Vice-Chancellor musical chairs
As Australian universities experience the greatest crisis and challenge in their history, I thought I'd take a quick look at the make-up of the current Vice-Chancellors (VCs) with a particular focus on tenure and gender distribution, and the somewhat inherent game of musical chairs.
"One third of Australian universities are in a recent, current or emerging state of transition at the top"
Of the current crop of 37 VCs in the scope of this article:
One third have been in the role for less than 4 months or are yet to take up their appointments;
One third are female;
Twenty have been appointed from other Australian universities (6 existing VCs, 2 Provosts and 12 Deputy VCs);
Twelve were recruited internationally (primarily from UK universities);
Six were recruited from either The University of Melbourne (3) or Curtin University (3)
Four were appointments from outside the traditional university sector;
Three were internal promotions (from DVC roles);
Two were former McKinsey Consultants; and
One has been in the role longer than the combined tenure of a dozen of the most recent appointments!
The universities in a state of transition
Fifteen universities are in a current state of transition:
Seven have VCs with less than four months tenure in their roles;
Four have appointed VCs who have yet to take up their appointments; and
Four are yet to make an appointment to a current or pending VC vacancy.
Universities with new VCs
The seven universities welcoming new VCs with a baptism of fire in a year like no other include:
Prof Paddy Nixon at The University of Canberra in June from Ulster University where he was VC. Paddy is not new to Australia having been the DVC (Research) at UTAS prior to taking up his Ulster appointment in 2015.
Prof Amit Chakma at The University of Western Australia in July from the University of Western Ontario where he was VC from 2009 to 2019.
Prof Deborah Terry at The University of Queensland in August from Curtin University where she was VC for six years. This is a return home for Deborah as she was previously DVC (Academic) at UQ.
Prof Pascale Quester at Swinburne University in August from the University of Adelaide where she was DVC (Academic) from 2011 to 2020. Pascale replaces longstanding VC Prof Linda Kristjanson who led the university since 2011.
Prof Helen Bartlett at University of the Sunshine Coast in August from Federation University where she had been VC from 2017 to 2020. Helen replaced Prof Greg Hill who retired after ten years as USC's VC.
Prof Tyrone Carlin at Southern Cross University in August, where he had been DVC (Academic) for two years. Tyrone is a former CPA Australia President and DVC (Registrar) at The University of Sydney. Tyrone replaces Prof Adam Shoemaker who is moving to Victoria University after four years as SCU VC.
Prof Duncan Bentley at Federation University in August from Swinburne University where he was DVC (Academic) since 2016, replacing former VC Prof Helen Bartlett as a result of her move to USC.
New VC appointees yet to take up their role
The four new appointees yet to take up their roles are:
Prof Adam Shoemaker at Victoria University will take up his role in December 2020 from Southern Cross University where he had been VC since 2016. Adam will replace Prof Peter Dawkins who announced his retirement in February this year having been VC since 2011.
Prof Harlene Hayne at Curtin University from Otago University where she has been VC since 2011. Harlene will take up the role in April 2021. Prof John Cordery has been interim VC following Prof Deborah Terry's move to UQ in August.
Prof Patricia Davidson at The University of Wollongong will take up the role in May 2021 from John Hopkins University where she has been the Dean of the School of Nursing School since 2013. Patricia is no stranger to Wollongong having gained her BA (1985) and MeD (1993) there. Longstanding Wollongong VC Prof Paul Wellings announced his retirement plans for June 30 2021 earlier this year, after 10 years in the role.
Professor Zlatko Skrbis at the Australian Catholic University will take up the role in January 2021 following the retirement of Prof Greg Craven after 13 years. Slatko joined ACU in 2018 as DVC (Education) and is currently Acting Provost.
VC appointments pending
The four universities with pending appointments include:
The University of Sydney where Dr Michael Spence has been VC since 2008. Michael takes up his appointment as President and Provost of UCL in London in January 2021.
The University of Adelaide following the departure of Prof Peter Rathjen in July. DVC (Research) Prof Mike Brooks is currently acting in the role of VC.
Charles Darwin University following the announcement of Prof Simon Maddocks' retirement from December 2020. Simon has been VC at CDU for seven years and was formerly Director Science Partnerships at the South Australian Research and Development Institute (2003-2014).
Charles Sturt University remains a bit of a mystery after VC Prof Andrew Vann reportedly wrote to staff in May 2020 to inform them that the recruitment process for his successor had started, as his terms ends in December 2021. "This is some way into the future and I can assure you I am fully focused on steering the University through to that point," Prof Vann wrote. Three weeks later, CSU announced Prof Vann was taking a six-month sabbatical which had been agreed to prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Universities where the honeymoon period is over
The honeymoon period is well and truly over for those VCs a year or more into their first term:
Prof Geraldine Mackenzie at the University of Southern Queensland is now in her fourth year. Geraldine was the former DVCR at SCU.
Prof Margaret Shiel at QUT (a former Melbourne Uni Provost) is near the end of her third year.
