Dr Rod Crawford CV
Professional Experience
1995 Founded Legend Acoustics to design and manufacture world-class loudspeakers based on experience at Linn Products in Scotland. In 1999 awarded Sound & Image magazine Best Home Theatre Speaker System award. In 2004 awarded AVL magazine Subwoofer of Year award and in 2006 Manufacturer of the Year Award. Also see about Legend Acoustics.
1994 Australian Intellectual Property Organisation (renamed IP Australia) - Examiner of Patents in an applied chemistry and metallurgy team and, later, a physics and electronics team, meeting clients' needs of high quality, cost-effective and timely patent examination. Gained Acceptance Delegation in minimum time. In 1999 transferred to policy area including working on secretariats to the Intellectual Property & Competition Review and the Advisory Council on Intellectual Property (ACIP) . In 2005 awarded IP Australia Day medallion for this and for helping set up the Intellectual Property Institute of Australia (IPRIA)
1987 - 1990 Linn Products Limited, Glasgow - Senior Acoustical Engineer, responsible for the electronic and mechanical design of a new range of loudspeakers for a world-class company. These loudspeakers included the Keltic, Kaber, Nexus, Helix, Index 2, Kan 2, Sara 9 etc. As Project Leader, brought together and developed a team from R&D, sales/marketing and manufacturing to determine design goals, set priorities and meet tight budgets/timelines from conception to manufacture. Involved obtaining feedback from customers, close collaboration with company departmental and line managers, and liaison with outside suppliers in the UK, USA, Scandinavia and Japan on design, pricing, quality and delivery of components. The loudspeakers were highly acclaimed in the international hi-fi press and their sales nearly trebled from under $4m to over $10m.
See also Legend Story from Australian HiFi
1985 - 1986 Kirklees ITeC, Yorkshire - Electronics Supervisor writing and delivering self-learning packages around skills/ competency-based criteria; monitoring placements in local industry; also developing personal/life skills.
1978 - 1985 Elizabeth College, Hobart - Head of Physics and Technology leading a talented team of instructors in developing new curricula, particularly in electronics/computing/robotics. My management style centres on developing and matching individuals strenghts to organisation and team needs, whilst leading through hard work and commitment to excellence. Delivered courses to students with a variety of ages and backgrounds. An active member of senior management committees, including the Finance Committee that controlled the College budget.
1973 - 1977 Rosny and Elizabeth Community Colleges, Hobart - Instructor in Physics, Mathematics and Electronics, requiring excellent communication and organisational skills.
1962 - 1966 Electrolytic Zinc Company, Hobart - Metallurgy Cadetship/Scholarship including experience in a variety of processing divisions , often as acting shift metallurgist monitoring the processes. Also, in R&D department contributed to internationally funded research project on creep in zinc alloys.
Education
1991 - 1992 Master of Business Administration, Australian Graduate School of Management, University of New South Wales, specialising in strategy, marketing and human resource management.
1972 Diploma of Education, University of Tasmania, majoring in Maths/Science teaching.
1967 - 1971 Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Materials Science, University of Oxford. Experimental and theoretical research including X-ray diffraction & electron microscopy plus associated computer simulation, supervised by Prof Sir Peter Hirsch FRS. Published 10 papers mainly in Philosophical Magazine.
1963- 1966 Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons), University of Melbourne with EZ Co. Scholarship. First class honours majoring in Physics and Metallurgy. Exhibitioner & Scholar Queens College. Awarded the 1966 University of Melbourne Travelling Scholarship.
1962 Bachelor of Science at University of Tasmania (part time with EZ Co. cadetship) - awarded 3 High Distinctions.
1957-1961 Hobart High School, Tasmania. Won Electrolytic Zinc Company, Hobart, Metallurgy Cadetship/Scholarship and University of Tasmania Entrance Scholarship. Played saxaphone in school orchestra & piano to grade 6 AMEB.
1954-1956 Campbell Street State Primary School, Tasmania. Dux of School 1956.
1951-1953 Mowbray Heights State Primary School, Tasmania.
Voluntary Positions
1967-8 Treasurer St Catherines College Oxford Middle Common Room.
1968-9 President, Oxford Australia Club.
1978-80 President, Channel Branch ALP.
1978-84 Snug Rural Fire Brigade, First Officer.
1982 President, Elizabeth College Staff Association.
2013-14 Handicapper, Port Cygnet Sailing Club.
Other interests
Music
Sailing
Photography
Australian Rules football
