Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research)

Professor John Bell

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research) provides strategic leadership for the Academic Portfolio at the University of Southern Queensland. This role is responsible for guiding the University’s academic enterprise and ensuring strong academic performance, with a particular emphasis on research led education. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor oversees a coordinated approach to building and sustaining partnerships with government, industry, and community organisations across Australia and internationally, supporting excellence in teaching and research with global impact.

Professor Bell collaborates closely with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students and Education) to strengthen the integration of learning and research, ensuring the University’s academic programs align with its transformative strategic objectives. The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research) delivers high-level project, administrative, and governance support to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research), the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Development and Commercialisation), and all business units within the Portfolio.

The Portfolio comprises the following areas:

• Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research)
• Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Development and Commercialisation)
• School of Business, Humanities, Law, and Pathways
• School of Education and Creative Arts
• School of Science, Engineering and Digital Technologies
• School of Health, Psychological and Medical Sciences
• School of Nursing and Midwifery
• Graduate Research School
• Technical Services and Operations.

Background

Prior to joining UniSQ, Professor Bell was the Head of the School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering at the Queensland University of Technology. He has held a range of senior positions at QUT including Assistant Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering from 2001-2011, and Director of the Centre for Built Environment and Engineering Research from 2003-2004.

Professor Bell had a significant research development and mentoring role in the School attracting 23 ARC fellowships (34 in total), including two Laureate fellows; doubling his School’s external income during his tenure as Head to $18.2 million in 2018; and increasing research quality in the School with 10 publications in Nature or Science in 2018.

As an outstanding researcher in his area of materials engineering and energy, Professor Bell has led projects in the development of energy efficient smart windows, dye-sensitised solar cell development, and carbonaceous materials. He also has expertise in the area of energy efficiency and occupant comfort in buildings and has carried out extensive research with industry. Professor Bell has received over $30 million in research funding during his 30-year career as a researcher.

Professor Bell brings to UniSQ a wealth of experience and impressive track record in the development of research capacity in terms of research income and HDR completions, as well as national and international research leadership, including the ARC College of Experts and Laureate panels.

Memberships and Affiliations

Professor Bell is a Director of the Australian Institute for Nuclear Science and Engineering and is currently a member of the following groups:

• Fellow of Engineers Australia
• Member of the Australian Institute of Physics
• Member of the American Physical Society (US)
• Member of Materials Australia