3 December 2015
……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Internationally experienced university leader and academic, Professor Eeva Leinonen has been selected as Murdoch University’s next vice-chancellor, which has been shaken for more than a year by power struggles and a probe by the West Australian Corruption and Crime Commission..
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Professor Leinonen is currently a deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Wollongong, a role she has held since 2012. Prior to this she was Vice Principal (Education) at King’s College London.
She has an academic background in linguistics and psychology and has extensive experience in higher education in the United Kingdom, Europe and internationally, including 19 years at the University of Hertfordshire, where she served as Deputy Vice Chancellor and Dean of Health and Human Sciences.
Announcing the appointment, Murdoch University Chancellor David Flanagan said he was proud to appoint someone of Professor Leinonen’s calibre to Murdoch University’s top job. She will succeed Professor Andrew Taggart, who has been acting in the role for the past 14 months.
“Professor Leinonen is extremely well placed to deliver on our vision to be an internationally recognised research-led institution with high quality learning and teaching,” Mr Flanagan said.
“She is a distinguished researcher with international collaborations and outputs focusing on pragmatic language disorders in children. Professor Leinonen understands the importance of maintaining Murdoch’s research-led strategy.
David Flanagan thanked the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Taggart for his continued achievements in core priority areas of research, learning and teaching, and international engagement.
Professor Leinonen said she saw Murdoch as a university with a solid foundation, a strong research focus and an impressive vision to attract and retain students through quality teaching and learning.
“I am passionate about education and supporting students to reach their potential. I look forward to working with everyone at Murdoch to ensure we exceed student expectations and prepare them to succeed in their lives after graduation,” she said.
“I am excited at being given the opportunity to lead Murdoch University and I am very much looking forward to joining the team and engaging with Murdoch’s supporters and stakeholders.”
When she takes up the role in 2016, Professor Leinonen will be Murdoch University’s first female vice-chancellor.
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