Professor Craig Simmons appointed to University of Newcastle

19 August 2022

Professor Craig Simmons appointed to University of Newcastle

Australian Research Council (ARC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Judith Zielke, has congratulated Distinguished Professor Craig Simmons FAA FTSE on his appointment as Pro Vice-Chancellor for the University of Newcastle’s College of Engineering, Science and Environment.

Professor Simmons is the ARC Executive Director for Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences and received the Anton Hales Medal for distinguished research in the Earth Sciences by the Australian Academy of Science (2011).

“Craig has been a champion of excellence in Australian research” Ms Zielke said.

“Craig’s appointment demonstrates the value of both his expertise as a scientist, but also his role in mentoring the next generation of world-class researchers”.

Professor Simmons will take up the role in November.

“The University of Newcastle is recognised nationally and internationally for its contribution to Australian research and teaching and its commitment to excellence. It is an honour to accept the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor.” Professor Simmons said.

Professor Simmons is an internationally renowned Earth Scientist who has made significant discoveries about groundwater using theory, experiment, and computational simulation. His work on variable-density flow phenomena is internationally recognised as revolutionising understanding of groundwater. He drove development of new mathematical models capable of greater insight and accuracy by addressing the limitations of classical fluid mechanics in groundwater geoscience.

Professor Simmons is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, and of the American Geophysical Union. He was South Australian Scientist of the Year (2015) and Australian Water Professional of the Year (2017). He received the Convocation Medal at Flinders University (2017) and the Biennial Medal of the Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand (2017).

Media contact: 

ARC Communications
0412 623 056 or communications@arc.gov.au