• Palynological studies, particularly of the Late Paleozoic and Early Triassic

• Integration of palynology and organic geochemistry

• Carbon Capture and Storage

• Change management, science principles, and communication of science

• Application of HPC and high performance data (HPD) in Earth Sciences

Clinton Foster has been studying geology and fluid histories of onshore and offshore sedimentary basins for 40 years. He has extensive science management and governance experience within Geoscience Australia (GA), and as a Director on the Board of several CRCs.

Clinton retired as the Chief Scientist of Geoscience Australia in June 2016.  From 2003-2011, Clinton was Chief of the Petroleum and Marine Division at GA, where he managed the $136 million New Petroleum and Offshore Energy Programs which included technical advice under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act and the annual offshore acreage release; Law of the Sea and marine boundary technical advice program; geoscience input into the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas; and the $30 million carbon capture and geological storage of carbon dioxide (CCS) program.

 A palynologist by training, specialising in the Permian-Triassic boundary and the integration of palynology with organic geochemistry, particularly in hydrocarbon source rock studies. Prior to joining GA (then Bureau of Mineral Resources) Clinton was a Senior Supervising Geologist for Western Mining Corporation Exploration Division, Petroleum; he started his career as a palynologist  with the Geological Survey of Queensland.  Currently Clinton is a principle consultant, and has been an Adjunct Professor at  The University of Western Australia, and at Deakin University. A member of the Geological Societies of London and Australia, AAPG, AGU, and AASP.