University of Tasmania

Since the very beginning, our mission has been to improve the lives of Tasmanians and care for our island home. We also look outward to make distinctive contributions to the world’s challenges from our unique vantage point here in Tasmania.

Living on an island, we work to be sustainable in everything we do. We know that the Aboriginal people stewarded the island sustainability for tens of thousands of years and we seek to build a future for the island together with them. It is our mission to see Tasmania’s quality of life and environmental values become a model for a more sustainable world.

Home to both pristine wilderness and vibrant cities, Tasmania is a very special place. As a university, it shapes everything we do. Our island informs our teaching, our research, and our unique ways of thinking. We have a distinctive culture that produces thinkers, writers, artists, and musicians, whose influence is felt around the globe. As a university, we are always striving to make our island and our world a better place. The work of our dedicated researchers has a real impact. They lead the way in Antarctic science, dementia studies, marine conservation, forestry, agricultural technology, and more.

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Governance

The University of Tasmania is governed by the University Council, chaired by the Chancellor, and assisted by its committees, including Academic Senate.

The University of Tasmania is a statutory corporation, continued under the University of Tasmania Act 1992. The University is governed by the University Council, which is chaired by the Chancellor and advised by Academic Senate and a number of other committees.

A Governance Instruments Framework provides guidance and accountability in decision-making under the Act and includes the University’s ordinances, by-laws, policies and procedures.

A visual representation of our governance bodies (PDF 71.6 KB) helps show how these interact and connect with each other.

Governance

The Chancellor

Ms Alison Watkins AM
Chancellor of UTAS

Alison grew up on a farm in regional Tasmania. She attended Sorell Primary School and St Michael’s Collegiate in Hobart and studied at the University of Tasmania.

She is an experienced Chief Executive and Non-executive Director. She is a member of the Reserve Bank of Australia Board, a non-executive director of CSL Limited, Wesfarmers Limited and PGA of Australia. She is also a director of the Geoff Ogilvy Foundation and the Centre for Independent Studies.

Alison’s previous roles include Group Managing Director of Coca-Cola Amatil, Chief Executive Officer of GrainCorp Limited and Berri Limited, and Managing Director of Regional Banking at ANZ. Alison spent 10 years at McKinsey & Company from 1989-1999 and became a partner of the firm in 1996 before moving to ANZ as Group General Manager Strategy. Alison has been a non-executive director of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Woolworths Limited and Just Group Limited.

Governing body

University Council

The University Council is the governing body of the University of Tasmania. It is established by the University of Tasmania Act 1992 (TAS). The Council is chaired by the Chancellor, who is appointed by the Council.

Council makes decisions in relation to policy and planning, makes University legislation and approves policy documents. It is advised by its committees, its working parties, and (in relation to academic matters) the Academic Senate.

Membership

Official Members

  • Chancellor: Ms Alison Watkins AM (31 December 2025)

  • Vice-Chancellor: Professor Rufus Black (Ex-officio)

  • Chair of Academic Senate: Associate Professor Kristyn Harman (31 December 2027)

Members appointed by the Minister

  • Deputy Chancellor: Ms Sheree Vertigan AM (1 April 2027)

  • Ms Tara Howell (1 April 2027)

Members appointed by the Council

  • Deputy Chancellor: Ms Alicia Leis (31 December 2027)

  • Ms Sarah-Jayne Hall (31 December 2027)

  • Professor Emeritus Peter Dawkins AO (31 March 2027)

  • Mr James Groom (31 December 2026)

  • Dr Tania Price (31 October 2026)

Members elected by the university community

  • Academic Staff: Associate Professor Aidan Davison (31 December 2026)

  • Professional Staff: Ms Karina Groenewoud (31 December 2026)

  • Student: Gareth Dent (31 December 2025)