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Synergies in professor’s dual role

Professor Phillip Steele has taken up his new appointment as the first academic director of the Monash University Berwick campus. Professor Steele is also academic director of Peninsula campus and will divide his time equally between the two posts.

"My appointment provides the opportunity for a lot more synergy between the Berwick and Peninsula campuses," he said.

"I think we will get a better result for both campuses. There will be more coordination of planning and communication, because we can view the two campuses together. I will work with my colleagues at Berwick and Peninsula to help define and build an exciting agenda for teaching, research and community engagement at both campuses."

Professor Steele said the outer urban campuses provided special opportunities for promotion of Monash.

"As the public representative of both campuses, I will promote them, and Monash as a whole, to the wider community," he said.

"I also see myself working closely with colleagues at both locations. I will work with the faculties to ensure that the teaching, research and community service programs at the two campuses are aligned with the university's strategic directions."

In March last year, Professor Rob Willis and Professor Steele were appointed as part-time academic directors of Caulfield and Peninsula campuses respectively, following the retirement of Mr John White, who had been campus director for both locations.

When Professor Steele took up the Peninsula appointment, he was also associate dean (development) in the Faculty of Information Technology.

He has now relinquished that role so he can divide his time equally between the Peninsula and Berwick campuses.