Generative AI consultant · Neurotech researcher

Alistair Walsh

Based in Reservoir, Victoria, Alistair pairs a decade of open science leadership with hands-on expertise in generative AI systems. He helps libraries, universities, and creative studios design responsible AI strategies, orchestrate data-ready pipelines, and prototype agentic tools that deliver measurable impact. From Research Platforms at the University of Melbourne to bespoke client engagements, he meets teams where they are and brings emerging AI capability within reach.

Advisory focus
Generative AI strategy, agent orchestration, research-grade experimentation
Community roles
Research Platforms @ University of Melbourne · Software Carpentry Instructor Trainer
Toolkit
Python, R, LangChain, OpenAI & Claude APIs, vector search, data governance playbooks
Championing accessible coding education since 2013

Impact snapshot

Live metrics pulled from GitHub keep this overview of Alistair's open science and generative AI footprint up to date.

Open-source repositories 421

A growing archive of research tooling, workshop materials, and creative experiments.

Global collaborators 54

Researchers, librarians, and product teams following along with neurotech and AI initiatives.

Community stars

Total GitHub stars across public repositories, celebrating shared wins.

Years building in public 12

Continuous contributions since joining GitHub in 2013.

Advisory pillars

Strategic guidance tailored to organisations exploring responsible, human-centred AI.

Generative AI strategy & governance

Designing roadmaps that connect organisational goals with trustworthy AI practices. Aligning data readiness, risk mitigation, and value realisation.

  • Establish AI steering groups, policy frameworks, and evaluation rubrics.
  • Translate research insights into executive-ready roadmaps and investment cases.

Applied prototyping & integrations

Building human-in-the-loop tools with LangChain, open-source agents, and bespoke APIs that slot into existing ecosystems.

  • Rapid prototypes that de-risk AI investments and accelerate buy-in.
  • Reference architectures for knowledge search, workflow automation, and multimodal storytelling.

AI literacy & enablement

Upskilling cross-functional teams with curricula that blend open science rigor, prompt engineering, and creative exploration.

  • Facilitated AI capability sprints for researchers, librarians, and creative technologists.
  • Authored reusable lesson kits and playbooks for continuous learning.

How we can work together

Select the engagement format that fits your team's pace, questions, and experimentation appetite.

Strategy intensives

Facilitated workshops that align leadership, surface high-impact use cases, and document next steps in an actionable roadmap.

  • Pre-engagement discovery interviews
  • Executive-ready opportunity canvas
  • Risk, governance, and policy recommendations
Schedule a workshop

Prototype sprints

Time-boxed engagements delivering a working proof-of-concept, integration plan, and metrics framework to evaluate success.

  • Human-in-the-loop workflow design
  • Agentic tooling with OpenAI, Claude, and open models
  • Documentation for technical handover
Launch a sprint

Capability partnerships

Fractional AI leadership that embeds with your team to operationalise playbooks, track outcomes, and cultivate internal champions.

  • Monthly strategy and measurement sessions
  • Training pathways and enablement collateral
  • Ongoing model, data, and tooling reviews
Explore retainers

A collaborative, evidence-led approach

Every engagement balances rapid experimentation with the rigour demanded by research, cultural, and public institutions.

Map the opportunity

We co-design a value thesis grounded in your data landscape, stakeholder priorities, and governance requirements.

Build & iterate

Rapid prototypes demonstrate what's possible while feedback loops keep humans in control and insights reproducible.

Enable & sustain

Training, documentation, and performance dashboards set your team up to own, scale, and continuously improve the solution.

Open-source highlights

Recent repositories showcase the blend of generative AI agents, research infrastructure, and teaching resources.

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Milestones

Moments that map the journey from neuroscience student to generative AI consultant and open science leader.

  1. Launching Aquire for EEG research

    Released a Python client for the Neuroscan Acquire 4.3 server, making it easier to stream multi-channel EEG data into neurofeedback environments.

    Explore Aquire
  2. Simulating participants with countZero

    Created a LabStreamingLayer-ready virtual participant to stress-test neurotechnology pipelines before moving to the lab.

    See countZero
  3. Scaling Python training across campuses

    Led Software Carpentry workshops at Swinburne University of Technology and the University of Melbourne, expanding the reach of hands-on coding education.

    Swinburne workshop Unimelb workshop
  4. Guiding AI literacy for research communities

    Designed and delivered remote-first programs helping academics and librarians explore responsible AI, reproducibility, and data stewardship.

  5. Designing modular course starters

    Published a reusable template for interactive Python courses, streamlining delivery for Research Bazaar and partner events.

    Course starter
  6. Building library-friendly AI agents

    Most recently, launched agex, experimenting with approachable agentic workflows for collections and cultural institutions.

Publications & writing

A snapshot of open teaching resources and publications documenting Alistair's research-led practice.

New Lesson: Teaching without the jargon

An R Markdown essay distilling workshop experience into learner-first guidance for introducing Python concepts.

  • Explores practical pedagogy for scientific coding education.
  • Includes reproducible Python snippets and classroom prompts.
Read the essay

SQL Week at NeuralCode

A long-form blog post introducing database fundamentals for researchers transitioning from spreadsheets to SQL.

  • Demonstrates SQLite commands and query patterns.
  • Highlights data management workflows for experiments.
View the guide

Software Carpentry: Swinburne Python workshop

Comprehensive lesson materials powering the Swinburne University of Technology Python bootcamp.

  • Hands-on notebooks, exercises, and instructor notes.
  • Supports research computing skills across campuses.
Browse the materials

Aquire: Streaming EEG research data

Python client enabling Neuroscan Acquire 4.3 data streaming for neurofeedback experimentation.

  • Bridges lab hardware with flexible analysis workflows.
  • Published under an open-source license for reuse.
Explore the repository

Qualifications & accreditation

Formal study and professional credentials underpinning responsible generative AI and neurotechnology engagements.

Academic degree

BSc (Honours) Cognitive Neuroscience

Swinburne University of Technology

  • Honours research focused on neurofeedback and brain-computer interfaces.
  • Combined human factors, data analysis, and experimental design.
Professional certification

Software Carpentry Instructor Trainer

The Carpentries

  • Certified to mentor and assess new instructors globally.
  • Delivers evidence-based pedagogy for research computing.
Leadership role

Research Platforms Associate, AI & data programs

University of Melbourne

  • Co-designed the Data Fluency program supporting 10k+ researchers.
  • Leads ethical AI capability building across library partnerships.

Creative & experimental labs

Explorations in audio, generative media, and storytelling tools that complement scientific practice.

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Keep an eye out for generative audio and storytelling projects as they sync from GitHub.

Research tooling & writing

Small but mighty scripts, notes, and posts that smooth research workflows.

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Let's collaborate

Whether you're exploring neurofeedback, launching an AI innovation agenda, or dreaming up a creative technology installation, reach out to co-design the next experiment.