The University of Melbourne is mourning the loss of its first female vice chancellor, Professor Emma Johnston, who passed away at the age of 52 after a battle with cancer. Johnston, a renowned marine ecologist and “visionary leader in science and research,” had been appointed to the role in February 2025, succeeding Duncan Maskell.
Johnston’s tenure, though brief, was marked by her dedication to advancing the university’s mission. She was known for her optimism and strategic vision, having finalized a resilience strategy for the institution just weeks before her passing. Her death represents a significant loss not only to the university but to the broader academic and scientific communities.
A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation
Emma Johnston’s career was distinguished by numerous achievements. She served as a director of the CSIRO and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and she was a key author of the State of Environment Report. Her academic contributions include 185 peer-reviewed journal articles and the supervision of over 35 higher degree students.
Before her role at the University of Melbourne, Johnston held significant positions at other leading institutions. She was the pro vice-chancellor (research) and dean of science at the University of New South Wales and the deputy vice-chancellor (research) at the University of Sydney from 2022 to 2024.
“Emma’s career was marked by brilliant achievements, but her family was her greatest joy. Our hearts go out to her husband and children,” said University of Sydney Vice Chancellor Professor Mark Scott.
Commitment to Education and Equality
Johnston was celebrated for her unwavering commitment to students and her efforts to tackle cost-of-living pressures, enhance scholarships, and support research. University of Melbourne Chancellor Jane Hansen highlighted Johnston’s dedication to student success and her passion for hearing their stories.
“She did everything she could to ensure they 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,” Hansen said.
Johnston was also a staunch advocate for women in science, promoting opportunities for women and girls to study and excel in the field. Her efforts have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of marine communities and coastal waterways.
National and International Impact
The Group of Eight universities described Johnston’s passing as an “unfathomable loss for Australia’s higher education and research community.” Vicki Thomson, Chief Executive of the Group, praised Johnston’s brilliance in science, principled leadership, and generosity as a colleague and mentor.
“Emma was simply amazing – brilliant in her science, principled in her leadership, and unfailingly generous as a colleague and mentor. Our heartfelt grief is shared across the nation’s universities and beyond,” Thomson said.
Johnston’s accolades include being made an officer of the Order of Australia in 2018 for her services to higher education, particularly in marine ecology and eco-toxicology. In 2022, she was elected a fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, underscoring her impact and contributions to the field.
Remembering a Visionary
In a heartfelt obituary, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering CEO Kylie Walker and UNSW Professor Rob Brooks reflected on Johnston’s aspirations and the impact of her work.
“Emma wanted nothing less than to save the world – but like the ocean – in the end she could only do so much. Emma’s final months were marked by a fierce doubling-down on this mission – she understood that she was running out of time. Only 52 years old when she left us after a brief and brutal illness, she still wasn’t done with parenting, with saving the oceans and the planet, with nurturing and uplifting the next generation, or with remaking the Australian research and higher education landscape into something magnificent,” they wrote.
As the academic community reflects on her contributions, Johnston’s legacy will continue through the work of her students, colleagues, and the many lives she touched. Her vision and dedication to science and education will remain an inspiration for future generations.
