University of Canberra

We are the university in, of and from Canberra.

he University of Canberra is a young, dynamic, professionally oriented university with a clear public purpose serving the people and communities of Canberra and the surrounding regions – city to coast, alpine to tablelands. Our location in Australia’s capital city, surrounded by dynamic areas of regional Australia, defines who we are and the unique offerings we take to the world. While our home is Canberra, our reach is global.

We are a young university with fierce ambition. Our continued success in research and education has been internationally recognised, resulting in UC becoming the world’s fastest rising university in the nation and the world (QS, 2019). UC has been named in the top one per cent of universities worldwide, placed in the 193rd position of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020, and is ranked 34 in the world’s top 100 young universities by the 2019 Times Higher Education Young University Rankings.

We are a leading sports institution and have strong ties with elite sporting teams. We proudly own WNBL team the University of Canberra Capitals and our women’s rugby sevens squad competes in the Uni 7s Series. We support W-League team Canberra United and the ACT Brumbies Super Rugby team call our campus home.

Governance at University of Canberra

The University of Canberra is governed by its Council which is established by the University of Canberra Act 1989 (ACT). The powers of Council are established in section 10 of the Act.

Council creates the basis for management excellence by developing the University's mission statement and setting the strategic direction, as well as approving the annual budget. It is responsible for ensuring the systems and processes to direct and control the University's operations are in place and working effectively. In addition, Council fosters a culture which allows the University to deliver outcomes in line with its mission and strategic goals to all stakeholders.

Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM

Chancellor of University of Canberra

Lisa Paul AO PSM became the seventh Chancellor of the University of Canberra on 1 January 2024. Lisa is a prominent policymaker and social justice advocate and advisor.

Lisa led higher education, science, research and innovation policy for the federal government as the longest-standing Secretary of the Federal Department of Education, serving five Prime Ministers and nine Cabinet Ministers between 2004-2016. Lisa started her public service career in the housing commission of the ACT government.

Since leaving government in 2016, Lisa has continued her commitment to higher education through an Honorary position at the Crawford School of the ANU, as an Enterprise Professor at the University of Melbourne School of Government, a Councillor of Bond University, a Director of the Future Battery Industry Cooperative Research Centre and as chair of the Audit Committee of the Australian Academy of Science. Lisa was a director of listed higher education company Navitas, the Melbourne Accelerator Program and she served on an advisory board for Charles Sturt University on regional issues. Lisa was Co-Chair of an Independent Review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Deputy Chair of a Review in the education portfolio to advise targets and reforms for the next national schools funding agreements.

In 2011 Lisa was made an Officer of the Order of Australia and in 2003 awarded a Public Service Medal for leading the Commonwealth’s domestic response to the Bali Bombings. In 2011, she was named federal government leader of the year by Chartered Accountants and has received other awards.

Lisa is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Australian Institute of Management, the Institute of Public Administration Australia, Australian Council of Educational Leaders and the Australia New Zealand School of Government.

The Council

Roles and Responsibilities

The University of Canberra Council:

  • has 15 members

  • is chaired by the Chancellor

  • is advised by its five standing committees

  • meetings normally occur seven times per year. 

The Council’s principal responsibilities include:

  • Strategic direction, budget and business plan (Connected - A Decadal Strategy, 2023 - 2032).

  • Oversight and review of executive and university performance.

  • Management and control of finances.

  • University legislation and policies.

  • Overseeing and monitoring academic activities.

  • Overseeing and monitoring risk management, systems of control and accountability.

  • Overseeing management and control of property and business affairs.

  • Management of the council's own affairs.

  • The Council must in all matters endeavour to advance the interests of the University.

Membership of the Council is as follows:

Official Members

  • Chancellor: Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM

  • Vice-Chancellor: The Hon. Bill Shorten (ex-officio)

  • Chair of Academic Board: Professor Carol Elisa Martinez-Marroquin (ex-officio)

  • Deputy Chancellor: Ms Patricia Kelly PSM

Appointed Members

  • Dr Martin Laverty

  • Ms Alice Tay OAM

  • Ms Anne-Marie Lansdown

  • Mr Medy Hassan OAM

  • Mr Michael Costello AO

Elected Members

  • Academic Staff: Adjunct Professor Kieran Hynes

  • Academic Staff: Professor Benedict Sheehy

  • Professional Staff: Mr Peter Carling

  • Student: Ms Aleksandra Van Humme

  • Student: Ms Simone Chitsinde

Council Membership