Meet our leaders
The Senior Leadership Team provides leadership to and management of the University.
Professor Andrew Deeks
Vice Chancellor and President
Professor Andrew Deeks
Vice Chancellor and President
The Vice Chancellor is the most senior executive position at Murdoch University – serving as both the principal academic officer and chief executive officer for the University.
Professor Deeks joined Murdoch as Vice Chancellor on 28 March 2022.
Professor Don A Klinger
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education)
Professor Don A Klinger
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education)
The DVC (Education) has overall responsibility for delivering the student experience aspirations of Murdoch University. The role has leadership responsibility for the University’s teaching and learning activities, including the academic quality of the University’s courses, and promotes the value of diversity in all its forms in the learning environment. The role also helps build partnerships with other educational institutions in the teaching and learning sphere.
Professor Peter Eastwood
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation)
Professor Peter Eastwood
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation)
The DVC (Research & Innovation) has overall responsibility for the strategic direction and focus of research undertaken within the University. This position is active in developing closer research links and a funding base with both private and public sector users and providers. In addition, the DVC-R&I is responsible for ensuring the promotion of research for the public good and educating the public about the benefits of research and its contribution to society.
Professor Simon McKirdy
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Global Engagement)
Professor Simon McKirdy
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Global Engagement)
The DVC (Global Engagement) has overall responsibility for delivering the local, national, and global engagement aspirations of Murdoch University. This role has leadership responsibility for the University’s internationalisation activities, including international student recruitment, inbound and outbound student and staff mobility, international education partnerships, transnational education activities and international research partnerships. This role builds the University’s strategic partnerships with industry, governments, and the not-for-profit sector.
Chanelle van den Berg
Pro Vice Chancellor (First Nations)
Chanelle van den Berg
Pro Vice Chancellor (First Nations)
The PVC (First Nations) supports the Vice Chancellor in delivering Murdoch University’s ambition to increase the participation and achievement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the University, both as students and staff. The role also promotes cultural inclusivity and the development of a culturally safe working and learning environment. The role supports the development of the School of Indigenous Knowledges and will be responsible for building the university to become a first choice for First Nations peoples.
Martin Brueckner
Pro Vice Chancellor (Sustainability)
Martin Brueckner
Pro Vice Chancellor (Sustainability)
The PVC (Sustainability) supports the Vice Chancellor in the achievement of Murdoch University’s sustainability objectives. The PVC Sustainability is responsible for supporting and encouraging the University in education, teaching, and translational research in sustainability, nurturing mindsets and creating solutions for a better and more sustainable world, a university renowned for its commitment to, and expertise of, sustainability and environment.
Rebecca Bennett
Pro Vice Chancellor (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)
Rebecca Bennett
Pro Vice Chancellor (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)
The PVC (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) supports the Vice Chancellor in the achievement of Murdoch University’s equity, diversity and inclusion objectives and plays a key role in developing and contributing to the strategic direction of the University. The PVC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is responsible for building a welcoming respectful and inclusive culture and a supportive environment that provides culturally safe and equitable opportunities for all members of our community to realise their potential.
Professor Antonia Girardi
Pro Vice Chancellor (College of Business)
Professor Antonia Girardi
Pro Vice Chancellor (College of Business)
The Head of College provides important strategic and operational oversight and support to the Schools within the College in relation to planning and budgeting; financial management; management of the academic portfolio; research support, workforce planning, management, and development; and workload policy and its implementation. The Head of College is the line manager for the Heads of the Schools within the College and any Deputy Heads of College appointed. The Head of College is also a full member of the University senior leadership team.
Professor Jennifer Verduin
Pro Vice Chancellor (College of Environmental & Life Sciences)
Professor Jennifer Verduin
Pro Vice Chancellor (College of Environmental & Life Sciences)
The Head of College provides important strategic and operational oversight and support to the Schools within the College in relation to planning and budgeting; financial management; management of the academic portfolio; research support, workforce planning, management, and development; and workload policy and its implementation. The Head of College is the line manager for the Heads of the Schools within the College and any Deputy Heads of College appointed. The Head of College is also a full member of the University senior leadership team.
Professor Guillermo Campitelli
Pro Vice Chancellor (College of Health & Education)
Professor Guillermo Campitelli
Pro Vice Chancellor (College of Health & Education)
The Head of College provides important strategic and operational oversight and support to the Schools within the College in relation to planning and budgeting; financial management; management of the academic portfolio; research support, workforce planning, management, and development; and workload policy and its implementation. The Head of College is the line manager for the Heads of the Schools within the College and any Deputy Heads of College appointed. The Head of College is also a full member of the University senior leadership team.
Professor Deborah Gare
Pro Vice Chancellor (College of Law, Arts & Social Sciences)
Professor Deborah Gare
Pro Vice Chancellor (College of Law, Arts & Social Sciences)
The Head of College provides important strategic and operational oversight and support to the Schools within the College in relation to planning and budgeting; financial management; management of the academic portfolio; research support, workforce planning, management, and development; and workload policy and its implementation. The Head of College is the line manager for the Heads of the Schools within the College and any Deputy Heads of College appointed. The Head of College is also a full member of the University senior leadership team.
Professor Parisa Bahri
Pro Vice Chancellor (College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)
Professor Parisa Bahri
Pro Vice Chancellor (College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)
The Head of College provides important strategic and operational oversight and support to the Schools within the College in relation to planning and budgeting; financial management; management of the academic portfolio; research support, workforce planning, management, and development; and workload policy and its implementation. The Head of College is the line manager for the Heads of the Schools within the College and any Deputy Heads of College appointed. The Head of College is also a full member of the University senior leadership team.
Tony Pine
Chief Financial Officer
Tony Pine
Chief Financial Officer
The Chief Financial Officer provides strategic leadership for the University’s business and finance functions, as well as for the management of its financial and capital resources. The CFO oversees Budget and Financial Planning, Business Systems and Financial Transactional Services, the Financial Controller’s Office, Procurement Services, and the Treasurer’s Office. Within those units lie critical business functions including, but not limited to, forecasting, financial reporting, accounts receivable and payable, projects accounting, international operations and financial systems.
Sharon Russell
Chief People Officer
Sharon Russell
Chief People Officer
The Chief People Officer works to ensure that the University workforce is aligned with the University strategy with a focus on capability, skills, culture, diversity and driving high performance. This includes developing strategy; the design and delivery of employee initiatives and solutions to improve performance, diversity, inclusion, and equity; uplift organisational capability; develop talent and enable career pathways; enhancement of the cultural and employee experience and implement formal change.
Alex Iles
Chief Experience Officer
Alex Iles
Chief Experience Officer
The Chief Experience Officer (CXO) will lead and support the delivery of inclusive, high quality user experiences across the University, including supporting the student journey and experience, academics in their teaching and research and academic and professional leaders within the institution. The CXO has the responsibility for the delivery of professional services to the University’s students, staff, leaders and partners, ensuring that the various elements of the University’s operations fit together into a cohesive whole through a user-oriented approach.
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