UOW’s Distinguished Professors launch alliance to boost early and mid-career research opportunities

The University of Wollongong (UOW) is home to fourteen Distinguished Professors, each recognised as being in the top one percent of their fields.

This group has now established the Distinguished Professors Alliance to offer their assistance and leverage the depth of their global connections and create opportunities for early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) at UOW.

In a statement upon establishing the group the team said, “We acknowledge the financial challenges UOW is currently facing and remain dedicated to fostering a sustainable future for the university. Through our commitment to world-class research, global collaboration, and community engagement, we aim to preserve UOW’s reputation while supporting emerging opportunities and creating lasting benefits for the Illawarra and beyond,”

“Our goal is to provide practical and positive contributions to position UOW research in a competitive global environment, and we will actively communicate our message to communities connected to UOW,” Professor Gordon Wallace said.

“We recognise that many of our colleagues across UOW are also working hard to rebuild confidence and credibility in UOW research, and the goal is to collaborate and amplify these efforts.”

The network aims to harness the depth and diversity of the connections built over a collective 250 years of research experience to facilitate opportunities for EMCRs.

Each of the Distinguished Professors welcomes direct contact to discuss ways they may be able to facilitate connections and opportunities.

The directory of Distinguished Professors Alliance is here.

UOW’s Distinguished Professors are:

• David J. Adams - Physiology, pharmacology, neuroscience
• Noel Cressie - Data science; spatio-temporal statistics; environmental remote sensing
• Xu-Feng Huang - Neuroscience and molecular nutrition
• Zhengyi Jiang - Advanced manufacturing, innovative composites and tribology
• Stuart Kaye - International law
• Anthony Okely - Global Child Health, physical activity, health guidelines
• Richard Roberts – Quaternary geochronology, archaeological science, human evolution, indigenous heritage
• Sharon Robinson AM - Climate change biology, Antarctic Science, Environmental effects of Ozone depletion
• Anatoly Rozenfeld - Medical physics, radiation physics, radiation detection, space radiation effects, space medicine
• Aidan Sims - Theoretical quantum mathematics, operator algebra
• Willy Susilo - Cybersecurity and Cryptography
• Gordon Wallace AO - Materials Science and new technologies for Energy and Health
• Xiaolin Wang - Quantum materials, advanced materials, and condensed matter physics
• Shujun Zhang - Dielectric materials, ferroelectric materials, piezoelectric sensing

In 2025 the Distinguished Professors Alliance will host a series of events highlighting emerging global research opportunities. These events will bring together senior researchers and EMCRs as well as the local community. If you’re interested in being involved, contact Prof Gordon Wallace at: gwallace@uow.edu.au

Learn more about the Distinguished Professors group in their profile booklet here.