Kirsten Banks

Career story

Following Curiosity to the Stars

A visit to an IMAX theatre set Dr Kirsten Banks on a remarkable path into astrophysics.

Watching a documentary about the Hubble Space Telescope, Kirsten was captivated by more than the spectacular images filling the screen. What truly sparked her imagination was the realisation that scientists could uncover the secrets of unimaginably distant objects simply by studying their light.

Particles of light that had travelled across the universe for billions of years could reveal what stars and galaxies were made of, how they moved and how they had changed.

Kirsten left the cinema determined to understand how this was possible – and hoping that one day she might contribute to those discoveries herself.

That curiosity led her to study physics and astrophysics, and ultimately to complete a PhD investigating red giant stars and the history of the Milky Way.

At the beginning of her doctoral research, Kirsten faced a choice between studying exoplanets – worlds orbiting stars beyond our solar system – or exploring the evolution of our own galaxy. Having previously researched galaxy evolution, examining the Milky Way in greater detail felt like a natural next step. There was also a simpler reason: she found stars irresistible.

Red giants are ageing stars that act as historical markers. By examining their chemical composition, motion, and location, astrophysicists can reconstruct how the Milky Way formed, grew, and changed. Like a form of galactic archaeology, these stars offer clues to events that unfolded billions of years before humans appeared.

Today, Kirsten is a passionate astrophysicist and lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology. She also works with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery – helping to connect cutting-edge research with the public.

With a PhD in astrophysics and proud Wiradjuri heritage, Kirsten brings a distinctive and valuable perspective to science communication. 

She appreciates the inherently interdisciplinary nature of Indigenous knowledge systems, in which knowledge of the sky is connected with plants, animals, seasons, kinship and caring for Country.

Developed and refined over tens of thousands of years, these living knowledge systems offer modern science an important lesson: complex questions cannot always be understood by dividing knowledge into separate fields.

Respectful collaboration between Indigenous knowledge holders and Western researchers can deepen our understanding of the universe while strengthening how we respond to challenges on Earth. Such collaboration must recognise Indigenous leadership, protect culturally sensitive knowledge and ensure that knowledge is shared with appropriate consent.

This is particularly important for Australia. Space research develops advanced technologies, scientific capability and highly skilled careers, while supporting services that communities use every day – from communications, navigation and weather forecasting to environmental monitoring and disaster response. It also provides opportunities for Australia’s space sector to learn from and acknowledge the world’s oldest continuing cultures.

Science communication is central to Kirsten’s work because she believes everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy science and understand the extraordinary universe we inhabit.

Astronomy is a powerful gateway: it inspires curiosity, encourages questions and helps people develop the critical – thinking skills required to make informed decisions.

Known for her enthusiasm and engaging fun facts on social media, Kirsten captivates audiences around the world. She also leads workshops that inspire wonder in people of all ages, making complex discoveries feel exciting, relevant and accessible.

Her advice to young people interested in space is simple: talk to researchers and keep asking questions. Find out what scientists really do, what mysteries they are investigating and what excites them. You do not need your entire career mapped out – your interests can change as you discover new possibilities.

Her own curiosity is now fixed on the mysterious “Little Red Dots” detected by the James Webb Space Telescope. Are they powered by unexpectedly massive black holes, or do they point to something scientists have not yet imagined?

For Kirsten, the possibility that the universe is still hiding profound surprises remains as thrilling as that first encounter with Hubble on an IMAX screen.