Comments from UNE’s incoming Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Evans

What interests you in the role of DVC at UNE?

I believe that public universities contribute enormously to our society through education, research and engagement with their communities. That is why I have made a career in universities, first in education and research and then in university leadership.

I think four things stand out about leadership in public universities:

First, universities are driven by a mission to advance the frontiers of knowledge and transform students’ lives, so leadership is anchored in supporting that mission – it is about something much bigger than any individual’s career or passions.

Second, universities endure beyond a generation, beyond an individual career, beyond a life-time, so leadership is about stewarding some part of the university for a time, ensuring it stays true to its mission while adapting to changed external circumstances to ensure that it can continue to serve that mission.

Third, universities are communities of scholars, educators and professionals, so leadership comes with a commitment to serving the wellbeing of colleagues and to ensuring that they can build careers that are personally meaningful to them, while contributing to the university’s mission to educate students and advanced the frontiers of knowledge.

And, fourth, universities both shape and serve their communities, so leadership comes with a commitment to connection with community – to dialogue, debate and co-creation.

UNE has a distinctive mission and history, and internal and external communities, and I look forward to being part of its leadership from 2022.

What do you feel you bring to the role?

A breadth of experience in a range of portfolios — in a faculty, in a cross-university international strategy and partnerships role, in leading a multi-school College, as a member of a senior executive team — across two different universities. A systemic approach that breaks down siloes and takes a whole-of-university view. A genuine curiosity and desire to learn from colleagues at the front line. A commitment to evidence-backed decision-making and fair processes. And a commitment to results.

How would you describe your leadership style?

I think a servant model of leadership is particularly well-suited to university leadership. More concretely and day-to-day, I try to establish the conditions in which objectives are clear, agreed and well-understood and colleagues are empowered and trusted to pursue those objectives. That comes with a commitment to consultation and transparency, a systemic rather than ad hoc approach, a bias towards action rather than introspection, and a profound reluctance to relitigate decisions once they are taken through an agreed process.

What are your top three priorities after assuming the role?

My initial priorities will be to listen and learn – to understand what colleagues across the university identify as the priorities for focused attention to deliver on the Future Fit strategic plan, to understand what our students identify as the priorities for their learning experience, to understand what our communities and partners see as opportunities to connect and co-create.

What are your favourite things to do when you are away from the office?

We’ve been in lockdown in Victoria for much of the last two years. Being away from the office hasn’t been the same as being away from work and, as a result, boundaries have been harder to draw. When I start at UNE, I’m looking forward to getting into the office to make a more clearly defined space for some of the things I enjoy outside of work. Even in lockdown, I’ve enjoyed the daily routine of a brisk outdoor walk to recharge physically and mentally. I’m a very amateur photographer though I haven’t had much chance over the last couple of years. And I enjoy sharing the experience of sci-fi and speculative fiction novels and TV with my partner.