Pauline Carr is the University of South Australia’s new chancellor. The UniSA pro-chancellor was appointed at the university council meeting on Thursday night.  She replaces Jim McDowell who resigned to become head of the state’s department of premier and cabinet. The change-over occurs at a sensitive time, with public discussions underway of a possible merger between UniSA and the University of Adelaide.  With his UniAdelaide counterpart, Kevin Scarce, Mr McDowell was sponsoring the process. However, UniSA says Ms Carr, “has been involved in the merger discussions since their inception.”

She has 30 years-experience in the resources industry and has served on the university’s council since 2010.