Bruce Edward Hobbs (born 23 October 1936) is an Australian structural geologist and science administrator.
[1][2][3] Hobbs has popularly defined structural geology as the study of "the way in which rocks get buried and deformed and metamorphosed."
The goal is to produce a predictive modelling capability that enhances our ability to discover new ore bodies.
[1] He returned to Australia to be the Foundation Professor of Geology and chair of the Department of Earth Sciences, Monash University (1972 – 84).
[2] He left full-time work as an academic to join the CSIRO in 1984 but, in 1987, accepted an offer of Honorary Research Associate at Monash University.
[1] In 2003, the Government of Western Australia created a position of Chief Scientist within the Department of premier and Cabinet and Hobbs was appointed, the first to hold the post.
He was reported as saying that he believed research funds should be used to support and develop mining and agriculture but the Government wanted to find new technologies such as biofuels and IT to replace natural resources when they run out.
[7] On 8 June 2009, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for "service to science, particularly in the field of structural geology as a leader in the development of innovative research centres and mineral exploration technologies.