ARChway December 2021 - Message from the CEO

Dear Colleagues,

This will be my last ARChway column to you as Chief Executive Officer of the ARC.

While my five-year term was due to conclude in June 2022, I have decided to bring my departure forward. This means I will step down as CEO at the end of January 2022. It has been my honour to serve you as CEO for the past four and a half years.

The Australian research sector is full of talented people who have dedicated their professional lives to intellectual discovery. I share your passion and understand the all-consuming seductive nature of a life in research. I have loved hearing about your amazing work and wish you every success with it into the future.

The agency will continue its work into 2022 under the leadership of acting Minister for Education and Youth, The Hon Stuart Robert MP. For researchers this means business will continue as usual. This week, the Australian Government outlined a number of policy directions for the research undertaken by universities, and supported by ARC funding. Minister Robert wrote to outline his expectations of the ARC, across a number of areas relevant to those directions. I urge you to read both documents so that you are across what the intent of the changes are and so that you have time to consider how best to align your research.

I want to thank all of the people who have supported the ARC during my time as CEO. I wish you all the very best over the holiday season, and a safe new year for 2022.