By Alex Crowe
The University of Melbourne has named Professor Emma Johnston as its vice chancellor, the first woman in the university’s history to fill the role.
Johnston, who will become the university’s 21st vice chancellor, is an esteemed scientist and is currently the deputy vice chancellor of research at the University of Sydney.
Professor Emma Johnston has been announced as the 21st vice chancellor of the University of Melbourne. Credit: Eddie Jim
She will replace outgoing University of Melbourne vice chancellor Duncan Maskell, who announced in April that he would step down early next year.
Before Johnston’s senior role at the University of Sydney, the marine scientist spent more than 20 years at the University of NSW, where she was the pro vice-chancellor of research and the dean of science.
Johnston has specialised in the ecological impacts of human activities in marine ecosystems in her research. She is a chief author of the current State of Environment Report for Australia and has authored 185 peer-reviewed journal articles.
Her position at the University of Melbourne will start in February 2025, when Maskell finishes up.
Maskell, who was appointed to the role in 2018, faced a turbulent period at the University of Melbourne that was marred by COVID-19, pro-Palestinian protests and a debate over international student caps.
The university is being investigated by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner for its use of CCTV footage to identify students involved in protests in May.
International student caps announced earlier this month will reduce the university’s overseas intake from 10,000 students in 2023 to 9300 in 2025, a 7 per cent reduction.
The Group of Eight institution has imposed a hiring freeze for 2025, citing a projected $85 million loss in tuition fees as a result of the federal government’s student caps.
Professor Emma Johnston with University of Melbourne chancellor Jane Hansen. Credit: Peter Casamento
Maskell announced in April he was stepping down from the role. He told the Financial Review it was a “bloody tough decision” but he was looking at his options due to his age.
“I’ll be 63 in May and I don’t know how much longer I will live. I just want a bit more freedom to go and do things I want to do,” he said.
In 2022, Johnston was elected a fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. She was made an officer of the Order of Australia in 2018 for her service to higher education, particularly to marine ecology, ecotoxicology and research institutes.
Returning to Victoria for her new role, Johnston graduated from University High School in Parkville and obtained a bachelor of science and a doctorate at the University of Melbourne.
“As a sixth generation Melburnian, raised in Williamstown, I am excited to be coming home for the next chapter of an academic career that in many ways spawned from my childhood curiosity in the wonders of Port Phillip Bay,” she said.
A “proud alum”, Johnston said she was looking forward to building on the work of Maskell and his leadership team.
“I see the university as a foundation stone for the city, the state and the nation,” she said.
The University of Melbourne paid its vice chancellor more than any other Australian university in 2023, with Maskell receiving a salary just short of $1.5 million.
The National Tertiary Education Union has advocated for university executive salaries to be capped about $400,000 a year, which is about double what a senior professor gets paid.
In 2016, Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist Brian Schmidt negotiated his salary as ANU vice chancellor down by $300,000 to $617,500.
Earlier this year, Western Sydney University vice chancellor Professor George Williams also negotiated down his starting salary.
University of Sydney vice chancellor Professor Mark Scott announced Johnston’s departure to staff on Monday.
Scott said details related to her departure, including a date for her to finish up, were still being finalised.
He thanked Johnston for her contribution to the University of Sydney, pointing out that the university had placed 18th globally and second in Australia in QS World University Rankings, during her time.
“I am delighted for Emma as she embarks on this exciting new endeavour and look forward to working with her in her new capacity as vice chancellor of a fellow Group of Eight university,” Scott said.
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