University of Newcastle
Guided by our values of equity, excellence, sustainability and engagement, the University of Newcastle has built a strong reputation as a world-leading university making an impact within our own regions, in Australia and across the globe. We’re proud to be ranked in the top 175 universities in the world and in the top 30 universities globally for impact.
We are fully committed to supporting and providing a safe space for our Indigenous students and communities. Since the 1970s, we have made an unparalleled contribution to Indigenous higher education in Australia. This vital work continues today with our Wollotuka Institute and our Indigenous Health Unit. We’re proud to be the top university in Australia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Enrolments, and we continue to provide even more pathways to university for Indigenous students. Last year we celebrated 40 years of our Wollotuka Institute, and this year marks our 50th anniversary of creating pathways to higher education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Our University has long been known as a champion of innovative approaches to teaching and learning. All of our undergraduate courses are designed to integrate theory with practice, offering rich opportunities for real-life, hands-on experiences through career-ready placements to give our students a head start in their careers. We are also a research-intensive university and have achieved great things in collaboration with our partners in industry, business, government and the community here and around the world. Our sights are set firmly on the future, as we continue to build on our research strengths and maintain our position as a destination for the world's best researchers and global innovation leaders.
Governance
Our leaders and governing bodies aim to promote scholarship, research, free inquiry, the interaction of research and teaching and academic excellence.
The University of Newcastle is governed by its Council which is chaired by the Chancellor. Council has responsibility for managing the affairs and concerns of the University according to the University of Newcastle Act 1989 (NSW) (the Act) and the University of Newcastle By-law 2017 (NSW) (the By-law).
The Chancellor
The Hon. Patricia Forsythe AM
Chancellor of UON
BA, DipEd(UON), FAICD
Patricia Forsythe is a non-Executive Director and most recently was Australia's High Commissioner to New Zealand (2019 - 2022), having previously been Executive Director Sydney Business Chamber (2006 - 2019) and prior to that as a member of the NSW Legislative Council (1991 - 2006).
Patricia served on a number of boards in the Government and Not-for-Profit areas after 2006. Currently Patricia serves on the Hunter Advisory Committee for Venues NSW, and is a Non-Executive Director on the boards of the Northern Sydney Local Health District, and WaterNSW.
In 2019 Patricia was awarded as a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to business and to the people and Parliament of NSW. In 2020, Patricia was appointed City of Newcastle Ambassador and given a key to the city.
Patricia was born in Newcastle and holds a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education from the University of Newcastle.
Governing body
University Council
Council is the University’s executive governing body. It is the most senior decision-making body of the University and is responsible for the oversight, management and development of strategic plans and key policies. Council monitors the overall performance and accountability of the organisation and is subject to standards of corporate governance.
For more information, refer to the University of Newcastle’s Council Charter.
Membership
Official Members
Chancellor: The Hon Patricia Forsythe AM (December 2027)
Vice-Chancellor: Professor Alex Zelinsky AO (December 2028)
Chair of Academic Senate: Associate Professor Marcus Rodrigs ( December 2027)
Members appointed by the Minister
The Hon John Della Bosca AM (October 2027)
Ms Elizabeth (Liz) Nicol (December 2026)
Members appointed by the Council
Deputy Chancellor: Mr Kevin Young (August 2028)
Mr Noel Cornish AM (February 2026)
Ms Elizabeth Couch AM (December 2026)
Mr Jason Darney (January 2026)
Adjunct Professor Michael Di Rienzo (August 2028)
Ms Julie Phillips (August 2026)
Members elected by the university community
Academic Staff: Associate Professor Brendan Boyle (August 2026)
Academic Staff: Dr Annika Westrenius (August 2026)
Professional Staff: Ms Wendy Taggart (August 2026)
Students: Mr Jacob Carson (December 2025)
Students: Ms Laura Dowling (December 2025)