Office of the President of the Board

The President and Deputy President are elected from the members of the Board. The role of the President is a full-time appointment, while the Deputy President role is a half-time appointment.

The President acts as the executive officer of the Board, and chairs the Academic Board and most Board Committees. The President remains informed of the workings of the academic staff and other related sections of the University.  The Academic Board Policy sets out the responsibilities of the President and the Deputy President. 

The Deputy President assists the President and carries out functions on behalf of the President, as determined by the Board or President.  Should the President be unable to act, the Deputy President may discharge all functions of the President.

President

Professor Lydia Kavanagh

BE, MEngSc, GCEd, PhD, The University of Queensland

 A staff member of UQ since 2003 and a former student, Professor Lydia Kavanagh is the President of the Academic Board and a Professor of Higher Education. She was most recently the Deputy Associate Dean Academic (Faculty of Science) and before that, the Director of First Year Engineering.

Lydia's research and practice in teaching and learning has been recognised by her admission as a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and an Australian Learning and Teaching Council award for Teaching Excellence.  She remains involved institutionally with training and mentoring staff with teaching responsibilities through ITaLI, coordinating undergraduate and postgraduate engineering thesis courses, and more recently, exploring the ways in which generative AI can positively change practices for both staff and students.

Lydia actively champions the fundamental values of respect and inclusivity, integrity and courage.

She has an open door policy; please contact her should you wish to discuss a matter around the academic endeavour of the university.

Deputy President

Professor Bronwyn Lea

Professor Bronwyn Lea teaches and researches in contempory literature, poetics, creative writing, research-led practice, and gender studies.

Executive Support Officer to the President and Deputy President

Nicole Bowman

Nicole has been at UQ since 2023 as Executive Support Officer of the Academic Board.

She has a Bachelor of Business, majoring in marketing and events management and enjoys helping to plane and run events that connect people and get things done.  Prior to joining UQ, Nicole has worked in the business, travel and community sectors and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role.

She is certified in Mental Health First Aid and has a commitment to supporting others' well-being and positive mental health.