Executive Dean’s Message - May 2021
Dear colleagues,
Cooler mornings and beautiful days signal that Brisbane’s ‘winter’ is on its way, and also that we are approaching the end of Semester 1. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the heroic effort involved in teaching this semester. Many of you have shared stories of the challenges, especially relating to dual mode delivery. This is being heard by Faculty leaders and the University Senior Executive, and planning is in play to try and mitigate key issues as soon as possible.
I hope you have taken the opportunity to contribute to the UQ Strategy Jam over the past week. It has been wonderful to hear from so many staff on so many topics, and great that these views will be considered in determining the future of UQ, through the development of our next Strategic Plan. Please note that all sessions have been recorded and that these, along with staff comments and the ongoing opportunity to contribute to the conversation, can be found on the website.
Huge congratulations to Cath Lovelock (BIOL) for being elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Sciences! A highly prestigious and well-deserved accolade!
And to Craig Franklin (BIOL) for being appointed as the next President of the UQ Academic Board! This is a key leadership role in the university that, amongst many roles, drives and enhances our high academic standards, ensures policies support UQ’s academic mission and makes sure that our governing body (the UQ Senate) are advised on academic matters.
Congratulations also to many researchers across the Faculty for their funding successes and impressive research outcomes, see here and here for some examples.
Other highlights for me this month include the opportunity to meet with staff who are keen to be considered for promotion to Professor. This year is no different, with an array of amazing people coming to say hello and to share their great achievements and visions for the future! It is not long until we will commence the process for promotion to level C and D and I am equally looking forward to this.
We are approaching the end of a very busy time reviewing and ranking applications for RSP funding and GCI support. We were overwhelmed with fabulous applications for research support and fellowships and look forward to hearing the outcomes soon.
I am also looking forward to seeing many of you at two important Faculty events over the next few weeks. Firstly our Faculty Board Meeting on Friday 4 June at 9am, and secondly our Teaching and Learning Forum on 16 June (more details to come).
Kind regards,
Professor Melissa Brown
Executive Dean - Faculty of Science