Richard Kurth is the new director of the University of Melbourne’s Conservatorium of Music. He joins from the University of British Columbia.

Sallie Pearson (UNSW) joins the National Data Advisory Council. The newly created body advises the National Data Commissioner, who oversees the use of government-held information. Professor Pearson researches medicines policy at the university’s Centre for Big Data Research in Health.

 The University of Tasmania announces six new distinguished professors, for achievements in research, education, leadership, advocacy and governance. * Maggie Walter, “Australia’s leading Indigenous sociologist.” * Di Nicol, law and genetics. * Alison Venn, chronic disease, cancer and reproductive epidemiology. * Greg Peterson, pharmacy. * James Vickers, understanding and preventing dementia. * Rob White, green criminology

Macquarie U announces the first associate fellows in its new higher degree supervision programme; Joel Fuller, Rae-Anne Hardie, Emily Don, Marina Junqueeira Santiago and Ying Wang (all Medicine and Health Sciences), Alexandra Kurmann (Arts) and April Abbott (Science and Engineering).