Macquarie School of Education 

Professor Deborah Youdell has commenced as the Dean of the Macquarie School of Education. As the Dean of the School of Education at the University of Birmingham, she led innovation in teacher education and achieved a joint third-place ranking in the United Kingdom for research and impact. Professor Youdell holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Teaching and Learning in Higher Education) from Macquarie (2001). Her association with Macquarie goes back to the early 2000s when she was a lecturer in the School of Education (2001– 2003). She returned to the United Kingdom to take up a lectureship at Cambridge University.

Professor Youdell is a Professor of Sociology of Education, well known internationally for her work on inequities in education and how they relate to policy, practice and everyday life in schools. Most recently, she has been focusing on understanding the ways that learning is shaped by biosocial influences. She has substantial experience in leadership within the education sector, particularly in research engagement and impact, as well as in developing sustained partnerships with philanthropic and educational organisations. 

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Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, and MQ Health 

Dr Welly Firmanto, Executive Director, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, and Chief Operating Officer for MQ Health, will be leaving Macquarie on 23 August to take up a new position as Chief Operating Officer at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research.

“Welly has been of immeasurable value to me personally and to the broader leadership team that together has overseen the significant growth of Macquarie’s health enterprise over the past eight years”, says Patrick McNeil, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Medicine and Health).

“His ability to lead while navigating complexity within his leadership roles for both the faculty and MQ Health Clinical has been one of his greatest strengths, and I know I speak for many of us in expressing our deep appreciation to him for what he has contributed to the University over more than 10 years. While saddened at Welly’s departure, I’m sure you will join me in congratulating him on this appointment, which is a testament to his immense strategic, operational and leadership capabilities.” 

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Global Engagement and Reputation  

Following the departure of Peter Hawke (Director, Global Engagement and Reputation) from Macquarie University earlier this month, the following reporting lines are now in effect:

Team	Now reporting to
Student mobility	Professor Taryn Jones, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education)
Global partnerships, protocol, delegations and international agreements	Stephen Fan, Global and Domestic Student Recruitment
Alumni relations and alumni database	Hedda Paisley, Executive Director, Philanthropy and Alumni Relations

 

In thanking Peter for his valuable contributions to the University, Jonathan Wylie, Vice-President, Strategy, Planning and Performance, highlighted his exceptional work in connecting teams and functions to enhance Macquarie’s global reputation. The responsibility for overseeing global rankings will remain with the Vice-President, Strategy, Planning and Performance, with ongoing support from a university-wide network.  

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Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy)

As announced by the Vice-Chancellor in an email to staff on 27 July, Professor Leanne Holt, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy), will be leaving Macquarie University to take up a new position as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) at the University of New South Wales. Her last day at Macquarie University will be 8 September.