Annabelle Duncan (born in

Nelson Nelson may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Nelson'' (1918 film), a historical film directed by Maurice Elvey * ''Nelson'' (1926 film), a historical film directed by Walter Summers * ''Nelson'' (opera), an opera by Lennox Berkeley to a lib ...

, New Zealand in 1953), is a

microbiologist A microbiologist (from Greek ) is a scientist who studies microscopic life forms and processes. This includes study of the growth, interactions and characteristics of microscopic organisms such as bacteria, algae, fungi, and some types of par ...

who held the post of

Vice-Chancellor A chancellor is a leader of a college or university, usually either the executive or ceremonial head of the university or of a university campus within a university system. In most Commonwealth and former Commonwealth nations, the chancellor is ...

at the

University of New England University of New England may refer to: * University of New England (Australia), in New South Wales, with about 18,000 students * University of New England (United States), in Biddeford, Maine, with about 3,000 students See also *New England Colle ...

(UNE) from 2014-2019.

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 , image_name = University of Otago Registry Building2.jpg , image_size = , caption = University clock tower , motto = la, Sapere aude , mottoeng = Dare to be wise , established = 1869; 152 years ago , type = Public research collegiate u ...

, however changed to

microbiology Microbiology () is the scientific study of microorganisms, those being unicellular (single cell), multicellular (cell colony), or acellular (lacking cells). Microbiology encompasses numerous sub-disciplines including virology, bacteriology, ...

, completing a

Master of Science A Master of Science ( la, Magisterii Scientiae; abbreviated MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., SM, S.M., ScM or Sc.M.) is a master's degree in the field of science awarded by universities in many countries or a person holding such a degree. In contrast ...

thesis on antiobiotic-resistant bacteria. She moved to Australia in 1981 or 1982 and completed her doctorate at

La Trobe University La Trobe University is a public university, public research university based in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia. Its main campus is located in the suburb of Bundoora, Victoria, Bundoora. The university was established in 196 ...

and a postdoctorate at

Monash University Monash University () is a public research university based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Named for prominent World War I general Sir John Monash, it was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. The university h ...

Academic and employment career

Working with the

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is an Australian Government agency responsible for scientific research. CSIRO works with leading organisations around the world. From its headquarters in Canberra, CSIRO ...

(CSIRO) for 16 years, Duncan's role included Chief of the Division of Molecular Science. At the

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is the department of the Australian federal government responsible for foreign policy and relations, international aid (using the branding Australian Aid), consular services and trade and i ...

(DFAT) (2005-2008) she was an advisor on

biological weapons A biological agent (also called bio-agent, biological threat agent, biological warfare agent, biological weapon, or bioweapon) is a bacterium, virus, protozoan, parasite, fungus, or toxin that can be used purposefully as a weapon in bioterrori ...

control. She travelled to Iraq as a biological weapons inspector for the

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizi ...

during the

Gulf War The Gulf War was a 1990–1991 armed campaign waged by a Coalition of the Gulf War, 35-country military coalition in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Spearheaded by the United States, the coalition's efforts against Ba'athist Iraq, ...

. 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. 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..." In September 2018 UNE announced Duncan would not be renewing her contract in 2019. 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 Murdoch University is a public university in Perth, Western Australia, with campuses also in Singapore and Dubai. It began operations as the state's second university on 25 July 1973, and accepted its first undergraduate students in 1975. Its n ...

(2005) and

(2019).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Duncan, Annabelle Fellows of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering University of New England (Australia) faculty 1953 births Living people People from Nelson, New Zealand La Trobe University alumni University of Otago alumni New Zealand emigrants to Australia Australian microbiologists Australian women biologists Women microbiologists New Zealand microbiologists New Zealand women scientists New Zealand academic administrators Australian academic administrators