December 6, 2023
The Group of Eight (Go8) congratulates Professor Sharon Pickering on her appointment as the next Vice Chancellor and President of Monash University.
Group of Eight Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said Professor Pickering was a highly respected leader in Australia’s education sector and recognised both domestically and internationally for her expertise across many facets of higher education.
“Professor Pickering’s appointment as Vice-Chancellor of Australia’s largest university is great news for our higher education sector. Her international experience is outstanding, with a strong track record of research engagement particularly in the Indo-Pacific, working continuously with Government agencies to promote Australia’s education and research offerings, while putting student experience front and centre.
Since August 2023, Professor Pickering has held the role of Acting Provost and Senior Vice- President at Monash University. In July 2021 she was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) and Senior Vice-President and led the whole-of-University 2022-2030 Education Plan.
“Professor Pickering has held a number of significant leadership roles at Monash since joining the university in 2003 and has demonstrated an enduring commitment to the university and to Australia’s broader higher education sector.
“More recently she played a leading role in the Universities Accord process and was appointed to serve on the Gender-Based Violence Reference Group for the Accord.
“A strong advocate for higher education and student experience, her expertise and leadership skills will be a great asset to the Group of Eight and indeed the nation’s entire tertiary sector,” said Ms Thomson.
Professor Pickering succeeds Professor Margaret Gardner who was Australia’s longest serving Vice Chancellor, prior to her appointment as Governor of Victoria.