University of Wollongong vice-chancellor Patricia Davidson steps down

University of Wollongong vice-chancellor Patricia Davidson has made the surprise decision to leave after only three years in the job.

University of Wollongong chancellor Michael Still said the decision of vice-chancellor Patricia Davidson to step down was the move of a “highly responsible” CEO.

University of Wollongong vice-chancellor Patricia Davidson has made the surprise decision to step down after only three years in the role, saying that it was time for new leadership at the institution.

She told university staff on Friday that it was “the right time to pass the baton” to allow a new leader to implement the university’s next strategic plan.

Chancellor Michael Still, who leads the university council that will appoint Professor Davidson’s successor, said the university was expecting major impacts from the Albanese government’s Universities Accord reforms and from international student visa issues.

“These will require deep strategic planning which will take some time,” Mr Still said.

He said Professor Davidson had always intended to serve for only one five-year term and would not be able to remain in charge for the next 5-7 years which was needed to bed down changes.

Mr Still said Professor Davidson would step down as vice-chancellor at the end of June this year and described the move as the decision of a “highly responsible” CEO.

“A good CEO knows you can’t do all that work and hand over without disruption,” he said.

In a statement Professor Davidson said: “With a new strategic plan being developed and our 50th anniversary just around the corner, now is the right time to pass the baton to the university’s sixth vice-chancellor and president.”

A university statement said: “After being appointed amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Professor Davidson has guided the university through arguably the most tumultuous period in its history, financially and tactically, and now is the right time for new leadership as we embrace the recommendations of the accord.”

Professor Davidson was the first Wollongong vice-chancellor who was a graduate of the university, where she studied for a bachelor of arts and a master of education after completing training in nursing.

She is a highly regarded researcher in nursing, cardiovascular medicine and haematology and was previously a professor at the University of Technology Sydney. Prior to being appointed to lead the University of Wollongong she was dean of the School of Nursing at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in the US.

Looking back on her vice-chancellorship Professor Davidson said she was “optimistic about the future of our research capabilities with so many talented and bright minds calling UOW home”.

“I am so excited about our increasing research output, philanthropic income, and rise in rankings not just for globally recognised research but teaching,” she said.

“I am excited to have more time to continue my research in the care of people living with chronic and complex conditions and advocacy for global health.”