Person
Wilson, Brian Graham (1930 - 2019)
AO FTSE
- Born
- 9 April 1930
Belfast, Northern Ireland - Died
- 6 September 2019
Paris, France - Occupation
- Astrophysicist, University Administrator and Vice-Chancellor
Summary
Brian Wilson was a distinguished physicist, a leading university reformer and the longest-serving Vice-Chancellor of the University of Queensland. Before coming to Australia, he was a noted researcher in astrophysics and x-ray astronomy in Canada for over 15 years, and was involved in rocket firings throughout the world. On coming to the University of Queensland in 1979, at a period of upheaval for the university sector, he embarked on a program of reforms which placed the University as one of international standing. These reforms included streamlining the academic structure, recognition of teaching excellence, pioneering initiatives to tackle institutional sexism, and the exploration of external funding sources and commercialisation of research. The establishment of UniQuest in 1984 led to more that 100 start-ups. His contribution to policy development for the sector included as Chair of the Australian Vic-Chancellors' Committee and of the Australian Government's Committee for Quality Assurance in Higher Education
Details
Chronology
- 1956
- Education - PhD, National University of Ireland
- 1956 - 1957
- Career position - Postdoctoral Fellow, Natural Research Council, Canada
- 1957 - 1960
- Career position - Officer-in-Charge, Sulphur Mt Laboratory, Banff, British Columbia, Canada
- 1960 - 1965
- Career position - Associate Professor of Physics, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- 1965 - 1970
- Career position - Professor of Physics, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- 1967 - 1970
- Career position - Dean of Arts and Science, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- 1970 - 1978
- Career position - Professor of Astronomy and Academic Vice-President, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- 1979 - 1995
- Career position - Vice-Chancellor, University of Queensland
- 1987 - 1989
- Career position - Deputy Chairman, Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee
- 1989 - 1990
- Career position - Chairman, Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee
- 1990
- Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE)
- 1991 - 1993
- Career position - President, International Development Program, Australian Universities and Colleges
- 1991 - 1994
- Career position - Member of Council, Northern Territory University
- 1991 - 1995
- Career position - Member of Council, University of the South Pacific
- 1993 - 1995
- Career position - Chair, Committee for Quality Assurance in Higher Education
- 1995 -
- Career position - Emeritus Professor, University of Queensland
- 1995
- Award - DSc honoris causa, University of Queensland
- 1995
- Award - Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) - for service to Australian higher education
- 2001
- Award - Centenary Medal - for service to Australian society in higher education
Related entries
Published resources
Journal Articles
- Anon, 'Brian Graham Wilson AO FTSE: an education innovator with a global vision', Impact, 210 (2020), 68, https://www.atse.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ATSE-IMPACT-2020.pdf. Details
See also
- Robson, Alexandra K.; Production Manager and Editor eds, Who's who in Australia 2019 (Southbank, Vic.: AAP Directories, 2018), 1788 pp. Details
Helen Cohn
Created: 17 May 2022, Last modified: 15 June 2022