising a career that has helped reshape mineral exploration and geochemistry in Australia and internationally.
Dr Anand was recognised for significant service to earth science and mineral resources, particularly for his pioneering work in regolith exploration and applied geochemistry—fields critical to finding mineral deposits concealed beneath Australia’s vast cover of soil and weathered rock.
Over several decades, Dr Anand played a central role at Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), where he held senior leadership and research positions including Chief Research Scientist, Senior Principal Research Scientist and Group Leader in regolith geoscience. His work underpinned major advances in exploration methods now widely used by the minerals industry.
Beyond CSIRO, Dr Anand provided national leadership through the Cooperative Research Centre for Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration, where he served on the executive committee and led flagship programs focused on mineral exploration in areas of cover. He also guided long-running industry collaborations through the Australian Minerals Industry Research Association, heading major predictive geochemistry projects for more than a decade.
An internationally respected scientist, Dr Anand has authored or co-authored more than 300 publications, including influential monographs, peer-reviewed papers and technical reports. He is a Fellow of both the The Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Australasian Institute of Geoscientists, and served as a Distinguished Lecturer and Fellow of the Association of Applied Geochemists.
His contribution to education has been equally enduring. Dr Anand has been an Adjunct Professor at Curtin University since 2001 and previously held academic appointments in Australia and India, mentoring generations of geoscientists.
The AM adds to an already distinguished list of accolades, including CSIRO’s Mineral Resources Lifetime Achievement Award, the International Association of Applied Geochemists’ Gold Medal for outstanding scientific achievement, and the Geological Society of Australia’s Gibb Maitland Medal.
The Australia Day 2026 Honours List was announced by Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who said the awards reflect “Australia’s values for service, community, kindness, curiosity, tenacity and care”.
This year’s list recognises 949 Australians, marking a significant increase on previous years and highlighting the growing breadth of service across science, community and public life. Recipients, including Dr Anand, will attend investiture ceremonies at Government House in their respective states and territories in coming months.
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