VC hunt delivers challenges, rewards

Edith Cowan University’s governing body will confront a challenging decision when Steve Chapman steps down from his role as vice-chancellor later this year.

Members of the council will need to deliberate on whether Professor Chapman’s successor should emerge from the university’s own ranks, be selected from the wider Australian higher education sector, or if they should conduct a comprehensive search beyond these boundaries and go global.

The decision will carry enormous significance, as the VC role – the university’s chief executive officer – plays a central role in shaping the institution’s trajectory and determining its future direction.

In recent years, it has become the norm in Australia for university governing bodies to launch global searches when recruiting a new VC.

Unsurprisingly, that approach has led to the appointment of VCs for Australian universities from countries including Canada, New Zealand and the UK.

The assumption around an international search is clear: universities want leaders who can match their global ambitions.

A quick search of university archives will reveal Western Australia’s public institutions are a mixed bag when it comes to the origins of their VCs during the past decade.

While it’s worth noting that all currently serving VCs have been recruited from abroad, individuals from outside the country haven’t consistently been the preferred choice in the past.

Professor Chapman started his position at ECU in 2015 after serving as VC of Heriot-Watt University in the UK. His predecessor, Kerry Cox, was appointed from Ballarat University in Victoria.

Curtin University’s Harlene Hayne took the reins at the state’s largest public university in 2021, following her time as VC at the University of Otago in NZ. Prior to Professor Hayne’s appointment, Deborah Terry served as VC, having been recruited from the University of Queensland.

University of Western Australia VC Amit Chakma previously held the position at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, before assuming his current role in 2020. His predecessor, Dawn Freshwater, was a British academic.

As for Murdoch University, Andrew Deeks, although educated in WA, took on his current role in 2022 after serving as president of University College Dublin in Ireland. Before Professor Deeks’ arrival at Murdoch, Eeva Leinonen had been recruited from the University of Newcastle in NSW.

It’s not hard to establish the advantages of appointing an outsider to the VC’s role.

Conducting a global search enables governing bodies to access a more extensive talent pool, potentially bringing in individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and innovative ideas.

An overseas candidate might also bring established global networks and collaborations. These connections can unlock new opportunities and bolster a university’s reputation and resources.

The challenge for outsiders lies in adapting to a completely new operating context.

Domestic candidates also come with their own strengths.

They are likely to have established local networks and are more likely to be familiar with the challenges facing the higher education sector in Australia.

And if a candidate is already working in a senior role at a university (an internal candidate), they will bring with them valuable institutional knowledge, familiarity with a university’s culture, and pre-existing working relationships.

Choosing an internal candidate can boost staff morale, as it demonstrates that the institution values and rewards its own talent. And it can provide a sense of continuity, reducing disruptions in ongoing projects and initiatives.

However, it remains unclear whether individuals recruited from global contexts are more likely to outperform domestic candidates.

What is clear is that, as universities continue to evolve and face unique challenges, the decision-making process for selecting a VC remains a critical aspect of an institution’s journey toward academic excellence and global impact.

To return to Professor Chapman, he serves as a compelling case of how a global search can pay huge dividends for a university.

Under his leadership, ECU has made significant strides in advancing its academic reputation, research endeavours, and global engagement.

At the same time, insiders at all of WA public universities will be quick to provide examples of global searches that failed to deliver.

• Professor Gary Martin is chief executive of the Australian Institute of Management WA