Chancellor Catherine Branson reappointed for second term

The University of Adelaide Council has announced the reappointment of former Federal Court Judge and Crown Solicitor of South Australia, The Honourable Catherine Branson AC QC, as Chancellor for a further two years.

The unanimous decision by the University’s Council to reappoint Ms Branson, the institution’s 17th Chancellor, for a second term – until 12 July 2024– comes as the University continues to implement its strategic plan while emerging from the financial and logistical constraints created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I thank my fellow Council members for their ongoing support. I look forward to what we can achieve together,"University of Adelaide Chancellor, Catherine Branson AC QC

“I feel honoured and privileged to have been entrusted with this role for a further term,’’ Ms Branson said.

“Under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Hoj, the University is working hard to address the challenges created by the pandemic while also focussing on our longer-term strategic priorities - growing and diversifying our student cohort, pursuing growth in research income and expenditure aligned with industry and community need, and becoming more locally and globally connected.

"I thank my fellow Council members for their ongoing support. I look forward to what we can achieve together," she said.

University of Adelaide Deputy Chancellor Mr David Hill said “The University Council and Community is delighted Catherine has agreed to be reappointed as Chancellor for a further two years. Cathy is a leader of the highest integrity. Her unwavering commitment, strategic vision and passion for diversity, inclusion and equity have been instrumental in navigating the University through a challenging period, internally and externally. The pandemic, regulatory reform and an evolving geopolitical landscape necessitate agility, optimism and foresight from today’s University Leaders. Cathy exemplifies these qualities, combined with a passion to innovate and transform while remaining true to our core purpose to excel as a world class teaching and research institution. I have every confidence the University will continue to thrive under the leadership of Catherine Branson and Peter Hoj.” 

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Peter Hoj, said “The University of Adelaide is an institution of utmost importance for South Australia and Chancellor Branson has always been unrelenting in her drive to make it the very best it can be with a principled approach, deep dedication and enormous personal effort, no more so than over the last two years. I have appreciated the very strong support Chancellor Branson has given me in my first year as Vice-Chancellor and I very much look forward to extending our synergistic partnership for the benefit of the University of Adelaide and South Australia during her strongly endorsed and deserved second term as Chancellor of this global top1% institution.”

Ms Branson, a Law and Arts graduate of the University of Adelaide, joined the University Council in 2013 and became Deputy Chancellor in 2017. She became Chancellor in 2020.

Biographical facts – The Honourable Catherine Branson AC QC

The Hon. Catherine Branson was raised on a farm near Hallett in the mid-north of South Australia, graduated from the University of Adelaide in both Law (1970) and Arts (1977), and went on to have a distinguished career in law.

At just 35, Ms Branson became Crown Solicitor of South Australia – and Chief Executive Officer of the Attorney-General's Department – the first female Crown Solicitor in Australia and first female permanent head of a Government department in South Australia.

Ms Branson served for more than 14 years as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia. And, as President of the Australian Human Rights Commission for four years, was a determined advocate for the disadvantaged.

Prior to her appointment as a judge, she practised as a barrister at the Adelaide Bar in South Australia, principally in the areas of administrative law, including discrimination law and commercial law. She was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1992.

Throughout her career Ms Branson has been active in the community, holding senior board positions in numerous organisations involved in human rights as well as her other interests in areas such as the law, health, education and the arts.

She received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Adelaide in 2011 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Australian law and human rights, and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law. Ms Branson received a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) from Flinders University in 2012, and a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) from Macquarie University in 2014.

In 2018 she was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to the judiciary and to the law as an advocate for human rights and civil liberties, to judicial administration and professional development, and to governance roles in tertiary education.