On the move: September

Retiring after 67 years at UQ

The University of Queensland’s Emeritus Professor Edward White, better known as Ted, from the School of Chemical Engineering, is about to hang up his academic gown. Ted has been a fixture of UQ for a record-breaking 67 years. He taught for more than 40 years as a lecturer, senior lecturer, reader and, finally, a professor with a personal chair in the School of Chemical Engineering.

After wrapping up his teaching career, he continued to supervise PhD students and consult to industry for a further 20 years. “I’m ready to pick up some more grandfather duties and spend more time with family,” he said. “I’ll probably do some more gardening too.”

Carr to take the wheel at UNISA

The University of South Australia has announced current pro-VC Pauline Carr as its new chancellor. Carr takes over from Jim McDowell who moves on to a role with the SA Government.
Originally an accountant, Carr has previously worked for ExxonMobil and has also been involved in the merger discussions with the University of Adelaide.

“We are an institution that is playing an important role in delivering innovation and excellence to the state, and I am pleased we have been able to approve our new strategic plan, Enterprise 25, which sets us up to confirm our place as Australia’s University of Enterprise,” Carr said.

UC keen to innovate

Professor Leigh Sullivan will head to the University of Canberra to take up the role of deputy vice‑chancellor, research and innovation.
Sullivan, who currently holds the same position at Federation University Australia, has an international reputation for his research in acid sulfate soils and carbon biosequestration and holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Honours) and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Sydney.

“Professor Sullivan’s career résumé speaks for itself. He is an accomplished researcher who has made a seamless transition from the laboratory to executive work,” said UC vice-chancellor and president Professor Deep Saini.

FedUni appoints Health Dean

Federation University Australia has announced its new dean of the School of Nursing and Healthcare Professions.
Professor Wendy Cross, previously associate dean of research and head of nursing at Torrens University, holds a PhD in transcultural psychiatry from the University of NSW and has completed the Harvard Authentic Leadership Program. In 2017 the prime minister and Cabinet appointed Professor Cross to the National Mental Health Commission.

“Professor Cross is an outstanding addition to the team of new senior leaders recently recruited by the university,” said FedUni’s vice-chancellor and president, Professor Helen Bartlett.

It’s Curtain for Crane

Dr Andrew Crane, former CEO of the CBH Group, has been appointed chancellor of Curtin University, commencing on 1 January 2019.
Crane will succeed Colin Beckett, whose two terms as chancellor conclude at the end of 2018. Beckett said Crane was unanimously elected by the Curtin Council.

“Dr Crane is currently serving his second term on the Curtin Council and he was previously a member of the Curtin Business School Advisory Council from 2009 to 2015, so his knowledge of Curtin and the higher education sector is significant,” Beckett said.

Media expert joins QUT

Amanda Lotz, a professor of communication studies at the University of Michigan, and a leading figure in critical media industry studies, will join the Queensland University of Technology Creative Industries Faculty’s School of Communication and Digital Media Research Centre (DMRC) as a capacity-building professor in early 2019.

Lotz was attracted to QUT because of its world-leading research into the creative industries.
“The DMRC provides an unparalleled opportunity to research the evolution of legacy media industries and media use alongside those companies and services that were born digital,” Lotz said.

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