Sandra Bellekon (Ear Science Institute Australia) is the new chair of the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes, WA, New representatives on the chapter committee are, Andrew Whitehouse (Kids Research Institute), Moira Clay (Harry Perkins IMR), Sarah C. (Institute Respiratory Health), Rebekha Puls (Perron Institute), Fred Chen (Lions Institute).
RMIT announces Diana Bowman starts January as inaugural dean of its law school, newly separated from bized. She will move from Arizona State U.
Madonna Duffy becomes Director of University of Queensland Press, moving up from Publishing Director, (since 2005!)
Paul Ebert joins Uni Newcastle as ED of the Institute for Energy and Resources. He moves from energy services company, Worley.
Christopher Hilliard is confirmed as head of Uni Sydney’s School of Humanities. He has been interim in the role since 2023.
DarkSky (“committed to preserving nighttime environments around the world”) announces 2025 award winners, including Therésa Jones (Uni Melbourne) whose research “has positioned light pollution as a powerful ecological force.”
Marcia Langton (Uni Melbourne) is the inaugural winner of the Rechnitz Memorial Award from the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. It recognises, “excellence in research leadership and advancement of knowledge of Indigenous society, culture and language.”
Jane McAdam (UNSW) is an inaugural member of the NSW government’s Settlement Advisory Council (to assist arriving refugees).
Chloe Read from TAFE NSW becomes chair of the TAFE Directors Australia board, she was previously deputy. The new TDA deputy chair is Mike Hamilton (Charles Darwin U).
David Smith joins Australian Catholic U as ED of Law and Business, moving from RMIT.
Aleks Subic returns to Australia to become VC of Torrens U, in April. He moves from Aston U in the UK.
The WA Premier’s Science Award winners include:
- Scientist of the year: Jacqueline Batley (Uni WA)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scientists of the year: Rhonda Marriott (Murdoch U), Stephen van Leeuwen (Curtin U)
- Hall of Fame: Peter Klinken (former WA Chief Scientist)
- Mid-career: Asha Bowen (Perth Children’s Hospital, Uni WA)
- Early career: Jessica Kretzmann (Uni WA)
- Student scientist: Shakara Liddelow-Hunt (Uni WA, Kids Research Institute)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student scientist: Taleah Ugle (Uni WA, Kids Research Institute)
- Government science project: Department of Biodiversity, Genetic assessment for conservation of rare and threated fauna
- STEM educator (schools): Nathan Curnow (Willetton Senior High)
- STEM educator (tertiary): Rina Wong (Fu) (Curtin U)
- Science Engagement: Keep Carnaby’s Flying (Murdoch U)
- People’s Choice: Charitha Pattiaratchi (Uni WA)