Dr Alexandra Bratanova

Senior Research Scientist

https://people.csiro.au/b/a/alexandra-bratanova

+61738335687

Biography

Dr Alexandra Bratanova is a Senior Research Scientist in CSIRO’s Data61 Humans and Machines team, where she leads and contributes to applied research at the intersection of artificial intelligence adoption, strategic foresight, economics and data-driven decision-making. Since 2023, Alexandra has played a leading role in CSIRO’s research on AI adoption across key sectors of the Australian economy, with a focus on translating emerging AI capability into practical, responsible and sector-relevant pathways for use. Her work has included major sector-focused studies on AI adoption in insurance, sport and export-oriented AI capability. She led the research team delivering the Artificial Intelligence for Better Insurance, which examined how AI could transform insurance through improved risk assessment, claims management, customer service and operational efficiency, while also highlighting the governance, trust, skills and implementation challenges associated with adoption. Building on this sector-focused research, Alexandra led the Roadmap for AI in Australian Sport for the Australian Sports Commission, which contributes to a national strategy for how the sport sector can harness AI opportunities responsibly. She also led the 2025 Australia’s Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem report, which provided evidence on Australia’s AI companies, research strengths, workforce and capability gaps, and has been cited in national AI policy, including Australia’s National AI Plan.

Alexandra has also led work on Australia’s AI export opportunity, including CSIRO’s contribution to Austrade’s Unlocking potential with Australian AI – Industry Capability Report. This work has been used to showcase Australia’s AI strengths, sector-specific capabilities and responsible AI credentials to international business, government and investment audiences. More broadly, her recent research has examined AI adoption, innovation ecosystems, regional AI capability clusters, AI skills and workforce transitions, and the diffusion of AI across scientific and industry domains.

Since 2021, Alexandra has increasingly focused on strategic foresight and data-driven decision-making in Australia and the Indo-Pacific region. Her work includes leadership of and contributions to roadmap and megatrends studies for the ASEAN Secretariat, research and engagement under the Australia–Indonesia research partnership, work with the Vietnamese Government on digital economy initiatives, and capability-building activities for UNDP in the Philippines. She has also contributed to major foresight studies including Our Future World: Global megatrends impacting the way we live over coming decades, which supports long-term strategic and policy decision-making across government, industry and the broader community in Australia.

Beyond technology-specific research, Alexandra leads and contributes to decision-science projects across multiple industry domains. These include leading the research teams and delivered reports on heat vulnerability and loss of electricity in the energy sector, the future of mental health, future transport and mobility studies, and earlier work on blockchain adoption, trade and investment, digital infrastructure, construction skills and workforce transitions. Her research combines economics, foresight methods, stakeholder engagement and quantitative evidence to help decision-makers navigate uncertainty and identify practical pathways for action.

Alexandra joined CSIRO in 2016 and has co-authored more than 35 research reports for public and private sector organisations. Her publications include national and international reports, peer-reviewed and working papers on AI adoption, energy economics, technology diffusion, strategic foresight and innovation systems. Her recent academic publications includes research on AI adoption across scientific disciplines, regional AI capability clusters in Australia, the future of blockchain adoption, and megatrends methodology.

Alexandra is also an active science communicator, regularly presenting at national and international research, government and industry forums. In 2025, she received the Research on Stage Award within CSIRO’s Analytics and Decision Sciences program. She is actively engaged in delivery of the Next Generation Graduates Program, including the AI in Sport stream, supporting the development of emerging research talent in applied AI and decision sciences.

Alexandra holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Queensland and a Candidate of Economic Sciences degree, equivalent to a PhD, from Moscow City Government University of Management. Her doctoral research developed and applied multiple criteria analysis and levelised cost of energy methods to complex policy and investment decisions in the energy sector. She has also recently completed a Mini MBA program through the Australian Institute of Management, further strengthening her leadership, strategic management and project leadership capabilities.

Achievements and Awards

2017-2017

Decision Sciences Program Excellence Award
CSIRO
2014-2014

Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT)
UQ School of Economics
2012-2012

Best Research Paper Award
XIX International Student, Postgraduate and Young Scientist Conference "Lomonosov", Moscow, Russia
2008-2008

Best Research Paper Award in Economics and Public Management
Fifth International Student Conference Finance Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow
2008-2008

First Place Award for the Best Social Initiative
International Youth Conference "Leadership and Civil Society"
2007-2008

Best Research Papers Award
International Student Research Conference (St.Peterburg State University)

Academic Qualifications

2015

PhD
The University of Queensland
2013

Candidate of Economic Sciences (equivalent to PhD)
Moscow City Government University of Management
2009

Graduate Certificate in Economics
The University of Queensland
2008

Specialist in Economics with Distinction (equivalent to Honors degree)
Moscow City Government University of Management
2003

High School withDistinction - Gold Medal Award
Gimnasium 1528

Professional Experiences

2016-2022

Research Scientist
CSIRO
2011-2015

Research Assistant, Guest Lecturer
School of Economics, the University of Queensland
2011-2015

Tutorial Coordinator, Tutor
The University of Queensland
2013-2014

Researcher
National Research University “Higher School of Economics” (NRU HSE) (Moscow, Russia)
2008-2011

Deputy Head of the Analytical Department
Chamber of Control and Accounts of Moscow (Moscow Audit Office)
2007-2008

Economist
Central Scientific Agricultural Library
2000-2007

Accountant
AMT, UMiT

Grants

2012-2015

The University of Queensland International Scholarship, the Graduate School, the School of Economics
2009-2009

The University of Queensland – Moscow City Government University of Management Scholarship
2006-2007

Grants of Moscow City Government
2005-2005

Personal Scholarship of Moscow International Business Association