Professor Patricia M. Davidson PhD, MEd, RN, FAAN
Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Wollongong (2021-present)
Professor Patricia M. Davidson was appointed as the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) 5th Vice-Chancellor and President in May 2021, becoming the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University and the first ever alumna to assume the role.
Before becoming UOW’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Davidson has had a long and distinguished career in teaching and research. Her professional journey began with nursing training at Wollongong Hospital in the mid-1970s and continued with a Bachelor of Education and, subsequently, a Master of Education from the University of Wollongong. In 2003, she completed PhD in behavioural sciences. Between 2003 and 2013, Professor Davidson served as an adjunct professor and professor at multiple Australian universities before taking on the position of Professor of Nursing and Dean at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in the United States.
As a global leader in health care and higher education, and advocate for diversity and inclusion, Professor Davidson’s work has focused on person-centred care delivery and the improvement of cardiovascular health outcomes for women and vulnerable populations. In 2021, Professor Davidson was the recipient of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) Distinguished Leader Award in celebration of her exceptional contributions to the advancement of global health worldwide. In June 2022, Professor Davidson was awarded an Honorary Fellowship to the Royal College of Nursing, the world's largest nursing union and professional body. In November 2023, she was selected as a recipient of the 2023 Nell J. Watts Lifetime Achievement in Nursing Award by the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, a global nursing organisation. This accolade acknowledged her work in cardiac nursing and transitional care, as well as her high-profile leadership in higher education and advocacy for nursing. In December 2023, Professor Davidson was appointed to the Research Australia Board, Australia’s peak body for health and medical research and innovation.
As a researcher, Professor Davidson has extensively studied chronic conditions, transitional care, palliative care, and the translation of innovative, acceptable and sustainable health initiatives across the world. The list of publications Professor Davidson has contributed to over the years is vast. She has authored or co-authored more than 700 journal articles and has written nearly 36 book chapters.
On the global advocacy arena, Professor Davidson serves as Counsel General of the International Council on Women’s Health Issues, and was a past board member of CUGH and Secretary General of the Secretariat of the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery.
Since joining UOW, Professor Davidson has been committed to enhancing UOW’s focus on academic and student life and was instrumental in the University embracing the concept of students as partners, which emphasises collaboration, consultation and shared decision-making between students and staff.
Professor Davidson has also worked hard to advance reconciliation and a better future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities in Australia through education, research and partnerships. In 2022, she initiated a flexible and respectful work arrangement for Australia Day, granting UOW employees the choice to work on 26 January instead of taking the day off in a show of respect for First Nations people.
Support staff contact:
Jordan Matthews
Chief of Staff
Ph: +61 2 4221 3110
Email: jordan_matthews@uow.edu.au
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.