Prof Birgit Lohmann
Birgit is the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor of University of the Sunshine Coast. She has had academic and management roles at the Australian National University, Murdoch University, Griffith University and the University of Adelaide. Birgit also previously served in several leadership roles including Head of the School of Science and Director of the Centre for Quantum Dynamics at Griffith University, and Pro Vice Chancellor (Learning and Quality) at the University of Adelaide. She is a graduate of the University of Adelaide (Honours degree in Physics), and of Flinders University (Ph D in Atomic Physics).
What do you see as the biggest opportunities on the Sunshine Coast in the next two years?
The opportunities afforded by our brilliant new tertiary teaching hospital, the Sunshine Coast University Hospital; further expansion of our university in terms of footprint and breadth of offerings; and the new CBD with its emphasis on smart city infrastructure.
What made you want to join the RDA committee?
I’m a passionate believer in the transformational power of education for the individual and for the community, and in the tremendous benefits that game-changing research can deliver. Our RDA Committee acknowledges education and research as really important pillars for delivering better outcomes for the Sunshine Coast, and I’m keen to be part of facilitating those outcomes.
If you could change one thing about the Sunshine Coast what would it be?
I’d like to see much greater collaboration across stakeholders in the region – RDA, community, business, local government and the university and other education providers. Working together I think we can achieve much more for our region.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Something I heard at a leadership workshop: “The world is run by the people who turn up”.