Emeritus Professor
Citation delivered by Professor G.Q. Max Lu AO, Vice-Chancellor and President, at the University of Wollongong on the occasion of the admission of Grace McCarthy as an Emeritus Professor on 23 April 2026.
Deputy Chancellor, I present to you Professor Grace McCarthy.
Enduring academic leadership is measured not only by ideas advanced, but by the people empowered, the cultures shaped, and the bridges built between scholarship and practice. Over a distinguished career at the University of Wollongong, Grace has exemplified these qualities through sustained excellence in teaching, research, leadership, and global engagement.
Appointed Professor in January 2019, Grace served the University with distinction until her retirement in July 2025, making a profound contribution to its intellectual life and strategic direction. Her leadership journey at UOW included senior roles as Dean of the Sydney Business School, Dean of the School of Business, and, most recently, Interim Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law. In these roles, she guided the University through periods of significant change, leading with transparency, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to integrity.
Grace’s scholarly work has achieved international recognition and impact, particularly in the fields of managerial coaching, leadership, mentoring, and organisational behaviour. She is the author of two influential books and many scholarly publications that have shaped both academic debate and professional practice.
Her research, grounded in industry experience and academic rigour, continues to inform leadership development programs and business education worldwide. She has supervised numerous higher degree research candidates to completion and is widely respected for the care, clarity, and encouragement she brings to research mentoring.
An award-winning educator, Grace has been recognised nationally for her innovative approaches to teaching and learning, including coaching-based pedagogies that promote reflective and authentic learning. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led the transition to online teaching, ensuring continuity, quality, and student engagement. Her commitment to inclusive curriculum design is reflected in her work integrating Indigenous perspectives into postgraduate programs.
More broadly, Grace has been a tireless advocate for gender equity, inclusive leadership, and global collaboration. She has led major initiatives supporting women’s leadership, contributed to international accreditation and quality assurance processes, and played a pivotal role in strengthening UOW’s transnational education partnerships across Australia, Dubai, India, and Malaysia. Since retirement, she has continued to serve the University through mentoring, research collaboration, and international leadership roles.
Grace’s career embodies the University of Wollongong’s commitment to excellence, equity, global engagement, and service. Her legacy is one of empowered people, strengthened institutions, and enduring impact.
Deputy Chancellor, it is my privilege to present Professor Grace McCarthy for admission as an Emeritus Professor.