June 11, 2025
The Group of Eight congratulates Professor Nicola Phillips on her appointment as Vice Chancellor of Adelaide University and looks forward to welcoming Adelaide University as a member of the Go8.
Professor Phillips has served as Provost at the University of Melbourne since 2021, coming from King's College London where she was Vice President and Vice Principal (Education) since 2017. As a member of the King's senior leadership team, she led the development and implementation of a wide-ranging strategy for excellence and innovation in education and the student experience.
Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said:
"Professor Phillips' appointment as Vice Chancellor of the new Adelaide University will further enhance Australia's reputation as a global leader in higher education and research."
"She has had a remarkable academic career and is an expert in the fields of global political economy, global development and global economic governance, and has held numerous leadership positions in world leading institutions."
"This is an exciting and important time for South Australia and our higher education sector. Adelaide University will create quality at the scale needed to deliver far-reaching benefits for Australia's research and higher education; it will play a key role in the nation's push to accelerate the energy transition and enhance our sovereign defence capabilities in an increasingly challenging geopolitical environment."
"Adelaide University will have more resources to deliver the education, skilled workforce and research South Australia and indeed Australia needs to underpin economic growth and social cohesion."
"We also congratulate Professor Peter Høj, Go8 Deputy Chair and University of Adelaide Vice Chancellor, and Professor David Lloyd, Vice Chancellor of the University of South Australia on an exceptional job in successfully bringing about Australia's largest university amalgamation."
"Professor Høj's contribution to the Go8 and the nation's higher education sector more broadly over many decades has been outstanding. His deep understanding of the transformational benefits of education on both individuals and society, and his commitment to building a world class research and commercialisation environment leaves Australia's university sector is a stronger position."
