Dear staff,
I am delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Bruce Abernethy as Executive Director, UQ Office of 2032 Games Engagement. After taking some well-deserved leave, Bruce will start in his new role from February 2024.
In his new role, Bruce will lead UQ’s engagement with the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and will serve as Deputy Chair for the UQ Olympic and Paralympic Oversight Committee, reporting to me.
Joining Bruce in the UQ Office of 2032 Games Engagement will be Dr Sharon Hinton, Executive Manager and Professor John Cairney, Deputy Executive Director of the office and in his capacity as Director of the UQ Centre for Olympic and Paralympic Studies.
Brisbane 2032 is a unique opportunity for UQ to play a pivotal role in both ensuring the success of the Games and helping to realise the tremendous benefits they present for Queensland’s economic and social prosperity.
Under Bruce’s stewardship, I know that we will make the most of this opportunity and help build a long-lasting legacy for UQ and Queensland. I encourage you to read more about our Brisbane 2032 strategy and how to get involved via the staff webpages.
Bruce is retiring from his role as the Executive Dean, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences (HaBS) at the end of the month. For those of you who don’t know, Bruce has had a long association with UQ.
He is a first-class Honours graduate of UQ and a University medallist. His previous roles at UQ have included Head of the School of Human Movement Studies and Deputy Executive Dean and Associate Dean (Research) of our previous Faculty of Health Sciences. Over a decade ago, he was appointed to establish the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences.
During this time, under Bruce’s leadership, the Faculty has established an extensive network of relevant government and industry partnerships, is highly rated for its education and research across a broad range of disciplines and professions, and is ranked #2 in the world for sports-related subjects.
Bruce’s leadership in sport science, experimental psychology, and medical and health sciences is internationally acknowledged. He is an International Fellow of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, a Fellow of the Australian Sports Medicine Federation, a Fellow of Exercise and Sport Science Australia, and a Fellow of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was also the Director and inaugural Chair Professor of the Institute of Human Performance at the University of Hong Kong.
I want to acknowledge and sincerely thank Bruce for his significant contribution to the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, and to the broader community over many decades, and for his continued commitment to UQ.
Bruce, enjoy the break and I look forward to working with you when you return next year. Please join me in congratulating Bruce on all that he has achieved as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences.
With best wishes
Debbie
