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Vice-Chancellor

Professor Karen Nelson (Provost)

Professor Karen Nelson

BIT, BIT(Hons), PhD QUT, PFHEA

The Vice-Chancellor is the Chief Executive Officer of the University, and is also the University’s principal academic officer.

The Vice-Chancellor exercises general supervision over the activities and welfare of staff and students of the University, and promotes the interests and furthers the development of UniSQ.

Background

Professor Karen Nelson commenced at UniSQ in February 2019 in the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).  In January 2022, Professor Nelson was appointed to the position of Provost, and at the end of October 2024, she was appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor. 

Prior to joining UniSQ, Professor Nelson was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) and in this role she was responsible for transforming USC’s approach to student learning engagement, success and retention. Previously, she was Director of Student Success and Retention, and Director of First Year Experience and held a series of traditional faculty-based academic roles at the Queensland University of Technology. 

A recognised authority in student engagement and retention and first-year experience, Professor Nelson’s research into the complex nature of the student experience has been instrumental in uncovering the factors influencing attrition and has advanced policy and practice nationally and internationally.  

Her contributions to higher education have been recognised by three national awards and in 2016 she was made Principal Fellow of the UK based Higher Education Academy.

Memberships and affiliations

Professor Nelson previously served two terms as an elected member of the Universities Australia Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s (Academic) Executive. Professor Nelson is the chief editor of Student Success, an open access journal exploring the experiences of students in tertiary education. She has been a member of the organising committee, Chair or Co-chair of the annual Students, Transitions, Achievement, Retention & Success (STARS) Conference (and its predecessor FYHE conferences) for more than 12 years. Professor Nelson also serves the sector as an external expert for the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).

Vice-Chancellor's Executive

The Vice-Chancellor is supported by an experienced professional executive:

Our Vice-Chancellor's Executive is a key advisory committee to the Vice-Chancellor on all matters relating to the management of the University and on the setting of strategic directions and the development of policy.

Contact details

Phone: +61 7 4631 2168
Email: vc@unisq.edu.au 
Executive Assistant: Toni Osmond
Senior Executive Officer to the Vice-Chancellor: eovc@unisq.edu.au