The University of Western Australia has announced internationally-recognised academic Paul Johnson will take up the vice chancellor's post to be vacated by Alan Robson at the end of this year.
Professor Johnson has been vice chancellor at Melbourne's La Trobe University for the past four years, following three years as deputy director at the London School of Economics.
UWA chancellor Michael Chaney said Prof. Johnson's selection from an extremely talented field came at an exciting time for the university.
"UWA's institutional performance is at an all-time high and by the beginning of 2012, we will have commenced our program of new courses which will help position the University to achieve its ambition of becoming one of the world's top 50 universities by 2050," Dr Chaney said.
"Professor Johnson's academic background and leadership skills combine well to match UWA's strategic ambition to achieve international excellence in its teaching, research and community activities.
"He is well-placed to help our University as it continues to build its international reputation and confirm its place among Australia's leading universities."
Prof. Johnson received his doctorate from Oxford University in 1982, and his research has focused on the economic and social development of Britain since 1850 and the economic impact of ageing populations.
He said he considered it a privilege to join UWA as vice-chancellor.
"There is no question that UWA's standing as a world-class university has been built through careful and thoughtful planning and leadership. I am looking forward to making my contribution to this great institution's journey of success," Prof. Johnson said.
Prof. Johnson has also been an expert adviser on pension reform and the economics of demographic change to the World Bank, the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, the British government and the House of Lords.
