Professor Geraldine Mackenzie is Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southern Queensland. Prior to joining the University in September 2017 she was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Southern Cross University.  

Professor Mackenzie returned to USQ having been Foundation Head of the University’s School of Law in 2007 and 2008, before she took up senior executive positions at Bond University: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business and Community Engagement), and Executive Dean, Faculty of Law. Prior to joining USQ in 2007, she held various senior roles at QUT, and served on QUT Council for nine years. She has a strong commitment to widening participation in higher education, particularly in Australia’s regional areas, flexible learning opportunities and encouraging a strong link between the University and business, industry and the community. She is currently Deputy Chair of the Board of the Ipswich Hospital Foundation, and a member of the Board of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise. 

Professor Mackenzie has a PhD in sentencing law from the University of New South Wales and many years’ experience teaching in higher education. Her research interests are in law and public policy.  A Barrister-at-Law and lawyer since 1985, she is a member of the Queensland Bar Association, American Bar Association and the International Bar Association.

Professor Mackenzie has held a number of senior positions at State and Federal level including Deputy Chair, Universities Australia DVC (Research) Committee;  Co-Chair, Universities Australia Executive Women; Chair, NSW DVC (Research) Committee; Chair, RUN Research group; Chair, RUN Executive Women; Chair, Humanities and Creative Arts panel, Australian Research Council College of Experts; Chair, Queensland Selection Panel American/Australian Fulbright Commission, and was an executive member of the Council of Australian Law Deans.