Jim Nyand (ACU) has taken over as chair of Engagement Australia and Callista Thillou (Flinders U) is the new deputy chair.
Matt Brett is leaving La Trobe U, where he is higher education policy manager. He is moving to Deakin U, to become director, academic governance and standards.
Cancer researcher Phoebe Phillips (UNSW) is a 2018 Eisenhower Fellow, which funds seven-week programme in the US.
The two CSL Centenary Fellows are Connie Wong (Monash U) and Daniel Pellicci (Peter Doherty Insitute). Dr Pellicci will use his $1.25m to study “unconventional: T Cells in tuberculosis. Dr Wong will use hers to investigate connections between brain and immune system.
Astrophysicist Lisa Harvey-Smith is the Commonwealth’s inaugural Women in STEM ambassador. She will “advocate for girls and women in STEM education careers.
Sue Keay from QUT is named by Robohub one of 2018’s 25 women in robotics one needs to know about. Dr Keay is CEO of the university’s robotic vision centre.
The UK and Ireland Society for French Studies announces Natalie Edwards from the University of Adelaide is its 2018-19 international visiting fellow.
La Trobe U has appointed a new head of LT U Asia. Euan Graham joins from the Lowy Institute. He replaces Nick Bisley, who moved up to run the university’s HASS school.
UNSW announces Dimity Kingsford Smith is the inaugural MinterEllison chair in risk and regulation.
Ian Musgrave (pharmacology at the University of Adelaide medical school) wins the Australian Skeptics 2018 Thornett Award for, “the promotion of reason.” Last year Dr Musgrave was named un-sung science communicator at the SA Science Awards.
Robyn Dowling will become head of school and dean of the University of Sydney’sSchool of Architecture, Design and Planning as of January 1. She steps up from associate dean, research. Professor Dowling will be the first woman to lead the school. She replacesJohn Redmond, dean since 2010.
The new team at the National Tertiary Education Union is in place. Alison Barnes (Macquarie U) is now federal president, with Matt McGowan, general secretaryand Gabe Gooding his deputy.
Michelle King joins consultants KPMG as director of the education practice. Ms King moves from Monash U where she leads alumni and external engagement.
Winners of this year’s Prime Minister’s science prizes are:
PM’s Science Prize: Kurt Lambeck from the ANU
PM’s Prize for Innovation: Finisar Australia (Simon Poole, Andrew Bartos, Glenn Baxter, Steven Frisken)
Frank Fenner Prize for life scientist of the year: Lee Berger (James Cook U and University of Melbourne)
Malcolm McIntosh Prize for physical science: Jack Clegg (University of Queensland)
New innovators prize: Geoff Rogers, Wintermute Biomedical
Primary Science teacher: Brett Crawford, Warrigal Road State School, Brisbane
Secondary Science teacher: Scott Sleap from the Cessnock Learning Community.