Australian of the Year

Professor Charitha (Chari) Pattiaratchi is recognised as a world-leading authority on oceanography, and his work has been hugely influential in expanding our understanding of how the oceans impact our lives. 

Through pioneering research techniques, such as autonomous ocean gliders, Chari has made important discoveries about the behaviour of waves, currents, tides and coastal hazard events such as tsunamis. His research has practical results in improving marine safety and coastal planning as well as predicting how changing ocean conditions affect us all. His understanding of ocean currents led him to successfully predict the landfall of debris from the missing flight MH370. 

Alongside his pioneering research, Chari has mentored hundreds of students and scientists through the coastal oceanography group he built at The University of Western Australia. 

Like the ocean itself, the scope and depth of Chari’s research is vast and sets the standard for oceanography studies across the globe.