New dean to enhance the research student experience

An internationally recognised leader in educational technology and educational research methods, Professor Lori Lockyer, has been appointed as the new Dean of the Graduate Research School (GRS) at the University of Technology Sydney.

Joining UTS from Macquarie University, where she was most recently Head, School of Education and Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation Chair in Teacher Education, Professor Lockyer's wealth of experience in research training and development will play a key role as part of the UTS senior team to deliver on the UTS Research Strategy 2016–20.

"Professor Lockyer's passion and commitment to developing future generations of researchers, including enhancing relationships between students, faculties and external partners to further research and research training, will strengthen GRS's capacity in this important area," says Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Glenn Wightwick.

"Her appointment will enable UTS to achieve its research goal of increasing the intensity, excellence, impact and reputation through enhancing the research student and researcher experience."

Through her strong academic experience in learning design and numerous national board appointments throughout her career, Professor Lockyer outlines her plans for GRS.

"Working collaboratively with faculties, I hope to re-imagine the complete research student lifecycle –from recruitment through, and beyond, graduation," says Professor Lockyer.  

"Together, we can progress how we attract and develop pathways for students into research degrees and how we create and sustain industry experiences and collaborations that benefit our students, researchers and partners.

"We also need to address how we can support research training and researcher development that recognises the evolving skill set required for solving social and practice-oriented research challenges."

Professor Lockyer brings to UTS experience in research student and researcher development – having led her own multidisciplinary research teams – and in roles such as associate dean, with responsibility for research degrees and researcher development and as a head of school responsible for academic staff career development.

She has recently been involved more broadly in research strategy and policy development, as well as research assessment, as a member of the ARC College of Experts and of the ERA15 evaluation panel.

Professor Lockyer will take up the position on 8 August.