University of New England
UNE’s 10-year strategic plan, Future Fit, reasserts its founding goal to be a leading regional university and captures that legacy in a modern context.
The University of New England is a regional university with its primary campus located in Armidale on the Northern Tablelands of NSW. Established as an independent organisation in February 1954 under the stewardship of Sir Earle Page as Chancellor and Sir Robert Madgwick as Vice-Chancellor, the University of New England was the first Australian University established outside of a capital city.
Governance at
University of New England
The University of New England is a body corporate, established by the University of New England Act 1993 (NSW). Governance at UNE is carried out by the Council, and the Academic Board in alignment with the UNE Act, and it’s associated University of New England By-Law 2005. The Vice-Chancellor of UNE is appointed as the University CEO, and is also the university’s principal academic officer.
Dr Sarah Pearson
Chancellor of University of New England
Dr Sarah Pearson (DPHIL (OXON), GAICD, FTSE) has a diverse background in Australia and internationally in research, innovation and entrepreneurship, investment, economic development and industrial strategy. She has previously served in leadership roles across higher education, industry and government sectors. These include Ministerial appointment to the Australian National University Council, Chief Scientist and Chief Innovation Officer at the Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Chief Executive Officer at ANU Enterprise and Global Head of Open Innovation at Cadbury. She holds a PhD from Oxford University in Particle Physics.
Sarah has strong connections with UNE, Armidale and the New England region through her family and her work as a Physics academic at UNE from 2000 to 2006, during which time she lived in Armidale with her family. At UNE, her passion for “leaving no one behind” led her to drive regional engagement, encouraging young people to see science and university study as a great option for them. She founded ‘Science in the Bush’ and the Armidale branch of the ‘Science and Engineering Challenge’, drawing hundreds of young people to the UNE campus, as well as visiting schools in the region. She continues to be committed to encouraging young women into science and leadership.
Sarah currently serves on the Board of the Commonwealth Treasury’s Foreign Investment Review Board, the Investment Committee at Main Sequence Ventures and a number of commercial and not-for-profit Boards. She has a strong commitment to Australia’s economic and social future, and her advice has led to long lasting impact regionally, nationally and internationally.
As Chancellor, Dr Pearson brings to the University a wealth of experience, connectivity and ambition for UNE. Her vision and leadership will be instrumental in guiding the University Council and the broader UNE community in advancing our strategy in 2025 and beyond.
The University Council
The overriding function of the University of New England Council is to provide strategic leadership to the University. Council should have regard for the community it represents and ensure that the decisions that it makes reflect the values and expectations of its stakeholders and the community at large.
For further information, refer to the University of New England’s Governance Framework rule.
Council Membership
Official Members
Chancellor: Dr Sarah Pearson
Vice-Chancellor: Professor Chris Moran
Chair of Academic Senate: Professor Adrian Walsh
Appointed Members (Ministerial)
Mr Ian Gillespie
Mr David van Aanholt
Appointed Members (Council)
Deputy Chancellor: Ms Jan McClelland AM
Ms Megan Aitkin
Mr Russell Evans
Mr Phil Hess
Mr Col Murray
Elected Members
Academic Staff: Dr Onoriode Coast
Professional Staff: Chanel Hopkinson
Student: Kristy Sillman
University Profile
With a history extending back to the 1920s, UNE is recognised as one of Australia’s best multi-modal teaching, training and research universities. In pioneering distance education, UNE has contributed to the nation’s development for nearly 100 years, enriching the lives of many people who would otherwise have been unable to access university studies. Over 85% of UNE’s students benefit from the flexibility of studying online, which allows them to balance work, life and family commitments with ease. On-campus students can tailor their learning experience by accessing digital and face-to-face delivery as their learning needs shift from trimester to trimester. Students who want to enjoy a vibrant residential experience have access to a range of accommodation options - from traditional catered colleges to independent, apartment-style living.
UNE has achieved the maximum 5 stars for overall student experience for 17 consecutive years, a feat unmatched by any other Australian public university, and is rated 5 stars for teaching quality and student support by Canstar Blue. Students can choose from a range of courses in the arts, humanities, education, health, economics, business, law, medicine, social and behavioural sciences, sport and exercise, and environmental sciences. UNE’s bespoke courses allow working adults to design a personalised learning program to suit their specific needs at any point in time.
UNE is internationally recognised for contributions to applied animal genetics and breeding, agriculture, law, social sciences, and health and medicine in a regional context. The UNE PhD (Innovation) is a unique higher research degree program that embeds practical research projects in industries and communities.
A network of study centres across the New England North West ensures UNE has strong regional representation in NSW and provides access and resources to students studying locally. UNE’s regional representation is extended by a city-based campus in Western Sydney.
UNE’s 10-year strategic plan, Future Fit, reasserts its founding goal to be a leading regional university and captures that legacy in a modern context. It sets out who UNE is as a university, its goals and strategies, and will guide their journey toward a vision for higher education that focuses on transformative opportunities, partnerships, engagement and knowledge creation. Central to Future Fit is a rearticulation of UNE’s strong focus on student access and success, support for partnerships grounded in a shared knowledge agenda, and a drive for innovation to enable economic growth and social resilience.