The University of Newcastle (UON) is proud to announce the appointment of the institution’s inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor Industry Engagement and Innovation (PVC IEI), furthering its commitment to translating its world-class research into real-world solutions.
The PVC IEI will provide leadership in building industry partnerships, accelerating innovation and entrepreneurship through innovation hubs, and achieving excellence in the translation and commercialisation of research.
Dr Sarah Pearson, a leader in the global innovation community, will fill the role commencing March 2017.
Sarah joins UON from her role as CEO of the CBR Innovation Network, where she designed and oversaw a broad suite of offerings to the Canberra innovation community, including an accelerator program, support for small business, a network for entrepreneurs, and activities encouraging students to study science and mathematics.
Sarah said she was thrilled to join the university in this new role.
“I have followed the university’s progression in the innovation space closely, and am eager to be a part of its future development. I am passionate about bringing ideas to life in order to benefit the global community – research institutions play a vital role in realising this,” Sarah said.
“My experience working across research, industry and in close partnership with government, in all parts of the innovation system, will help me provide a strong base for the University of Newcastle to make further progression in this space.”
For more than two decades, Sarah has driven innovation strategy and practice in corporate, research, government and whole of ecosystem arenas, and is passionate about helping Australia benefit from industrial, research and social innovation applications.
Sarah will play a key role in the delivery of the Hunter Innovation Project partnership and UON-driven Integrated Innovation Network (I2N), both of which received NSW State Government support and are creating enabling environments where researchers, start-ups and SMEs can undertake multi-disciplinary collaboration and produce the next generation of entrepreneurs.
IMAGE | Dr Sarah Pearson has joined UON as the Pro Vice-Chancellor Industry Engagement and Innovation.
