New Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research
AUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Damon Salesa has announced Professor Mark Orams will become the university’s new Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research.
“Mark is well known across AUT and brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to the role, along with his trademark values-based leadership. His appointment follows a global search and Mark impressed the panel with his passion for research and for AUT’s ākonga and staff,” says Damon.
A career in academia spanning two decades includes research focused on the development of coastal and marine recreation tourism, ocean-based sports, marine conservation, and environmental education in New Zealand and overseas.
Mark has expressed his delight at the opportunity to contribute to our university in the exciting and critical area of research.
“We have achieved an enormous amount over the past two decades as a university. Our research has grown impressively and, most importantly, this research is making a difference to the education of our students and our wider communities of practice. This success is due to the hard work of our staff and our research students.
“Our next chapter will be even more exciting as we grow our research capabilities and contributions.”
“I am grateful to have the opportunity step into this DVC R role to help our university whānau continue with this important work,” says Mark.
Marks’s academic positions include Head of School and Associate Dean roles at AUT and a stint at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where he served as Dean of Graduate Research. On his return to New Zealand Mark became AUT’s Dean of the Graduate Research School and has also served as Interim Dean at the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences.
A well-known media commentator, Mark – often referred to as the ‘Sailing Professor’ has been a central figure during successive Americas Cup events.