Charles Sturt University is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Mark Evans to the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

Professor Evans (inset) joins Charles Sturt from leading Democracy 2025 – a joint initiative between the University of Canberra’s Institute for Governance and the Museum of Australian Democracy – focused on strengthening democratic practice.

Prior to Democracy 2025, Professor Evans was Director of the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis at the University of Canberra (UC); Professor of Governance and Director at the Australia and New Zealand School of Government; and Dean of the Faculty of Business, Government and Law at UC. He has also held senior international appointments including Head of Politics at the University of York and Provost at Halifax College.

Professor Evans said he was very proud to be joining Charles Sturt at this exciting time in its history.

“I look forward to helping academic staff realise their research aspirations in delivering research that makes a difference to the lives of Australians,” he said.

“Australia’s future will be defined by the progress we make in meeting social, economic and environmental challenges in the regions, and Charles Sturt University is uniquely placed to provide research support for industry, community and government to meet those challenges.”

Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Renée Leon, said the University was exceptionally pleased to have someone of Professor Evans’ leadership and research calibre joining at a time of significant and transformational change.

“Professor Evans has a terrific track record in developing strong partnerships, generating large-scale investment and establishing successful interdisciplinary institutes, all of which will be invaluable as Charles Sturt executes its ambitious 2030 research strategy,” she said.

“The position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) plays a pivotal role in leading Charles Sturt University’s collaboration with partners to produce impactful research, especially in the fields of agriculture, water and environment; rural health; and cyber security and data science.”

Professor Evans has played a significant role in supporting change governance practices and has acted as a senior policy advisor, designer of leadership programs and chief investigator for research and evaluation projects in 26 countries, the European Union, the United Nations and the World Bank.

He has worked with every state and territory and most Commonwealth departments in Australia on change governance issues. His research focuses on the study and practice of governance and public policy.

Professor Evans will commence his new role with Charles Sturt in January 2022.