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Distinguished Professor
Vice-Chancellor and President
Globally recognised chemical engineer and advanced materials scientist Professor Max Lu AO returns to Australia to take up his role as the sixth Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Wollongong (UOW) in late May 2025. He brings to the position more than 35 years of academic leadership, research excellence and deep engagement with industry.
Professor Lu has served as President and Vice- Chancellor of the University of Surrey in the UK since 2016. Before that, he spent two decades at the University of Queensland, holding senior leadership positions including Pro Vice- Chancellor (Research Linkages), Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Research) and Provost and Senior Vice-President.
In 2018, Professor Lu was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by UOW for his academic and industry achievements in chemical and advanced materials engineering and leadership in higher education. He has a long-standing relationship with UOW, including chairing the review of its Global Challenges Initiative in 2017 and serving as a member of the University Global Partnership Network.
In recognition of his contributions to science and education, Professor Lu was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2017 for distinguished service to education, international research and Australia-China relations.
An internationally renowned researcher in nanotechnology and materials science, Professor Lu has published more than 600 peer-reviewed journal articles and holds 25 international patents, several of which are licensed or being commercialised for energy and environmental applications. He is a highly cited researcher with an extensive record of collaboration with industry.
He founded the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials and served as its inaugural director for eight years. He was awarded the prestigious ARC Federation Fellowship in both 2003 and 2008.
Professor Lu has also served on the UK Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology, was a Director of UK Research and Innovation, and was a member of the Australian Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council. He is an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.
Professor Lu graduated with a Bachelor of Metallurgical Engineering in 1983 and a Master of Thermal Engineering in 1986 from Northeastern University, China. He completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland in 1991.
Senior Executive Assistant:
Stacey Thomas
Senior Executive Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor
Ph: +61 2 4221 3909
Email: stacey_thomas@uow.edu.au
Location:
The Vice-Chancellor’s Unit
Building 36
University of Wollongong
NSW, 2522, Australia