Academic leaders

Professor Helmut Lueckenhausen

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global, Academic

Professor Emeritus Helmut Lueckenhausen is Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic at Torrens University and Deputy Director Academic Think Education. He leads the academic team within the Office of the Vice-Chancellor covering the Centre for Learning, Teaching & Scholarship, Learning Services and chairs the Retention Project, the Executive Learning and Teaching Committee and the Academic Policy and Appeals Committees of the Academic Board.

Professor Lueckenhausen has many years’ experience in the academic aspects of design, from a lecturer in 3D Design to Dean, Faculty of Design at Swinburne University of Technology. Helmut led the Faculty (previously the National School of Design) into becoming a significant international force in the field of design, including increasing onshore international student numbers eightfold as well setting up programs in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore. Successful programs were similarly set up with Billy Blue in Sydney. Helmut led the establishment of the National Institute for Design Research, and the development of new policies and programs for design practice-led research and re-introduced the Swinburne School of Film and Television.

Professor Lueckenhausen was Pro Vice-Chancellor Internationalisation at Swinburne, providing senior academic leadership and advocacy including curriculum developments, staff capability, graduate attributes, and the research endeavour. Previous to this role, he was Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak.

Professor Lueckenhausen is a leading exponent in the field of studio furniture and design for wood, having maintained a regular national and international lecture program, including forum, conference and workshop presentations. His work is in the collections of the Australian National Gallery and state collections throughout Australia. He was honoured with a survey exhibition of his life’s work 11 April – 11 June 2015 by the Art Gallery of Warrnambool.

Professor Greg Harper

At Torrens, Dr Greg Harper is Dean, Business & Hospitality, following his role as Pro Vice-Chancellor, Business and Entrepreneurship. In this role, he provides educational and academic leadership for Torrens University’s business and hospitality programs. A key focus is the growth of these programs in Australia by providing programs that ensure students are both very employable and resourceful.

These highly valued programs will be delivered in most capital cities and online. A second key focus is developing executive learning and development programs for organisations in Australia. The final key focus is the development of strategies to foster and facilitate industry engagement across the University to enhance the employment outcomes of graduates and to promote industry-engaged research.

Dr Harper is a highly experienced educator, executive, leader, and consultant. The former General Manager of Swinburne Industry Solutions, Greg has held a number of senior executive positions in the public and private sectors: for example, Chief Executive of a large Queensland TAFE Institute and a Senior Executive in the Queensland Department of Education and Training. He is a highly experienced organisational development consultant having worked with some of Australia’s leading corporations. As a leader, Greg’s focus is on developing people by providing coaching and developmental assignments.

Professor Scott Thompson-Whiteside

Executive Dean, Design and Creative Technology

Scott has more than 20 years of academic experience, leading various programs, schools and faculties across Europe, Asia and Australia. Trained as an industrial designer, he moved into design management and later acquired a PhD from the Centre for Studies in Higher Education at University of Melbourne. Scott is a strong advocate for internationalisation, industry-engaged teaching, high-quality student outcomes and interdisciplinary research. His own research interests intersect the disciplines of design education, higher education policy, design strategy and innovation.

Professor Matthew Mundy

Matthew joined Torrens University Australia in October 2022. He brings a breadth and depth of academic experience from his previous roles as Academic Director for Monash Online and Education Director for Psychology at Monash University. A cognitive neuroscientist by training, he has built an international reputation for expertise in human learning and memory; as well as in education-focused research of teaching and learning innovation. Prof Mundy’s aim is to infuse research-driven change into tertiary teaching, through understanding of the psychological science behind learning and memory. He is particularly driven to ensure healthy mental health and wellbeing sit alongside effective and engaging learning ensuring high quality outcomes for all students. Prof Mundy studied Psychology and Neuroscience (BSc Hons, MSc) at the University of Liverpool (England) and obtained his PhD in Psychology from Cardiff University (Wales).

Professor Kerry London

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research

Professor Kerry London joined the Torrens University Australia as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) in September 2020. She brings an extensive tertiary experience having held a number of senior leadership roles across Australian Universities.

Professor London is a prolific researcher and an international leader in her research field of the built environment, and particularly design collaboration, project management, technology adoption, ethics, supply chain economics and internationalisation.

She has authored more than 200 peer review publications and currently holds six Australian Research Council grants. She graduated from the University of Newcastle with Bachelor of Science (Architecture), Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Building (Research) and was awarded a PhD from University of Melbourne, Australia.

Dipu Sebastian, PhD

Executive Dean, Global

Dipu Sebastian is a highly experienced executive, leader, consultant and academic and has held a number of senior management positions in academia and industry. He is currently the Executive Dean-Global at Torrens University Australia (TUA) where his role is to build and leverage global academic and industry networks and relationships in key markets. Dipu’s research interest includes transnational education and higher education learning and teaching.

Prior to his appointment current position at TUA, Dipu has worked in senior management and professorial level academic positions within the University sector. He also serves on boards of other Australian higher education providers and has previously consulted with a number of education providers, global companies and international government agencies. He was the director of the largest international student recruitment company in South Asia with a network of over 60 offices across nine countries. After graduating with Bachelor of Science majoring in Computer Science, Statistics and Mathematics, Dipu completed his MBA with Queensland University of Technology, MEd with Griffith University and a PhD with Deakin University.