On the move | July

ELDER TO OPEN DOORS RMIT has announced that Indigenous Elder scholar in residence Distinguished Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson has joined the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. A Goenpul woman from Minjerribah, Quandamooka First Nation in Queensland, Moreton-Robinson said she was proud to have made it through the rigorous selection process. She said her inclusion in the largest cohort of Indigenous people ever elected to the academy was a positive sign. “I want Australians to understand Aboriginal philosophy to help shape how you can change your relationship with the planet.” TERRY CHAIRS TEHAN GROUP Minister for Education Dan Tehan has announced the line up for a working group that will provide advice about sustainable approaches to research funding for universities during COVID-19 and beyond. The VCs who make up the group, chaired by Universities Australia chair and Curtin University vice-chancellor Deborah Terry, include Margaret Sheil (QUT), Duncan Maskell (UniMelb), Ian Jacobs (UNSW), Rufus Black (UTAS), Simon Maddocks (CDU), Margaret Gardner (Monash) and Attila Brungs (UTS). The team will be charged with exploring alternative models to university research funding and allocation that would operate in conjunction with the Job-ready Graduates package. BRUNGS TACKLES FUND On the same day, Tehan revealed the members of a second working group, which will help design the government’s $900 million National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund to enhance engagement between higher education and industry. UTS’s Atila Brungs will this time chair the working group, which comprises VCs Alex Zelinsky (UON), Brian Schmidt (ANU), Helen Bartlett (FedUni), David Lloyd (UniSA), Barney Glover (WSU) and Eeva Leinonen (Murdoch), along with Curtin’s Terry. ARC FOR SIMMONS Award-winning earth scientist, hydrogeologist and groundwater expert at Flinders University Professor Craig Simmons will join the ranks of the Australian Research Council (ARC) as executive director of maths, physics, chemistry and earth sciences. The current director of the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training, Simmons will step aside from his position, along with his role as pro vice-chancellor (strategic research projects) for the term of his ARC appointment. Flinders University deputy vice-chancellor (research) Professor Robert Saint said: “Craig’s incredible breadth of expertise, his international standing and rigorous research and policy background will be an enormous asset to the ARC and the nation.” SULLIVAN STAYS ON The Ministry Leadership Program (MLP) has moved from Catholic Health Australia (CHA) to Australian Catholic University and its director Susan Sullivan has transitioned with it. Sullivan will continue to oversee the program, which gives ministry leaders the knowledge, skills and resources to better understand, integrate and live out the mission of Catholic health, aged care and social services. CHA chief executive Pat Garcia said of Sullivan: “I am confident that under her steady hand and with the resources and academic excellence of the ACU behind her the MLP will continue to thrive and grow.” POSSINGHAM HEADS HOME Conservation biologist Professor Hugh Possingham has been named chair of the Advisory Board for the University of Adelaide’s Environment Institute. Possingham, who is currently chief scientist of The Nature Conservancy, will wrap up his term there to take on the role. The institute’s director Professor Bob Hill said the appointment was a major coup for the university and was a ‘coming home’ of sorts as Possingham previously studied at the university. Last year, the university awarded him an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) in acknowledgement of his internationally recognised research into endangered species, conservation biology and ecological planning.