Professor Keith Nugent

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) is responsible for the development and implementation of strategies, policies and systems to achieve the University’s strategic goals in research and innovation.

The portfolio's key roles are to:

• Provide leadership and oversight of the University’s research strategies to deliver high quality research outcomes and impact
• Provide leadership and oversight of the University's strategies in commercialisation, intellectual property, industry and business engagement 
• Establish and foster strategic partnerships with Australian and international agencies, alliances and external partners that will enhance the University’s strategic goals
• Work collaboratively with College Heads to ensure that ANU attracts and retains outstanding researchers and provides research facilities and infrastructure within an innovative research environment
• Ensure that Higher Degree by Research students receive research training programs of the highest quality and deliver high levels of student satisfaction.
• Provide a framework that maintains the highest ethical standards and integrity for the conduct of research.
• Provide leadership and oversight of academic promotions, including policy leadership that supports high quality promotion outcomes.

Professor Nugent has come from his position as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at La Trobe University, where he has been responsible for improving research performance, implementing commercialisation strategies and building relationships with industry partners.

Previously, Professor Nugent has held positions as Laureate Professor of Physics at the University of Melbourne and at the Australian Synchrotron and is a world-renowned researcher, known for his work on x-ray physics.

"We sought to fill this critical role with a person who could continue to build the profile of ANU as a world leading institution for research and development and one who understands the complex systems that support successful research," said former ANU Provost, Professor Mike Calford.

"Professor Nugent has an excellent standing as an individual researcher who is capable of representing ANU at the highest level on the world stage.

He has enjoyed a rapid and distinguished rise in his career, becoming Chair at University of Melbourne at just 34 years of age, elected to the Academy of Science at 41 years of age and twice being honoured as an ARC Federation Fellow.

Professor Nugent has achieved numerous awards and accolades for his research including the Victoria Prize for Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation, the Boas Medal of the Australian Institute of Physics, a Centenary Medal and two R&D100 Awards for Innovation. 

Furthermore, Professor Nugent has a demonstrated track record as a Deputy Vice-Chancellor in research, supporting cross-disciplinary research to deliver outcomes and engage partners."

Completing secondary school in the small town of Batlow (approximately 100km west of Canberra), Professor Nugent said he is passionate about the pastoral role of universities - a role which ANU played for him - and is also committed to empowering gender equality and supporting Indigenous research.

Research Strategy - ANU by 2027