Delwyn Jones
Delwyn Jones’s work has moved from laboratories and steelworks to the environmental assessment of buildings and products. Across that work, she has helped turn scientific knowledge into tools people can use.
She began as a cadet chemist at BHP in 1965 and founded the Evah Institute in 2008. Her career brings together materials science, industrial problem-solving and a long-standing interest in how we measure our effect on the environment.
From 1987, Delwyn led BHP’s international inductor research programme, working on technology used to heat and handle molten metal. She brought four patented products to market and developed technology for ZINCALUME® licensees and furnace manufacturers.
Her work also took her out of the laboratory and onto the factory floor. After a fire disrupted BHP’s metal-coating operations in 1990, she led recovery work across two states.
Working with Dr Richard Payling from 1990, Delwyn helped develop methods for measuring the elements in materials and surface coatings. Their work on glow discharge optical emission spectrometry moved from mathematical calculations into commercial scientific instruments.
She also helped bring that knowledge together in a reference book, co-edited with Richard Payling and Arne Bengtson and published by Wiley in 1997.
In 1995, Delwyn’s team developed a life cycle inventory database to assess building designs, government supply contracts and the Homebush Bay development for the Sydney Olympic Games. The database brought together information about materials and their supply chains so those choices could be assessed.
Her later work in Queensland included building assessment guidelines and an owner’s brief for energy-efficient commercial offices. In 2002, she was seconded by CSIRO to a Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation project, developing a national supply-chain database for software that assessed buildings using digital design models.
Delwyn founded the Evah Institute in 2008 with six associates. The Institute brought together her experience in industrial research, building assessment and environmental data.
Its work models product supply chains and environmental effects to support research, product development, certification and better-informed decisions.
Began her career as a cadet chemist at BHP.
Research Scientist at BHP Research, 1980 to 1995.
Principal Scientist with the New South Wales Department of Public Works and Services, 1995 to 1997.
Principal Scientist with the Queensland Department of Public Works, 1997 to 2007.
Founded the Evah Institute.
Delwyn Jones, Mathilde Vlieg, Shloka Ashar, Lesley Friend and Ceclia Costa Gomez
Delwyn and her co-authors examine how sustainability education and assessment can measure environmental gains as well as damage. Drawing on case studies, they explore how clearer measures and positive language can help people understand what progress looks like and take part in it.
Read the paperHer professional track record through 2015 lists contributions across 7 patents, 3 books, more than 10 book chapters, more than 75 papers and more than 100 research reports.
View Delwyn’s research on ResearchGate
Edited by Richard Payling, Delwyn Jones and Arne Bengtson
Wiley, 1997
How do scientists find out exactly what a material contains? This reference book explains techniques for measuring the elements in solid materials and surface coatings.
Global GreenTag introduces a conversation with Delwyn about how life cycle assessment can help manufacturing and the built environment move towards better outcomes for nature.
Read on Global GreenTagDelwyn discusses building nature positive futures in this video from Australian Earth Laws Alliance’s Earth Laws Month 2022 series.
Watch on YouTubeFinancing Innovation Growth Queensland Marketing Award
Facilities Managers Association Research Award
Banksia Foundation Built Environment Award
Banksia Foundation Environment Government Award
Bachelor of Science in Environment — University of Wollongong.
Master of Arts (Honours) in Technology Management — University of Wollongong.
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