Pearson, Sarah Dr

Dr. Sarah Pearson was the tenth Chancellor of the University of New England (Nov 2024 - June 2026). A physicist with a DPhil from Oxford University, she previously served as an academic at UNE from 2000 to 2006, during which time she pioneered regional outreach initiatives such as ‘Science in the Bush’ and the ‘Science and Engineering Challenge’.

Her appointment marked a return to the institution following a distinguished career in international research, innovation, and industrial strategy. Pearson’s leadership spans government, corporate, and higher education sectors, including roles as Chief Scientist and Chief Innovation Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and CEO of ANU Enterprise.

In 2018, she was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (FTSE) for her contributions to bridging the gap between scientific research and commercial translation in Australia.