Annabelle Duncan
{{Short description|Australian microbiologist (born 1953)}}
{{primary sources|date=July 2024}}
Annabelle Duncan {{post-nominals|country=AUS|PSM}} (born in Nelson, New Zealand in 1953),{{Cite web |date=5 December 2017 |title=Duncan, Annabelle (1953-) |url=https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P005953b.htm |access-date=27 October 2022 |website=Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation}} is a New Zealand-Australian microbiologist who held the post of Vice-Chancellor at the University of New England (UNE) from 2014-2019.{{Cite web |date=14 October 2020 |title=Citation - Emeritus Professor Annabelle Duncan |url=https://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/332962/Citation-Annabelle-Duncan.pdf |access-date=27 October 2022 |website=University of New England}}
Early life and education
Duncan was born the youngest of two girls to parents who met in England. She won a scholarship to study pharmacy at University of Otago,{{Cite web |last=Wolff |first=Helen |date=5 March 2019 |title=Annabelle Duncan, interviewed by Tom Spurling and Terry Healy, 6 February 2019 |url=https://csiropedia.csiro.au/interview-with-annabelle-duncan/ |access-date=27 October 2022 |website=CSIROpedia}} however changed to microbiology, completing a Master of Science thesis on antibiotic-resistant bacteria. She moved to Australia in 1981 or 1982 and completed her doctorate at La Trobe University and a postdoctorate at Monash University.
Career
Working with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) for 16 years, Duncan's role included Chief of the Division of Molecular Science.{{Cite web |date=20 August 2014 |title=Professor Annabelle Duncan appointed as UNE Vice-Chancellor |url=https://www.une.edu.au/connect/news/2014/08/professor-annabelle-duncan-appointed-as-une-vice-chancellor |access-date=27 October 2022 |website=University of New England}} At the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) (2005-2008) she was an advisor on biological weapons control. She travelled to Iraq as a biological weapons inspector for the United Nations during the Gulf War. Her next appointment was as Executive Director of Science Collaboration and Transition in the Centre for Agricultural Bioscience (2008-2010).
In 2010, Duncan joined the University of New England (UNE) as deputy vice-chancellor (research), later being appointed deputy vice-chancellor, and in 2014 interim vice-chancellor.{{Cite web |date=14 February 2014 |title=Interim Vice-Chancellor announced |url=https://www.une.edu.au/connect/news/2014/02/interim-vice-chancellor-announced |access-date=27 Oct 2022 |website=University of New England}} In August 2014 UNE announced Duncan had been appointed as vice-chancellor. In an interview with ABC New England Northwest, Duncan said her vision "is to build a real brand around UNE...I think we need to be seen as being a leading university in our niche and I think our niche is as a relevant, affordable regional university that's renown globally for our teaching..."{{Cite web |date=22 August 2014 |title=Professor Annabelle Duncan takes the lead at Armidale's UNE |url=https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2014/08/21/4071985.htm |access-date=27 October 2022 |website=ABC Local}}
In September 2018, UNE announced Duncan would not be renewing her contract in 2019.{{Cite web |title=UNE Vice-Chancellor to move on next year |url=https://www.une.edu.au/connect/news/2018/09/une-vice-chancellor-to-move-on-next-year |access-date=27 Oct 2022 |website=University of New England}}
After leaving University of New England, Duncan was appointed chair of the NSW Physical Sciences Fund, chair of the Australian Council of Learned Academies Expert Working Group on Rural, Regional and Remote Research Excellence, chair of the Sydney School of Entrepreneurship, chair of the Asia Pacific International College, and member of the Board of the Regional Australia Institute.
Awards and recognition
Duncan received the Public Service Medal in 1996 for her work on biological weapons control. She was elected fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering in 2018. Honorary doctorates were conferred on Duncan from Murdoch University (2005) and La Trobe University (2019).
References
{{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Duncan, Annabelle}}
Category:Fellows of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
Category:Vice-chancellors of the University of New England (Australia)
Category:Scientists from Nelson, New Zealand
Category:La Trobe University alumni
Category:University of Otago alumni
Category:New Zealand emigrants to Australia
Category:Australian microbiologists
Category:Australian women microbiologists
Category:New Zealand microbiologists
Category:New Zealand women scientists