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Recent appointments: Inaugural Deans, Schools of Science and Psychology

WSU is searching for Inaugural Deans of the Schools of Psychology & Science

Congratulations to

  • Professor Eileen McLaughlin, appointed inaugural Dean of School of Science; and
  • Professor Tanya Meade, inaugural Dean of School of Psychology.

The Deans lead their School’s engagement with community, government, industry and professional bodies and with local and international partners.

About Professor Eileen McLaughlin

Professor McLaughlin is a reproductive and developmental biologist. Her research is multi-disciplinary, with applications ranging from male and female infertility, the development of biosecurity agents, and novel contraceptives for use in domesticated, feral and exotic animals.

She brings extensive leadership experience to the role, having served as Executive Dean, Science and Technology at University of Canberra and Director of the School of Biological Sciences at University of Auckland. Prior to that, she held leadership roles at the University of Newcastle.

Professor McLaughlin commenced her career at the University of Bristol, and has worked in government and the health sector.

A feature of her career has been the engagement of sciences to solving problems and realising opportunities faced by local community and industry, through applied research and education.

Professor McLaughlin says she is delighted to join the new School of Science at the University.

“I look forward to the School playing a major role in building a sustainable future Greater Western Sydney, one of the fastest-growing economies in Australia.”

Professor McLaughlin will commence her role on 4 November 2019, and will be based at the Hawkesbury campus.

About Professor Tanya Meade

Professor Meade specialises in the management of patients whose conditions involve both physical and psychological symptoms.

The appointment of Professor Meade as Dean follows on from her serving in several academic leadership roles in education and research at the University, including Interim Dean, Planning, and previously as Head of Discipline, Psychology and Director, Clinical and Health Psychology Research Initiative.

A committed educator and researcher, Professor Meade has published 70 papers and book chapters, and her contribution to teaching and curriculum has been recognised in teaching awards. She is also an honorary professor at Westmead Hospital.

Professor Meade maintains collaborative partnerships across universities, industry and community at national and international levels, and her work has received support in competitive grants from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and BeyondBlue.

She received her PhD in 2001 from the University of Sydney in the area of clinical health psychology.

Professor Meade says she is delighted to be leading the new School.

“I aspire for the School of Psychology to be a leading voice on the issues that matter in Western Sydney and beyond. I look forward to growing the School’s reach and relevance by integrating our work in the laboratory, the classroom, and the clinic in novel and innovative ways,” she said.

Professor Meade will commence her role on 1 January 2020, and will be based at the Parramatta South campus.

About the University

Western Sydney University is one of Australia’s largest and most dynamic universities, with a geographic footprint across one of the nation’s most important economic and culturally diverse metropolitan regions. International linkages reflect and draw on this cultural diversity. The University is committed as an anchor institution and a leading advocate and champion for Greater Western Sydney.

About the School of Psychology

The School of Psychology is within the Health and Medicine Cluster. In the latest Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessment, the University’s assessed research in psychology was rated at above world standard. There are close ties between the School and the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour & Development, National Institute of Complementary Medicine and the Translational Health Research Institute.

About the School of Science

The School of Science is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Cluster. In the latest ERA exercise, the University’s assessed research in sciences was rated at world standard or higher. There are close ties between the School and the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment.

For more about these appointments

See the University announcement here

For other opportunities see our postings here.