Professor Simon Biggs has been appointed the next Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor of The University of Western Australia.

Professor Biggs was selected from a competitive field of applicants after an international search.  He will take up the position in March 2018.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater said she is delighted that an academic leader of Professor Biggs’ calibre will be joining the University.

“Professor Biggs joins The University of Western Australia at an exciting time as we embark on initiatives focussed on enhancing student experience, engagement with our community, and building on our strong global reputation for research excellence,” Professor Freshwater said.

Professor Biggs is currently the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology at the University of Queensland. He is an internationally recognised chemical engineer in the field of colloid and particle technology. Professor Biggs was previously the Royal Academy of Engineering/BNFL Chair in Particle Science and Engineering at the University of Leeds from 2002 until 2014 after spending eight years at The University of Newcastle, Australia.

Professor Biggs is an elected Fellow of both the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.

Professor Biggs said he was excited about joining The University of Western Australia.

“It is a privilege to be selected to join one of the world’s top 100 universities and have the opportunity to live and work in a wonderful city such as Perth. I am looking forward to joining the University in a few months’ time and helping further improve the reputation and standing of this fine institution,” Professor Biggs said.

Media references

David Stacey (UWA Media Manager)                                          (+61 8) 6488 3229 / (+61 4) 32 637 716