Swinburne astrophysicist makes Forbes 30 under 30 Asia list

Swinburne University of Technology astrophysicist and science communicator Dr Kirsten Banks has made the prestigious Forbes 30 under 30 Asia list for social media, marketing and advertising.

The Forbes 30 under 30 Asia list recognises a new wave of entrepreneurs and innovations with bold visions for the future, with Dr Banks acknowledged for her innovative approach to science communication and public engagement. 

“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported my work – the communities online, collaborators, mentors, friends, family and organisations who believed in what I do,” says Dr Banks.

Over the past decade, Dr Banks has built a distinctive career across astrophysics, teaching and science communication. Through social media, public talks and multimedia storytelling, she has helped bring complex ideas about space and gravitational wave research to wider and more diverse audiences. 

“From researching stars during my PhD to creating videos about black holes, cosmic discoveries, and the search for life beyond Earth, my goal has always been to spark curiosity and show that science belongs to everyone,” says Dr Banks.

“A huge part of that journey has also been sharing Indigenous perspectives of the night sky through my Wiradjuri heritage and highlighting that astronomy has existed in cultures around the world for tens of thousands of years.”

In her current roles as lecturer at Swinburne and science communicator at the Swinburne-based ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav), Dr Banks combines research, teaching and outreach.

She contributes to OzGrav’s mission of uncovering the mysteries of gravitational waves while teaching and mentoring the next generation of astrophysicists. She is also dedicated to creating inclusive and accessible science communication that reaches under-served communities, including Indigenous groups.  

“To every young person who’s ever looked up at the stars and wondered if there’s a place for them in science: there is and it is ready for you to take your place in it,” she says.

Dr Banks is the second Swinburne astrophysicist to be named in Forbes’s 30 Under 30 Asia list in recent years, following Dr Sara Webb in 2025.

You can read more about the Forbes 30 Under 30 on their website, and the full social media, marketing and advertising list here.