Western Sydney University appoints three Executive Deans in transformative move to three faculties
Western Sydney University has announced three new Executive Deans, who will be instrumental in sharpening the University’s focus on meeting the needs of students, staff and the community in a transformative move to three faculties.
The appointment of Professor Kevin Dunn, Distinguished Professor Brian Falzon, and Professor Sarah Lewis marks an exciting new chapter for the University.
As senior academic leaders, their representation will ensure a continued strong academic voice around the decision-making table which emphasises the University’s commitment to quality teaching, learning and research.
Professor Kevin Dunn has been named Executive Dean for the Faculty of Social Science, Arts, Business, Education and Law (SABEL). The Faculty will comprise the Schools of Social Sciences, Humanities and Communication Arts, Education, Business, and Law.
In his current role as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Transformation Professor Dunn provides leadership and responsibility for the twelve academic schools, Whitlam Institute and The College.
Joining Western Sydney University in 2008 as Professor of Human Geography and Urban Studies, Professor Dunn has since held roles as Provost from 2024-2025, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) from 2019 to 2023 and Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Psychology between 2012 and 2019.
His areas of research include the racism and anti-racism, immigration and settlement, Islam in Australia, and local government and multiculturalism. Recent books include Cyber Racism and Community Resilience and Landscapes: Ways of Imagining the World, and his recent articles are published in New Media and Society, Geoforum, Geographical Research, Australian Journal of Islamic Studies and the Urban Policy and Research. He is a Fellow of the New South Wales Geographical Society and past President. For twenty years he has led the national and multi-agency Challenging Racism Project.
Professor Dunn is accomplished in cross institutional leadership and has a track record of lifting disciplines to the highest levels of national standing and global esteem.
Distinguished Professor Brian Falzon will become Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science (ECS) comprising the Schools of Science, Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences, and Engineering, Design and Built Environment.
Distinguished Professor Falzon is a world-leading researcher in the field of advanced composite materials and aerospace structures and is currently the Dean of Engineering, Design and Built Environment.
He brings to this new role a track record of visionary and strategic senior leadership experience gained at top-tier Australian and United Kingdom academic institutions. Recognised in the top 1 per cent of cited researchers in the field of Material Science, he has worked extensively at the nexus of academia, industry and government, consistently supporting place-based innovation, leading transformative initiatives, and facilitating large-scale collaborations in Europe and Australia.
Distinguished Professor Falzon has been honoured with the title of ‘Distinguished Professor’ at both RMIT University and Western Sydney University, reflecting his reputation for impactful research which has benefited major industry primes such as Boeing, Airbus and QinetiQ, and organisations such as the UK’s Ministry of Defence, Australia’s Department of Defence, and NASA.
Professor Sarah Lewis will take on the role of Executive Dean of the Faculty for Health comprising the Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Midwifery, Health Sciences, and Psychology.
Professor Lewis is a senior career academic and researcher, registered diagnostic radiographer, and currently the Dean of Health Sciences and and Provost of the Campbelltown Campus.
Previously, she had a distinguished academic career in the Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney as Associate Dean Research Performance and Head of Medical Imaging Sciences.
Professor Sarah Lewis holds research, education and health practitioner qualifications, with a PhD in Medical Imaging, a Master of Education with Distinction and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Diagnostic Radiography) Honours. She is a proud Franklin Women mentor and the past Deputy Editor of Australia’s only medical radiation practice journal, the Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences.
A passionate clinician and educator, her work has contributed significantly to the advancement of national health workforce systems, particularly in areas of accreditation and registration standards.
The new faculty structure will be fully implemented by 1 January 2026.
ENDS
2 July 2025
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