Distinguished alumni
Peter Dawkins
BSc Economics 1975
Vice-Chancellor and President, Victoria University
Peter received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012 for his contribution and commitment to economic and social policy issues.
Peter began his post-degree teaching career at Loughborough University where he lectured in economics. He moved to Australia in 1984 and worked for six years in high level leadership roles for the Victorian Government followed by 28 years in the university sector.
Peter’s research and writing has covered such issues as education, human capital, labour markets, unemployment, tax and welfare, innovation and productivity. Most recently his writing has focused on federalism and education policy.
Peter has held professorships in economics at Curtin University in Western Australia and the University of Melbourne, where he was Director of the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research. He was elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia for his research on Australian economic and social policy issues.
Peter has served on a range of committees and boards in Australia, including the Prime Minister Science Engineering and Innovation Council from 2003-2005, and the Curriculum and Assessment Authority Board from 2006-2010. He also served as Chair on the committee that produced the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians for the Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs.
He is a member of the boards of the Business Higher Education Round Table and the World Association of Cooperative Education.
In 2011 Peter became Vice-Chancellor and President of Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.