Staff Elections
Elections for staff positions on University Council, Academic Senate and College Boards are conducted by Legal and Governance 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 Legal and Governance 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
At the close of the nomination period, 33 valid nominations were received for the 11 positions available under the following categories:
- College of Human and Social Futures - Level A, B or C - 2 x positions available
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing - Level A, B or C - 2 x positions available
- College of Human and Social Futures - Level D or E - 2 x positions available
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment - Level D or E - 2 x positions available
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing - Level D or E - 1 x position available
- Pathways & Academic Learning Support - Any Level - 1 x position available
- Non-Newcastle Campus Location - Level A, B or C - 1 x position available
Consequently, an optional preferential ballot will be conducted for the positions via electronic voting to determine the successful candidates.
Voting will open on Monday, 6 July 2026 and close at 5:00pm AEST on Monday, 20 July 2026. Eligible staff will receive an email during the voting period containing instructions on how to access the electronic ballot.
College of Human and Social Futures Academic Staff (Level A, B or C) to Academic Senate
The candidates for election to the Academic Senate under Academic Staff, College of Human and Social Futures (Level A, B or C) x 2 available positions (order determined by lot) are:
- Elena Aydos
- David Roy
- Judith Shuqin Zhu
- Kate Ferguson-Patrick
- Justin Ellis
Candidates Statements are available here.
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing Academic Staff (Level A, B or C) to Academic Senate
The candidates for election to the Academic Senate under Academic Staff, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing (Level A, B or C) x 2 available positions (order determined by lot) are:
- Michelle Stubbs
- Hayley Lewthwaite
- Evan Williams
- Nasrin Zamani Javid
- Virginia Stulz
- Marlen Orsina
- Louise Koller-Smith
Candidates Statements are available here.
College of Human and Social Futures Academic Staff (Level D or E) to Academic Senate
The candidates for election to the Academic Senate under Academic Staff, College of Human and Social Futures (Level D or E) x 2 available positions (order determined by lot) are:
- Janet Dzator
- Helena Sit
- Bin Li
- David Shao
- Angela Daly
- Jill Duncan
Candidates Statements are available here.
College of Engineering, Science and Environment Academic Staff (Level D or E) to Academic Senate
The candidates for election to the Academic Senate under Academic Staff, College of Engineering, Science and Environment (Level D or E) x 2 available positions (order determined by lot) are:
- Marc Adam
- Shanyong Wang
- Hannah Power
Candidates Statements are available here.
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing Academic Staff (Level D or E) to Academic Senate
The candidates for election to the Academic Senate under Academic Staff, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing (Level D or E) x 1 available position (order determined by lot) are:
- Lesley MacDonald-Wicks
- Ginger Chu
- Karen Charlton
- Louise Thornton
Candidates Statements are available here.
Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre Academic Staff (Any Level) to Academic Senate
The candidates for election to the Academic Senate under Academic Staff, Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre (Any Level) x 1 available position (order determined by lot) are:
- Joyleen Christensen
- Paul Chojenta
Candidates Statements are available here.
Non-Newcastle Campus Location Academic Staff (Level A, B or C) to Academic Senate
The candidates for election to the Academic Senate under Academic Staff, Non-Newcastle Campus Location (Level A, B or C) x 1 available position (order determined by lot) are:
- Judith Shuqin Zhu
- Marlen Orsina
- Joyleen Christensen
- Nasrin Zamani Javid
Candidates Statements are available here.
Outcome of Election
ELECTION OF TWO STAFF TO THE UNISUPER CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
The academic and non-academic staff of the University were required to elect two representatives (one from each of their respective categories) to be a member of the UniSuper Consultative Committee.
Notice of Result
Following a call for nominations, the following staff members are declared elected:
- Professor Jon Hirst (Academic Staff Member - Elected Unopposed)
- Ms Gianna Herring (Non Academic Staff Member - Elected by Ballot).
Contact
If you have any queries regarding this election, please email elections@newcastle.edu.au
Upcoming Elections
Election of Academic Staff to the College Boards
The election of University of Newcastle academic staff to the College Boards for a two-year term commencing from 1 January 2027, is anticipated to open late July 2026.
Available Positions
Category | Level | Available Positions |
| College of Engineering, Science and Environment | ||
School of Architecture and Built Environment | A, B, C, D or E | 2 x two-year positions |
School of Engineering | A, B, C, D or E | 1 x two-year position |
School of Science | A, B, C, D or E | 1 x two-year position |
School of Computer and Information Sciences | A, B, C, D or E | 1 x two-year position |
| College of Human and Social Futures | ||
School of Education | A, B, C, D or E | 1 x two-year position |
School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences | A, B, C, D or E | 1 x two-year position |
Newcastle Business School | A, B, C, D or E | 1 x two-year position |
School of Law and Justice | A, B, C, D or E | 1 x two-year position |
| College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing | ||
School of Biomedical Science and Pharmacy | A, B, C, D or E | 1 x two-year position |
School of Health Sciences | A, B, C, D or E | 1 x two-year position |
School of Medicine and Public Health | A, B, C, D or E | 1 x two-year position |
School of Nursing and Midwifery | A, B, C, D or E | 1 x two-year position |
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 Governing Body and category you are interested in.
Contact
If you have any queries, please email elections@newcastle.edu.au.
Election of Staff Member to the NUsport Board
The election of a University of Newcastle member of staff to the Newcastle University Sport Board (NUsport) as a Director for a three-year term commencing from 30 October 2026, is anticipated to open early August 2026.
Available Positions
Category | Level | Term |
|---|---|---|
University of Newcastle staff member | All staff | 1 x 3 year term |
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 Governing Body and category 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 .
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.