Notice of the passing of the University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor, Professor Emma Johnston AO

The University of Melbourne advises with deep sadness of the passing of Vice-Chancellor, Professor Emma Johnston AO, due to complications associated with cancer.

Professor Johnston commenced as the University of Melbourne’s 21st Vice-Chancellor in February 2025, returning to the University where she completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies, ultimately achieving a Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Ecology.

“We have been greatly comforted in our heartbreak by the outpouring of love and respect for Emma and her work,” a spokesperson for the family said. “We know she touched so many lives and her legacy will continue through the work of her many students, colleagues and mentees.”

View the Professor Emma Johnston Condolence Book and share your own tribute

Professor Johnston established her academic career at the University of New South Wales, where she rose to the positions of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Dean of Science, and at the University of Sydney, where she was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

She had a prominent research profile, specialising in the ecological impacts of human activities in marine ecosystems. She was a chief author of the current State of Environment Report for Australia and has authored 185 peer-reviewed journal articles and supervised more than 35 Higher Degree students.

She was a Director of the CSIRO and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, a Governor of the Ian Potter Foundation, and former President of Science and Technology Australia.

University of Melbourne Chancellor Jane Hansen AO paid tribute to Professor Johnston.

“Professor Johnston made a significant and meaningful contribution during her all too-brief time as our Vice-Chancellor,” Ms Hansen said. “Her extensive experience as a leader in education and research, her understanding of the increasingly complex university environment and her care for our entire community leaves an imprint that belies her short tenure.

“Significantly, Professor Johnston brought a tone of optimism and energy to our University, with her insight, experience and most of all her belief in all who are part of this community.

“She had an unwavering commitment to our students. Be it cost-of-living pressures, to scholarships, to teaching, to their research – she did everything she could to ensure our students were best equipped to achieve their goals. Most of all, she just liked spending time with them to hear their stories. They were her inspiration.

“Emma used her extraordinary communications skills to promote science, belief in the value of science, and the capacity of women and girls to study science as she herself did so brilliantly, helping us to better understand and protect our marine communities and coastal waterways.

“In 11 short months, she helped our University focus its collective intelligence on how best to advance its crucial academic mission, in which she so strongly believed, through a new strategy called Resilience.

“This is a loss not only to our University, the higher education sector, the research and science sectors - but to the nation. It will be felt by all those who had the privilege to know and work with her.”

In 2022, Professor Johnston was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2018 for her distinguished service to higher education, particularly to marine ecology, ecotoxicology and research institutes.

The University will commemorate her significant contributions to the higher education sector at the appropriate time in keeping with the family’s wishes. We will share further updates when available.

In line with arrangements already in place for the holiday period, Professor Michael Wesley will continue in the role of Acting Vice-Chancellor.

The University Council, Executive, and entire University community extends sincere condolences to Professor Johnston’s family, friends and loved ones. We ask that their privacy be respected during this extremely difficult time.

Professor Emma Johnston Fund

If you wish to make a contribution to remember Professor Johnston and continue her legacy, her family has asked for donations to the Professor Emma Johnston Fund.  This has been established by her family within the Australian Communities Foundation and can be accessed here: Professor Emma Johnston Fund.

The fund will honour her lifelong love and commitment to marine ecology, to research and the people behind it and to communicating science.

Granting will be guided by experts who knew and worked with Professor Johnston and will prioritise:

• Supporting early career researchers, particularly women.
• Time-critical research in response to catastrophic events.
• Effective public communication of research findings.

The fund has Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status and all donations are tax deductible.