ALWAYS SUNNY He’s exceptionally good at getting grants ($7.5m), publishing research papers (100+) and seeing candidates achieve higher degrees (4500 during his time as deputy dean of UQ’s Graduate School). USC Australia is lucky indeed to have Professor Stephan Riek ...

VIVA LA ELLIS Professor Viv Ellis is switching hemispheres, joining Monash University as dean of the Faculty of Education in June after a long career in the UK. Currently professor of educational leadership and teacher development at King’s College London, ...

ASHWORTH LEADS ‘CHANGE ENABLERS’ The University of Queensland’s Andrew N. Liveris Academy for Innovation and Leadership has appointed sustainability expert Professor Peta Ashworth as its inaugural director. “I look forward to helping [the academy’s scholars] build a more sustainable future ...

SUSSEX TO SYDNEY Two Sussex professors are moving up in the world (figuratively) by moving down in the world (cartographically), taking up positions at the University of NSW. Professor Claire Annesley (pictured), former deputy pro-vice-chancellor (equalities and diversity), will become ...

EGAN’S SUCCESSOR Macquarie’s longest-serving chancellor, Michael Egan, has left some big shoes to fill. Stepping into them is Dr Martin Parkinson, a public servant of more than 30 years who served as secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister ...

FRESH FROM RIO Dr Xiaoling Liu has been announced as QUT’s new chancellor. A former president and CEO of Rio Tinto Minerals in the United States, gaining her PhD at Imperial College London and completing her Bachelor of Engineering in ...

NEW SIGHTS FOR STARRY EYES Dr Belinda Nicholson, an astronomer, researcher and lecturer from the University of Southern Queensland, will be searching for alien worlds on foreign land in her new role as a post-doctoral researcher with the University of ...

Alright, alright, alright, class. Students at the University of Texas’ Moody College of Communication might be hearing this at the beginning of their first lecture later this year after Matthew McConaughey was appointed professor of practice. The Dallas Buyers Club, Interstellar and ...

FOR THE KIDS The former pro-vice-chancellor (health) and current research professor at Griffith’s School of Medicine has been appointed chair of the Children’s Health Research Alliance. Professor Allan Cripps has been well recognised for his contributions to science and research, ...

RETIRING ON LAURELS One year from now, the University of Queensland’s VC, Professor Peter Høj, will be stepping down from a long era in the top job. “Under his leadership, UQ is now one of Australia’s best teaching institutions, with ...