Nicola Phillips named first Adelaide University vice-chancellor

Political economist Nicola Phillips will lead Australia¡¯s newest public university after being named incoming vice-chancellor of Adelaide University.

Phillips, currently provost at 바카라사이트 University of Melbourne, will take?on 바카라사이트 role at Adelaide University ¨C 바카라사이트 result of a?merger?of 바카라사이트 universities of Adelaide and South Australia ¨C?at 바카라사이트 start?of?its inaugural academic year in January.

A former vice-principal for education at King¡¯s College London, Phillips said she was ¡°thrilled¡± to join 바카라사이트 institution ¡°at a time of unmatched potential and possibilities¡±.

¡°I look forward to leading Adelaide University and establishing 바카라사이트 institution as a trailblazer for change, where education and research of 바카라사이트 highest quality reach into all corners of our society.¡±

The university said Phillips¡¯ appointment had followed a ¡°comprehensive global search¡± marked by a ¡°high-quality candidate field¡±. The vice-chancellors of 바카라사이트 constituent institutions, 바카라사이트 University of Adelaide¡¯s Peter H?j and 바카라사이트 University of South Aaustralia¡¯s David Lloyd, ruled 바카라사이트mselves out of contention in January.

Former UniSA chancellor Pauline Carr, who chairs 바카라사이트 Adelaide University Transition Council, said Phillips had guided ¡°significant step changes across contemporary academic delivery, student access and equity, Aboriginal knowledges, online education and cultural inclusivity¡± during a 30-year higher education career in 바카라사이트 UK and Australia.

Philips, who also served as interim vice-chancellor at Melbourne, has lent a public face to 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s responses to contentious issues including staff underpayment, rampant casualisation and sexual misconduct.

Melbourne said Phillips had ¡°resolutely pursued¡± matters of ¡°equity, inclusion and conduct¡± during her time at 바카라사이트 university. Vice-chancellor Emma Johnston said Phillips had been ¡°instrumental in maintaining stability and momentum¡± at 바카라사이트 institution.

Her elevation means that from next year, five of Australia¡¯s Group of Eight universities will be led by women.

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 chief of New Zealand¡¯s highest ranked university has announced her intention to depart after six years in 바카라사이트 role.

University of Auckland vice-chancellor Dawn Freshwater is set to leave in mid-2026, following a turbulent period that included her installation in 바카라사이트 middle of Covid-19 lockdowns, and institutional soul-searching over 바카라사이트 place of M¨¡ori cultural knowledge in higher education.

Freshwater was also involved in a protracted legal dispute with high-profile microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles, who alleged that Auckland had failed to shield her from threats and abuse over her coronavirus commentary. The New Zealand Employment Court found that 바카라사이트 university had not violated Wiles¡¯ academic freedom but that it ¡°should have moved more quickly¡± in implementing protective measures.

In late May, 바카라사이트 court 바카라사이트 university to pay Wiles NZ$205,000 (?92,000) in compensation. Wiles had sought NZ$380,000, but 바카라사이트 judge found 바카라사이트 request excessive because 바카라사이트 microbiologist had not succeeded ¡°on all points¡± of her lawsuit.

Auckland chancellor Cecilia Tarrant said Freshwater would ¡°leave 바카라사이트 university in a position of strength¡±, having ¡°sustained its global positioning¡± and maintained ¡°solid¡± financials. ¡°We are grateful that she has given us an extended notice period,¡± Tarrant told staff.

Freshwater said Auckland must remain a comprehensive university, offering ¡°a wide range of options¡± for students and researchers. ¡°The nature of 바카라사이트 world¡¯s great challenges requires contributions from all disciplines,¡± she said.

¡°I believe, unlike many parts of a polarising world, that New Zealanders continue to value what we offer our communities and broader society.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com