The Vice Chancellor and President is the Chief Executive Officer of the University and is responsible to the Council of the University
As Vice Chancellor, Professor Carolyn Evans is responsible for:
- articulating a clear strategic direction for the University
- providing academic and administrative leadership
- maintaining a focus on quality
- engendering a collegial community amongst staff and students
- fostering effective relationships with stakeholders
- ensuring sound financial management and stewardship of resources.
The Vice Chancellor also has a number of statutory responsibilities and accountabilities outlined in the Griffith University Act 1998 and other relevant state and commonwealth legislation and is involved in the following associations.
The Vice Chancellor is a member of Universities Australia the forum of the chief executive officers of Australia's universities. Universities Australia promotes the needs, interests and purpose of Australian universities and develops policy positions and guidelines on higher education matters.
Alongside the vice chancellors of the other six member institutions of Innovative Research Universities, the Vice Chancellor is heavily involved in the work of this national alliance of research-based universities each of which has comprehensive disciplinary coverage and a strong commitment to innovation and an inter-disciplinary focus.
Reports to university council
Browse the Vice Chancellor's reports for the past five years
News
January 18, 2021
Music student up for Young Australian of the Year
Griffith University student William Clarke and his brother Daniel have been nominated for the upcoming Young Australian of the Year awards for their conservation work. The pair launched a campaign to help protect critically endangered orangutan populations in Borneo and Sumatra. William and Daniel w...
January 13, 2021
Human rights advocate inspires next generation
Dr Shahram Dana is using the lessons he learnt at the United Nations to inspire the next generation of crusading legal eagles. A deeply personal passion The senior law lecturer is a lifelong advocate of international human rights, a passion instilled at an early age. As members of the Baha’i Faith, ...
December 22, 2020
Griffith creatives are job-ready thanks to industry placement
A trio of talented Griffith creatives are ready for the world of work following an intensive four-week internship with a global advertising agency.
December 15, 2020
Soccer star wins scholarship to study at Griffith
Soccer star Clare Polkinghorne has won a scholarship to help her juggle elite sporting commitments with criminology studies at Griffith.
Events
January 18, 2021
Music student up for Young Australian of the Year
Griffith University student William Clarke and his brother Daniel have been nominated for the upcoming Young Australian of the Year awards for their conservation work. The pair launched a campaign to help protect critically endangered orangutan populations in Borneo and Sumatra. William and Daniel w...
January 13, 2021
Human rights advocate inspires next generation
Dr Shahram Dana is using the lessons he learnt at the United Nations to inspire the next generation of crusading legal eagles. A deeply personal passion The senior law lecturer is a lifelong advocate of international human rights, a passion instilled at an early age. As members of the Baha’i Faith, ...
December 22, 2020
Griffith creatives are job-ready thanks to industry placement
A trio of talented Griffith creatives are ready for the world of work following an intensive four-week internship with a global advertising agency.
December 15, 2020
Soccer star wins scholarship to study at Griffith
Soccer star Clare Polkinghorne has won a scholarship to help her juggle elite sporting commitments with criminology studies at Griffith.
Inviting the Vice Chancellor to your event
External organisations
The Office of the Vice Chancellor is happy to receive enquiries about the Vice Chancellor’s availability for your event. If you wish to invite the Vice Chancellor, it is important to test a date as early as possible by emailing vcappointments@griffith.edu.au.
Staff
Any staff wishing to invite any dignitaries to officiate at an event must complete a Dignitary Invitation Request available on Griffith events.
Honouring remarkable griffith people
We honour remarkable people for success in their respective fields
University executive
Professor Carolyn Evans
Vice Chancellor and President
Professor Debra Henly
Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor
Professor Mario Pinto
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research)
Mr Peter Bryant
Chief Operating Officer
Dr Peter Binks
Vice President (Industry and External Engagement)
Professor Scott Harrison
Pro Vice Chancellor (Arts, Education and Law)
Professor David Grant
Pro Vice Chancellor (Business)
Professor Sheena Reilly AM
Pro Vice Chancellor (Health)
Professor Andrew T Smith
Pro Vice Chancellor (Sciences)
Professor Sarah Todd
Vice President (Global)
Professor Cindy Shannon AM
Pro Vice Chancellor (Indigenous)
Former vice chancellors
Griffith owes much of its success to the outstanding leadership of its former Vice Chancellors
Strategic directions
The Strategic Plan provides the blueprint for this University's development through to our 50th anniversary in 2025, and beyond. It reflects our intent to be more confident in the expression of our strong values, to be more distinctive from our competitors, to be more ambitious in our aspirations for the future, and to be a university renowned for its commitment to excellence, ethical behaviour and engagement.
- Strategic plans for the core businesses of the University are available through the Plans and publications page.
- Operational and implementation plans and reports are available to Griffith users only via the Staff portal.
Contact the Office of the Vice Chancellor

Office of the Vice Chancellor
Leneen Forde Chancellery (G34)
Griffith University
Gold Coast campus
Southport Qld 4222

Office of the Vice Chancellor
Bray Centre (N54)
Griffith University
170 Kessels Road
Nathan Qld 4111