The University of the Sunshine Coast is celebrating the arrival of two new academic leaders, whose appointments will further boost USC’s reputation for providing world-class teaching and research.

Professor Lorelle Frazer, previously of Griffith University, has become USC’s new Dean and Head of School, School of Business, while Professor Ken Greenwood, previously of James Cook University, is the new Head of School of Social Sciences.

Professor Frazer is regarded as one of Australia’s leading franchising experts and scholars.

She plans to deepen USC’s relationships with the region’s businesses, particularly in tourism, and to build on the school’s popular business short course offerings.

“The Sunshine Coast is predominantly driven by small business and it’s important our academics are working closely with these businesses so we know where the problems are and where we can help,” Professor Frazer said.

“The School of Business spans many disciplines, from financial planning to marketing, so there are many ways we can assist local industry.

“I also really want to focus on tourism because of where we are located. Students can gain placements nearby in areas they really want to work, and academics can engage in research with industry just down the road.”

Professor Frazer is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has previously held positions on the International Society of Franchising board and the ACCC Small Business and Franchising Consultative Committee.

Professor Greenwood plans to use the international experience he gained from previously working in Singapore to inform the teaching agenda at USC’s School of Social Sciences.

“We are creating global citizens, so our objective is to prepare students for the global community in which they will operate,” Professor Greenwood said.

“This means a greater focus on exposing students to different cultures because that is the future of the world, and that could mean more study abroad opportunities.

“But a focus on the region’s needs is equally important, and we need to ensure we continue to produce employees who understand the region’s demands, for example unemployment and the problems associated with it, depression and suicide rates, and the Sunshine Coast’s changing demographic.

“I am particularly interested in what we can do for retirees and how we can enrich their lives.”

Professor Greenwood is a registered psychologist, member of the Australian Psychological Society, foundation member and fellow of the College of Health Psychologists and fellow of the College of Counselling Psychologists.

Both academics started at USC in January 2018.

They join Professor Phil Graham who, in July 2017, was appointed Head of School of Communication and Creative Industries. He was previously Head of Music at QUT and Director of QUT’s Institute for Creative Industries and Innovation before that.

A former musician, Professor Graham has published extensively and attracted multiple Australian Research Council grants since shifting to academia in the late 1990s.

 - Janelle Kirkland