Paul Gladston is the inaugural occupant of the Judith Neilson Chair of Contemporary Art at UNSW. The chair is funded by a $6m gift from philanthropist Ms Neilson. Professor Gladstone researches contemporary Chinese art and culture. He moves from the University of Nottingham. Ms Neilson’s gift will also support a postdoc fellowship in contemporary art. Yu-Chieh Li from the Tate Research Centre: Asia will be the first fellow. UNSW has also renewed Ross Harley for a second term as dean of Art and Design he also takes a new chair, of culture, no less.
Flinders University chair of history Melanie Oppenheimer will take up a visiting chair in Australian studies at the University of Tokyo for 2018-19. Professor Oppenheimer will research the Japanese Red Cross.
UNSW water engineer David Waite is elected a foreign member of the US National Academy of Engineering. Professor Waite is one of 262 international engineers in the academy.
Saxon Rice is the new deputy chief commissioner of the Australian Skills Quality Authority. The former Queensland LNP assistant minister for TAFE replaces sometime federal Labor minister Michael Lavarch.
The Medical Technology, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry Growth Centrehas announced a leadership change. Bronwyn Evans is stepping down as chair, to be replaced in three months by present CEO Sue MacLeman. Ms MacLeman joined the centre in April 2016.
The University of Melbourne announces Ryan Johnston as inaugural director of the new Buxton Contemporary, home for the art collection, and money for a facility to house it, donated to the university by Michael Buxton in 2014.
Denise Varney will serve as dean of arts at the University of Melbourne, during the search for a successor to previous dean Mark Considine. Professor Considine has moved up to be UniMelb provost.
Iain Watt will join UTS as DVC International in June. He is now PVC I at UWA. His appointment follows yesterday’s announcement that Celia Hurley will also star on Broadway, moving to UTS from Curtin U to become inaugural VP for advancement.
Peter Draper will be the new executive director of the University of Adelaide’s Institute for International Trade. He is now managing director of the Tutwa Consulting Group, in South Africa.