Prof Rufus Black at The University of Tasmania is also approaching the end of his third year (one of the two former McKinsey consultants);
Prof Duncan Maskell at The University of Melbourne has just completed his second year. Duncan was recruited from the University of Cambridge where he was Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor.
Prof Alex Zelinksy at The University of Newcastle (a former Defence Chief Scientist) is nearing the end of his second year.
Prof Carolyn Evans at Griffith University will complete her second year in January 2021.Prior to joining Griffith, Carolyn was DVC (Graduate and International) and Deputy Provost at Melbourne Uni.
Prof Nick Klomp at Central Queensland University is also only months away from completing his second year. Nick was recruited from Canberra where he was DVCA.
Prof Iain Martin (recruited from Anglia Ruskin University) at Deakin University after almost 18 months in the role.
Prof Brigid Heywood at The University of New England (former UTAS DVCR) after 15 months.
Universities with long-term VCs
Prof Sandra Haring at James Cook University (and former QUT DVC) tops the Australian university tenure list having been at the helm of JCU since January 2007. Sandra's current contract reportedly ends at the end of 2021.
Prof John Dewar at La Trobe University (another former Melbourne Uni Provost) has been the VC for nine years. John is the first VC to release a new Covid-19-influenced Strategic Plan - 2020-2030. John's term was extended for three years to early 2024, in June this year.
Prof S Bruce Dowton at Macquarie University has completed more than eight years as VC. Prof Dowton held a variety of leadership roles at Harvard Medical International and Partners Harvard Medical International between 2007 and 2012, most notably as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Prof David Lloyd at The University of South Australia (from Trinity College, Dublin) has been in his role as VC for almost eight years. David's term as VC was extended to 2022 in 2015.
Prof Barney Glover at Western Sydney University (formerly Charles Darwin University where he was VC) has completed almost seven years and his current contract is until 31 December 2023.
Prof Attila Brungs (former UTS DVCR) has led UTS for more than six years and his second term extends through to 2024 (the other former McKinsey consultant).
Prof Margaret Gardner at Monash University (and former RMIT VC) was appointed in September 2014 and her current term is through to 2024.
Prof Colin Stirling at Flinders University (and former Curtin DVCR) has been VC for almost six years.
Prof Ian Jacobs at The University of New South Wales (recruited from University College London) is approaching six years as VC. Ian's contract was extended in 2018 through to 2025.
Martin Bean at RMIT University is also approaching six years as VC. Martin has previously held the positions of VC of The Open University and General Manager of Microsoft’s Worldwide Education Products Group.
Prof Stephen Chapman (recruited from Heriot-Watt University) has led Edith Cowan University since April 2015. Stephen's contract was extended through to 2025 in 2019.
Prof Brian Schmidt at The Australian National University has been VC since January 2016. ANU's Council reappointed Brian for a second five-year term through to 31 December 2025, in February 2020. One of Australia's most eminent scientists and winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics, Brian spent most of his academic career as an astrophysicist at the ANU Mount Stromlo Observatory and Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics before becoming VC.
Prof Eeva Leinonen at Murdoch University has been VC for more than four years. Eeva was formerly DVCA at Wollongong.
In conclusion
The University of Sydney described the desired candidate to replace Dr Michael Spence as
"an outstanding, inspiring and strategic leader of international repute, with a proven record in complex organisations. She/he will have deep understanding of the global higher education landscape and be able to command the respect of scholars. A compelling communicator, the appointee will also evidence success in engaging with external stakeholders across government, industry, international partners, alumni, donors, and the media. She/he will bring financial and commercial acumen, an appreciation of the rapidly evolving university funding landscape, and deep commitment to diversity, innovation, and excellence."
The role of VC must be challenging at the best of times - let alone during a global pandemic. Good luck to all VCs, whether they be longstanding, recent appointments or about to take up the reins!
Key Questions
Where will the next crop of VCs come from? Will we see more internal promotions in the future or will 'new blood' remain the dominant approach? When will Australian universities achieve gender equity at the VC level? Will the impact of Covid-19 bring forward the retirement plans of some longer-term VCs?
Mike Pepperell is Managing Consultant at CIS and has advised more than a dozen universities over much of the past decade.
Throughout 2020 our team has continued to work with and support academics and professional staff at more than a dozen universities in pursuit of major new revenue sources and industry connections. During this year-like-no-other our university-clients have all demonstrated four common traits - resilience, flexibility, passion and unwavering optimism!
The broader CIS team has advised around 30 universities and a number of major Research Institutes over the past 20 years, helping to raise more than $1B in research and infrastructure funding in the course of their strategy and implementation consulting engagements (and more than $4B when partner cash and in-kind contributions are included).
Industry engagement is a particular sweet spot, with over a decade of CRC-related consulting activity - including support the four successful Round 20 CRC bids and four of the five successful Round 21 bids (securing a total of $342M in Commonwealth Government CRC Program funding)!