Staff Elections
Elections for staff positions on University Council, Academic Senate and College Boards are conducted by Governance and Assurance Services with the University Secretary being the Returning Officer.
Other bodies throughout the University conduct their own elections for positions on their Boards and Committees. This webpage only deals with the elections undertaken by Governance and Assurance Services.
The University has a range of opportunities for staff to become involved in Committees that contribute to the teaching, learning and the business of the University. Committee members get to meet an influential network of people, learn new skills, develop their professional skills and effect change at the University.
Notice of Election
Notice of Ballot
Outcome of Election
ELECTION OF COLLEGE BOARD REPRESENTATIVES TO THE ACADEMIC SENATE OUTCOME
The College Boards were to elect four College Board representatives to the Academic Senate for a term of up to two years (contingent on continued College Board membership), commencing from 1 January 2026.
College Board - Engineering, Science and Environment
At the close of the nominations period, one valid nomination was received for the one available position. Consequently, the following candidate was elected unopposed:
- Mark Wallis
College Board - Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
At the close of the nominations period, no valid nominations were received for the two available positions. Consequently, the positions will now be filled by appointment.
College Board - Human and Social Futures
At the close of the nominations period, two valid nominations were received for the one available position. Consequently, an optional-preferred, electronic ballot was held and the following candidate was successfully elected:
- Justin Ellis
Contact
If you have any queries regarding this election, please email elections@newcastle.edu.au
OUTCOME OF ELECTION – NOTICE OF ELECTION RESULTS – Staff to Academic Senate
Nominations were called to elect university staff members for 9 available positions on Academic Senate for a term of office of two years commencing 1 January 2026.
College of Engineering, Science and Environment (Level A, B or C) x 2
At the close of the nomination period, four valid nominations were received for the two available positions in the category of College of Engineering, Science and Environment (Level A, B or C). Consequently, an electronic, optional, preferential ballot was conducted.
The successful candidates were:
- Maria Cano Dominguez; and
- Dr Joseph Pegler
College of Engineering, Science and Environment (Level D or E) x 1
At the close of the nomination period, two valid nominations were received for the one available position in the category of College of Engineering, Science and Environment (Level D or E). Consequently, an electronic, optional, preferential ballot was conducted.
The successful candidate was:
- A/Professor Geoffry De Iuliis
College of Human and Social Futures (Level A, B or C) x 1
At the close of the nomination period, seven valid nominations were received for the one available position in the category of College of Human and Social Futures (Level A, B or C). Consequently, an electronic, optional, preferential ballot was conducted.
The successful candidate was:
- Dr Tim Connor
College of Human and Social Futures (Level D or E) x 1
At the close of the nomination period, two valid nominations were received for the one available position in the category of College of Human and Social Futures (Level D or E). Consequently, an electronic, optional, preferential ballot was conducted.
The successful candidate was:
- A/Professor Nancy Cushing
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing (Level A, B or C) x 1
At the close of the nomination period, one valid nomination was received for the one available position in the category of College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing (Level A, B or C). Consequently, it was determined that the nominee was elected unopposed.
The successful candidate was:
- Dr Shep Chidarikire
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing (Level D or E) x 2
At the close of the nomination period, two valid nominations were received for the two available positions in the category of College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing (Level D or E). Consequently, it was determined that the nominees were elected unopposed.
The successful candidates were:
- Professor Allison Cummins
- Associate Professor Adam Collison
Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre (Level A, B, C, D or E) x 1
At the close of the nomination period, one valid nomination was received for the one available position in the category of Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre (Level A, B, C, D or E). Consequently, it was determined that the nominees were elected unopposed.
The successful candidate was:
- Dr Michelle Mansfield
QUESTIONS?
If you have any queries regarding this election, please email elections@newcastle.edu.au
ELECTION OF ACADEMIC STAFF TO THE COLLEGE BOARDS OUTCOME
Each School was to elect one academic staff member to their College Board for a two-year term of office, commencing from 1 January 2026.
Notice of Result
At the close of the nomination period, six academic staff members were elected unopposed. Four ballots were held and four academic staff members were declared elected. A full overview of the College Board election results can be found here.
College Board - Engineering, Science and Environment
- No valid nominations received - (School of Architecture and Built Environment)
- Professor Shanyong Wang - Elected unopposed (School of Engineering)
- Dr Sara Polanco - Elected unopposed (School of Environmental and Life Sciences)
- Dr Mark Wallis - Elected unopposed (School of Information and Physical Sciences)
- Dr Emily Freeman - Elected unopposed (School of Psychological Sciences)
College Board - Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
- Dr Melissa Tadros - Elected candidate by Ballot (School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy)
- Nil nominations received - (School of Health Sciences)
- Professor Amanda Dawson - Elected unopposed (School of Medicine and Public Health)
- A/Professor Michelle Gray - Elected candidate by Ballot (School of School of Nursing and Midwifery)
College Board - Human and Social Futures
- Dr Helena Sit - Elected unopposed (School of Education)
- Nil nominations received - (School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences)
- Dr Ami-Lee Kelly - Elected candidate by Ballot (Newcastle Business School)
- A/Professor Neil Foster - Elected candidate by Ballot (Newcastle School of Law and Justice)
Contact
If you have any queries regarding this election, please email elections@newcastle.edu.au
Upcoming Elections
Election of Staff to the University Council
The election of University of Newcastle staff to the University Council for a two-year term commencing from 31 August 2026, is anticipated to commence in early 2026.
Positions on Council
Category | Qualification | Elected from |
|---|---|---|
2 academic staff | Level A, B, C, D or E | Any college, division or unit |
1 non-academic staff | Non-academic | Any college, division or unit |
Register Your Interest
Don't want to wait? Have your name listed any time on the Register of Intending Members by sending an email to elections@newcastle.edu.au, providing your contact details and including details of the Committee you are interested in.
Contact
If you have any queries, please email elections@newcastle.edu.au.
Questions?
Do you have questions relating to elections? You can find more resources and information on the elections webpage .
- Staff Elections - Frequently Asked Questions
- Fact Sheet - Staff positions of the University of Newcastle Council
- Electioneering Guidelines for candidates
Contact
For further enquiries, contact the Deputy Returning Officer for all election questions on elections@newcastle.edu.au
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.