August 19, 2021

Former UOW Vice-Chancellor to receive Honorary Doctorate from University of East Anglia

Degree planned for conferral in-person in UK during 2022

Former University of Wollongong (UOW) Vice-Chancellor, Emeritus Professor Paul Wellings CBE, will receive an honorary Doctor of Science from his alma mater, the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich, United Kingdom. 

The degree was announced on Wednesday 18 August 2021 ahead of its planned conferral in person in the UK in 2022. 

UEA alumnus Professor Paul Wellings left UEA in 1981 to come to Australia where he was appointed as a population ecologist with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) where he focused on insect pest management using biological control methods. 

Over his career he has advised Australian and British Governments on aspects of higher education, innovation, and research policy. 

Professor Wellings served as CSIRO Deputy Chief Executive before becoming Vice-Chancellor of UK’s Lancaster University and then the University of Wollongong over the period 1999-2021. 

Following the announcement, Professor Wellings said: “I am truly delighted to be awarded an honorary degree by the university which did so much to give me the skills which have shaped my career. At UEA, I was extraordinarily fortunate to have the support of an outstanding PhD supervisor, Professor Tony Dixon, and to work in his laboratory surrounded by so many talented people.” 

Professor Wellings also offered some advice for young graduates embarking on their careers. 

“Be ready to say yes to opportunity. Careers are non-linear. You need to be prepared to lean on doors which are ajar and to make a difference to those people around you.” 

Professor Wellings received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Lancaster University in 2014 and from the University of Wollongong in 2021 and an Honorary Doctorate of the University from the University of Surrey in 2019.