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.
Notice of Election
The College Boards are to elect representatives from among their elected academic staff members to the Academic Senate for a term of office of up to two years (corresponding with their College Board term-end) and commencing from 1 January 2027.
Nominations for the positions are now open and will close 5:00pm AEST, Wednesday 14 October 2026.
If required, an electronic ballot will be conducted.
The following positions are available:
| College | Position |
|---|---|
| College of Engineering, Science and Environment | 1 x position available – with the term of office to align with the elected individual’s term on the College Board |
| College | Positions |
|---|---|
| College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing | 2 x positions available – with the term of office to align with the elected individual’s term on the College Board |
| College | Positions |
|---|---|
| College of Human and Social Futures | 2 x position available – with the term of office to align with the elected individual’s term on the College Board |
Eligibility
All elected academic staff members of each College Board, whose term of office extends beyond 1 January 2027, are eligible to nominate for this election.
How to nominate
Nominations must be submitted on the approved Nomination Form.
You can include a statement (150 words or fewer) to support your nomination, together with a passport size photograph. This will be distributed to voters in the event there is more than one eligible nomination received for the position available and an electronic ballot is held. The University Secretary reserves the right to edit statements to ensure word limit requirements are met
Completed nominations can be submitted by email to elections@newcastle.edu.au by 5:00pm AEST, Wednesday 14 October 2026.
Contact
If you have any queries regarding this election, please email elections@newcastle.edu.au.
Notice of Ballot
Notice of Ballot - Election of NUsport Board Staff Director
At the close of the nomination period, three valid nominations were received for the one available position: 1 x 3 year position. Consequently, an optional preferential ballot will be conducted for the position by electronic ballot.
The candidates in this election have been drawn at random and will be placed on both the candidate statements and the electronic ballot in the below order:
- Dr Ray Nickson
- Ms Jemma Bowman
- Dr Colin Sanctuary
In accordance with the NUsport Constitution, all staff of the University are eligible to vote in this election. Staff will receive an email containing instructions on how to access the electronic ballot during the voting period. To view the Candidate Statements for this election, click here.
For enquiries regarding the election, please contact elections@newcastle.edu.au.
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
College of Engineering, Science and Environment (Level A, B or C)
At the close of the nomination period, 1 valid nomination was received for the 1 available position in the category of College of Engineering, Science and Environment (Level A, B or C). Consequently, it was determined that the following nominee was elected unopposed:
- Dr Ziao Zhang
Non-Newcastle Campus Location (Level D or E)
At the close of the nomination period, 1 valid nomination was received for the 1 available position in the category of Academic Staff (Level D or E) from a Non-Newcastle Campus Location. Consequently, it was determined that the following nominee was elected unopposed:
- Professor Bill Leggat
Outcome of Elections
Academic Staff to Academic Senate
Elected By Ballot
College of Human and Social Futures (Level A, B or C) x 2
At the close of the nomination period, 5 valid nominations were received for the 2 available positions 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 candidates were:
- Dr Elena Aydos; and
- Dr Kate Ferguson-Patrick.
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing (Level A, B or C) x 2
At the close of the nomination period, 7 valid nominations were received for the 2 available positions in the category of College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing (Level A, B or C). Consequently, an electronic, optional, preferential ballot was conducted.
The successful candidates were:
- Dr Hayley Lewthwaite; and
- Dr Evan Williams.
College of Human and Social Futures (Level D or E) x 2
At the close of the nomination period, 6 valid nominations were received for the 2 available positions in the category of College of Human and Social Futures (Level D or E). Consequently, an electronic, optional, preferential ballot was conducted.
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
At the close of the nomination period, 3 valid nominations were received for the 2 available positions in the category of College of Engineering, Science and Environment (Level D or E). Consequently, an electronic, optional, preferential ballot was conducted.
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
At the close of the nomination period, 4 valid nominations were received for the 1 available position in the category of College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing (Level D or E). Consequently, an electronic, optional, preferential ballot was conducted.
The successful candidate was:
- Professor Lesley MacDonald-Wicks
Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre (Level A, B, C, D or E) x 1
At the close of the nomination period, 2 valid nominations were received for the 1 available position in the category of Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre (Level A, B, C, D or E). Consequently, an electronic, optional, preferential ballot was conducted.
The successful candidate was:
- Mr Paul Chojenta
Non-Newcastle Campus Location (Level A, B or C) x 1
At the close of the nomination period, 4 valid nominations were received for the 1 available position in the category of Academic Staff (Level A, B, or C) from Non-Newcastle Campus Location. Consequently, an electronic, optional, preferential ballot was conducted.
The successful candidate was:
- Dr Joyleen Christensen
Outcome of Election - Academic Staff to College Boards
CHMW College Boards
Notice of Result
| School | Candidate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy | A/Professor Mitch Smith | Elected by Ballot |
| School of Nursing and Midwifery | Dr Nicole Hainsworth | Elected by Ballot |
| School of Medicine and Public Health | Dr Louise Koller-Smith | Elected Unopposed |
| School of Health Sciences | Dr Catherine Johnston | Elected Unopposed |
Outcome of Election - Academic Staff to College Boards
CHSF College Board
Notice of Result
| School | Candidate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Newcastle Business School | Dr Judith Zhu | Elected by Ballot |
| School of Law and Justice | Dr Yucong Wang | Elected by Ballot |
| School of Education | Dr Erika Spray | Elected Unopposed |
Outcome of Election - Academic Staff to College Boards
CESE College Board
Notice of Result
| School | Candidate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| School of Architecture and Built Environment | Dr Josephine Vaughan | Elected Unopposed |
| School of Computer and Information Science | A/Professor Yuqing Lin | Elected 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
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.