The University of Queensland appoints new Executive Dean

The University of Queensland has appointed a scientist with extensive international experience in academic management as the new Executive Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science.

Professor Roger Swift was selected from a field of candidates with outstanding records of academic leadership for the position. He will be based at UQ's Gatton campus but have major responsibilities at the St Lucia and other campuses of the University.

Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay said Professor Swift brought a wealth of international experience and expertise to the University.

"Professor Swift will be responsible for the academic leadership and management of the faculty, which is a key contributor not only to education and research in Queensland, but to advancing the Queensland and Australian economies.

His role will be to continue to provide excellent, world-class research and teaching in all the Faculty's discipline areas and manage all aspects of academic programs, staff and resource allocation and representation to the wider community," he said.

"As a key task Professor Swift will be looking at ways to develop new sources of funding on behalf of the Faculty."

Professor Swift worked previously for the CSIRO as Chief, Division of Soils and more recently as Chief Research Scientist. He has also held the position of Head of Department of Soil Science and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food at the University of Reading in England.

Professor Swift graduated from Birmingham University in 1965, where he later gained his PhD. His other positions include appointments with the University of Western Australia, the University of Manchester, Edinburgh University and with Lincoln University in New Zealand as Head of Department of Soil Science and from 1985, Vice-Principal (now designated as Deputy Vice-Chancellor).

Media: Further information, Peter McCutcheon (0413 380 012)

Enquiries can also be directed to communications@mailbox.uq.edu.au