Charles Darwin University
A truly unique institution.
With our home and our heart in the Northern Territory, we embrace the inclusive, resilient, and courageous spirit of the NT in our campuses and delivery sites. Our footprint is diverse - from the capital cities of Darwin, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney to the regional hubs of Alice Springs, Palmerston and Katherine and our remote locations in Jabiru, Tennant Creek and Yulara, and on Country – in community, with the community. The Northern Territory spans approximately one-sixth of Australia’s landmass but is home to just one per cent of the population, of whom 30 per cent are First Nations Peoples. Our location puts us in an important and enviable position to contribute to the future prosperity of Northern Australia and in the Asia Pacific through our innovative and impactful training, education, and research.
CDU believes in the transformative power of training, education and research to change people’s lives for the better. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that our training, education and research are both high quality and delivered by outstanding educators and researchers and accessible and meaningful. What we do matters to our communities. We are a deeply connected university, working in partnership and collaboration with First Nations peoples, our communities and industries, government, and alumni to address the needs of the Northern Territory and regional, rural, and remote people nationally and globally. We are committed to contributing to and expanding the social, economic and environmental sustainability of the NT and Northern Australia and to exporting our expertise nationally and globally.
Governance
Charles Darwin University is established under the Charles Darwin University Act 2003.
The Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech Attestation was approved by the University Council on 26-November 2024.
The Chancellor
The Hon. Trevor Riley AO KC
Chancellor of CDU
The Honourable Trevor Riley AO KC is the fifth Chancellor of CDU.
The Chancellor leads the CDU Council, the University’s principal governing body. It is an honorary position that also has a key role in supporting the Vice-Chancellor, and is significant in many university ceremonies.
Mr Riley is a respected Territorian, formerly serving as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory from 2010 until he retired in 2016.
He was appointed as Queen's Counsel in 1989, sworn in as a judge in 1999 and was the president of the Northern Territory Bar Association between 1993 and 1997.
Mr Riley has had an ongoing connection with CDU, starting in 1991 when he was a part-time lecturer in Civil Procedure, continuing through to his appointment as a University Professorial Fellow with the School of Law in 2016.
Mr Riley has been Chair of various organisations, including Menzies School of Health Research, Northern Territory Parole Board 2005 to 2010, Judicial Appointments Panel, Commission of Inquiry – Alcohol Policies and Legislation Review of the Northern Territory Government, Northern Territory Electoral Redistribution Committee, Brown’s Mart Community Arts, AFL Northern Territory Appeals Board, and former long-term Board member of St John Ambulance.
In 2021, he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his distinguished service to the judiciary, the law and the community.
Term: 1 July 2025 - 1 July 2028
Governing body
University Council
The Council, comprising 15 members, is the principal governing body of the University. It is led by the Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor.
The Council is responsible for the governance of the University, acts in its best interest, drives performance through strategy and stewardship, provides overall strategic guidance, and oversees senior management in carrying out that strategic direction.
Procedures for the appointment and election of members are prescribed under the Charles Darwin University Election of Members of Council By-laws 2009 (PDF, 45.06 KB)
Membership
Official Members
Chancellor: The Hon. Trevor Riley AO KC (1 July 2028)
Vice-Chancellor: Professor Scott Bowman AO (Ex-Officio)
Chair of Academic Board: Professor Louise King (Ex-Officio, 31 December 2026)
Members appointed by the NT Administrator
Deputy Chancellor: Mr Ken Davies PSM (30 July 2028)
Mr Dick Guit OAM (27 June 2026)
Mr Craig Graham (30 July 2026)
Mr Mark Munnich (26 February 2027)
Emeritus Professor Charles Webb (1 May 2028)
Dr Ruth Schubert (1 May 2028)
Ms Susan Bowden (30 July 2028)
VACANT
Members elected by the university community
Academic Staff (HE): Associate Professor Jon Mason (31 December 2026)
Academic Staff (VET): Mr Raymond Simpson (31 December 2026)
Students (Postgraduate): Mr Rodney Peake (31 December 2025)
Students (Undergraduate): Mr Manoj Thapa (31 December 2025)