Globally recognised groundwater scientist joins University of Newcastle as Pro Vice-Chancellor
Professor Craig T. Simmons has been appointed to the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor for the University of Newcastle’s prestigious College of Engineering, Science and Environment.
Professor Simmons is currently the Executive Director, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences at the Australian Research Council. Prior to this, he was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Research Projects) at Flinders University.
Announcing the executive appointment, University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky (AO) said,” I am delighted that we have been able to secure such a high calibre candidate to this role to lead this high-performing College – a team with an international reputation for excellence in teaching and more than 95% of their research ‘at or above’ world standard.”
Professor Simmons is an engineer and a scientist. He holds a PhD in Science: Hydrogeology from Flinders University/CSIRO, a Bachelor of Science from University of Adelaide and a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Adelaide.
He is a leading groundwater scientist and has been recognised for major contributions to science leadership, education, and policy reform working across the public and private sectors.
Professor Simmons is the Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor of Hydrogeology, Schultz Chair in the Environment at Flinders University and Foundation Director of the ARC National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (AAS), the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) and the American Geophysical Union (AGU). He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Australian Award for University (AAUT) Teaching.
In the Pro-Vice Chancellor role, Professor Simmons will provide executive leadership to the Schools of Architecture and Built Environment; Engineering; Environmental and Life Sciences; Information and Physical Sciences; and Psychological Sciences. He will report to the Vice-Chancellor and be a member of the University’s Executive Team.
“Our engineering, science and environment academics are globally recognised, and we know their work will be critical to solving some of our most perplexing challenges – everything from climate change to cybersecurity to regional transformation.
“Having a global expert in Professor Simmons to provide strategic leadership to this team will offer exciting opportunity and possibilities for us to make a positive impact,” Professor Zelinsky said.
“I am excited to be joining the University of Newcastle and look forward to working with colleagues on our teaching and research. There are enormous opportunities. Continuing to work closely with communities in the regions is particularly interesting and important to realise future possibilities together,” Professor Simmons said.
Professor Simmons will relocate from Adelaide to Newcastle to take up the role on 21 November and will be based at the University of Newcastle’s Callaghan campus.
The position of Pro Vice-Chancellor was made vacant when incumbent Professor Lee Smith took up the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Griffith University in February this year.
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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.