January 12, 2026 — 3:13pm
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Former University of Melbourne vice chancellor Glyn Davis will return as its interim leader while the university searches for a successor to Emma Johnston, who died last month.
Chancellor Jane Hansen told university staff on Monday that Davis, who most recently headed the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, will take the reins in February.
Returning University of Melbourne vice chancellor Glyn Davis.Alex Ellinghausen
Davis previously served as the university’s 19th vice chancellor from 2005 to 2018.
“In making this appointment, the University Council’s focus was on ensuring leadership, stability and confidence as we work toward realisation of the strategic goals outlined in the approved Strategy 2030,” Hansen said via a statement.
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“Professor Davis, with his unique knowledge and experience of the University of Melbourne, and broader higher education sector, is perfectly placed to lead the university into semester one and begin implementation of the strategy.”
Professor Johnston, who was described as a “visionary leader in science and research”, had been in the university’s top job for less than 12 months when she died in December from cancer, aged 52.
In her final weeks, Johnston finalised the first step in the University Strategy 2030 – her 10-year plan that aims to build a more resilient institution amid challenging operating realities, anchored in the goal of benefiting society through education and research.
Hansen said she was grateful to Davis for agreeing to take on the interim role on short notice.
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“Many of you will already know Glyn as our 19th vice-chancellor,” Hansen said on Monday. “During this time, he made an extraordinary contribution to our university, including the introduction of the Melbourne curriculum,” Hansen wrote in her all-staff email.
In his own message to staff on Monday, Davis praised Johnston’s “enthusiasm and vision”.
“It was a shock and tragedy…when a short illness claimed our vice-chancellor, aged just 52,” Davis wrote.
“We mourn not just a remarkable individual, but the future Emma could see and was so keen to share.”
Professor Michael Wesley and Professor Jane Gunn will serve as acting vice chancellor until Davis begins on February 2.
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