Staff Elections

Elections are an important part of the university's governance. They provide opportunities for staff and students to contribute to decision making processes and help shape the future of the University.

Elections for staff and student positions on the University Council, Academic Senate, and College Boards are conducted by Legal and Governance Services, with the University Secretary acting as the Returning Officer.

Please note Other bodies throughout the University conduct their own elections for positions on their Boards and Committees. This webpage only covers elections managed by Legal and Governance Services.

Notice of Election

Notice of Ballot

Notice of Ballot

CESE College Board Representative to Academic Senate

Nominations were called to elect one College of Engineering, Science and Environment Board Representative to Academic Senate for a term of office corresponding with their College Board term-end, and commencing from the 1 January 2027.

At the close of the nomination period, two valid nominations were received for the one available position. Consequently, an optional preferential ballot will be conducted via electronic voting to determine the successful candidate.

The candidates for election (order determined by lot) are:

  • Professor Shanyong Wang
  • Associate Professor Yuqing Lin

Candidates Statements are available here.

Voting will open on Friday 23rd October and close at 5:00pm AEST on Friday, 6th November. Eligible staff will receive notification during the voting period containing instructions on how to access the electronic ballot.

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

Outcome of Election

Academic Staff to the University Council

Notice of Result

The academic staff of the University were required to elect two representatives to the University Council.

Following an electronic ballot, the following staff members are declared elected:

  • Dr Tim Connor
  • Professor Paul Dastoor

Outcome of Election

Non-Academic Staff to University Council

Notice of Result

The non-academic staff of the university were to elect one representative to the University council.

Following an electronic ballot, the following staff member is declared elected:

  • Mrs Wendy Taggart

Contact

If you have any queries regarding this election, please email elections@newcastle.edu.au

Outcome of Elections

Academic Staff to Academic Senate

Overview

Nominations were called to elect 13 academic staff members for 11 available positions on Academic Senate for a term of office of two years commencing 1 January 2027.

  • 2 members were elected unopposed; and
  • 11 members were elected by ballot.

Outcome of Elections

Academic Staff to Academic Senate

Elected Unopposed

The following staff members have been declared elected unopposed:

College of Engineering, Science and Environment (Level A, B or C)
  • Dr Ziao Zhang
Non-Newcastle Campus Location (Level D or E)
  • Professor Bill Leggat

Outcome of Elections

Academic Staff to Academic Senate

Elected By Ballot

At the close of the nomination period, more valid nominations were received for positions available under the following categories. Consequently, electronic optional preferential ballots were conducted.

The following staff members have been declared elected by ballot:

College of Human and Social Futures (Level A, B or C) x 2

The successful candidates were:

  • Dr Elena Aydos; and
  • Dr Kate Ferguson-Patrick.
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing (Level A, B or C) x 2

The successful candidates were:

  • Dr Hayley Lewthwaite; and
  • Dr Evan Williams.
College of Human and Social Futures (Level D or E) x 2

The successful candidates were:

  • Associate Professor Bin Li; and
  • Associate Professor Janet Dzator.
College of Engineering, Science and Environment (Level D or E) x 2

The successful candidates were:

  • Associate Professor Marc Adam; and
  • Associate Professor Hannah Power.
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing (Level D or E) x 1

The successful candidate was:

  • Professor Lesley MacDonald-Wicks
Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre (Level A, B, C, D or E) x 1

The successful candidate was:

  • Mr Paul Chojenta
Non-Newcastle Campus Location (Level A, B or C) x 1

The successful candidate was:

  • Dr Joyleen Christensen

Outcome of Election

NUsport Board Staff Director

Notice of Result

The academic and non-academic staff of the University were required to elect a staff member to be a Director of the NUsport Board for a three-year term of office.

Following an electronic ballot, the following staff member is declared elected:

  • Ms Jemma Bowman

Contact

If you have any queries regarding this election, please email elections@newcastle.edu.au

Outcome of Election

Academic Staff to College Boards

Overview

Nominations were called to elect 11 academic staff members between the three College Boards for a term of office of two years commencing 1 January 2027.

  • 5 members were elected unopposed; and
  • 4 members were elected by ballot.

Outcome of Election

Academic Staff to CHMW College Boards

Notice of Result
SchoolCandidateStatus
School of Biomedical Sciences and PharmacyA/Professor Mitch SmithElected by Ballot
School of Nursing and MidwiferyDr Nicole HainsworthElected by Ballot
School of Medicine and Public HealthDr Louise Koller-SmithElected Unopposed
School of Health SciencesDr Catherine JohnstonElected Unopposed

Outcome of Election

Academic Staff to CHSF College Board

Notice of Result
SchoolCandidateStatus
Newcastle Business SchoolDr Judith ZhuElected by Ballot
School of Law and JusticeDr Yucong WangElected by Ballot
School of EducationDr Erika SprayElected Unopposed

Outcome of Election

Academic Staff to CESE College Board

Notice of Result
SchoolCandidateStatus
School of Architecture and Built EnvironmentDr Josephine VaughanElected Unopposed
School of Computer and Information ScienceA/Professor Yuqing LinElected Unopposed

Upcoming Elections

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