Appointments, achievements
of the day
Jennifer Deger joins Charles Darwin as professor of digital humanities. She moves from James Cook U.
Andrew Lynch is confirmed as dean of law at UNSW. He has acted since George Williams moved up to DVC Planning in July 2020
of the week
Robyn Gallagher (Uni Sydney), Theresa Green and Claire Rickard (both Uni Queensland) become fellows of the American Academy of Nursing.
Ilana Bolingford becomes centre manager at QUT’s Centre for Robotics.
Lachlan Clohesy is elected ACT secretary for the National Tertiary Education Union
Debbie Silvester-Dean (Curtin U) receives the Royal Society of Chemistry’s 2021 Emerging Investigator Lectureship.
Jenny Dodd becomes interim CEO of TAFE Directors Australia. Ms Dodd was CEO of TasTAFE 2018-2020. She replaces Craig Robertson who becomes inaugural CEO of the Victorian Skills Authority.
Southern Cross U names Peter Harrison a Distinguished Professor for his work on coral reproductive ecology and restoration.
Hamish King will join the MRI formerly known as Walter and Eliza Hall Institute as a laboratory head, focusing on epigenomics and gene regulation. He will move from Queen Mary University of London.
James McLaren has a one-year appointment at Australian Catholic U as Interim DVC in the new portfolio of DVC Research and Enterprise. He moves from PVC R. But why just a year? “In the current environment, however, circumstances made it difficult for us to make a long-term appointment,” VC Zlatko Skrbis tells staff. DVC R Wayne McKenna left last month.
At UWA Colin MacLeod (Psychological Science) wins the Philippa Maddern Award, awarded by the academic staff association to “pay tribute to exceptional academics.”
UWA announces three new fellows funded by the Forrest Research Foundation, Jessica Kretzmann (School of Molecular Sciences), Sam Starko (marine biology) and Neil Robinson (Fluid Sciences and Resources). The fellowships are open for researchers at all five WA universities. They are funded by Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation.
Carl Rhodes becomes dean of the UTS Business School. He moves up from deputy dean.
Lan Snell is the new head of Uni Southern Queensland’s business school. She moved from Macquarie U.
Uni Adelaide’s new cancer research institute has a director, Chris Sweeney will join from Harvard Medical School. He will be joined by Luciano Martelotto (also Harvard U) and Jose Polo (Monash U). The centre is formally known as the South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute.
Michelle Trudgett becomes Western Sydney U’s inaugural DVC Indigenous Leadership. She steps up from Pro Vice-Chancellor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education, Strategy and Consultation at WSU.
The WA Premier’s Science Awards are announced, including. Scientist of the year: Eric May (UWA). Early career scientists: Edward Litton (UWA, Fiona Stanley Hospital), Arman Siahvashi (UWA). Student Scientists: Liam Scarlett (Curtin U), Niamh Troy (Telethon Kids Institute, UWA). Aboriginal STEM student: Daniel Curran (Curtin U). Science Engagement Initiative: First LEGO League (Curtin U).