Academic Board — election of academic staff (levels D or E)

Candidates in ballot paper order

David Goldbaum (Business)

Alexander Solntsev (Science)

Charlene Lobo (Science)

Cristina Caperchione (Health)

Ian Menz (Science)

Lisa Pont (Health)

Vinay Patel (Business)

Sebastian Oberst (Engineering and Information Technology)

Anthony Dooley (Science)

Candidates’ statements

David Goldbaum (Business)

In my 20 years at UTS, I have observed a steady curtailment of academic input into the University’s decisions, evident in the restructuring of faculties, the reconstitution of committees, and the assertion of strategic and fiscal prerogative in traditionally academic domains. Academic Board, as the principal advisory body to Council on academic matters, provides an important opportunity to restore the academic voice to academic decision-making. Although academics hold only 19 of the Board’s 53 positions, I believe that a concerted effort can ensure that academics are heard. I seek your support to lend my voice to that effort.

Alexander Solntsev (Science)

I am Professor of Physics and Associate Head of School (Research) in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. Alongside my own research, much of my leadership has focused on making the research environment work better: supporting researchers at different career stages, strengthening research culture and systems, building pathways from research to translation, and connecting students with research. This work was recognised with the 2026 UTS Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence in Leadership and Development.

If elected, I would bring this practical, research-led perspective to Academic Board. I would focus on how university decisions affect degree programs, research and HDR in practice, strengthen links between Science and the wider University, and represent colleagues’ views constructively and independently. I would support academically sound, evidence-based decisions that work for staff and students. 

Charlene Lobo (Science)

I seek your support for my nomination to Academic Board as a representative of the Faculty of Science. I’m a Professor of Materials Physics and recently served as Head of discipline of Physics.  Prior to joining UTS in 2011, I graduated from my PhD at ANU and worked in the UK and USA for 10 years in both academia and industry. I am a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics, a grant review panel member for the Australian Research Council and serve on a number of editorial boards for leading international journals. 

If elected to academic board, I will protect and promote the unique contribution that Science academics make to knowledge creation and innovation, research training and supervision, and mentoring of students and early-career academics. I will represent Science academic staff in an equitable and collegial manner. 

Cristina Caperchione (Health)

Cristina Caperchione is a Professor of Physical Activity and Health Promotion in the School of Human Performance, Rehabilitation and Population Health, where she has been employed since 2018. Upon completing her PhD at Central Queensland University, Rockhampton in 2005, she has worked across four institutions (Central Queensland University, University of British Columbia, Brunel University and UTS) spanning three countries and continents (Australia, Canada, United Kingdom). She was the founder/director of the Physical Health and Activity Behaviour Lab at the University of British Columbia in Canada (2010-2018) and currently Leads the Physical Activity and Health Promotion research stream within the Human Performance Research Centre at UTS. She has contributed extensively to school, faculty, and university committees, including: Chair (2022-2024) and member (2019-2022) of the Faculty of Health Low Risk Human Research Ethics Committee, elected member of UTS Academic Board (2023-2025), UTS Faculty of Health Research Committee (2020-2022), and SoSER Research Committee (2025-present). 

Ian Menz (Science)

I am currently the Head of the School of Life Sciences, within the Faculty of Science, and have been in this role since I arrived at UTS 4 years ago. I have held many leadership positions at both a School and Faculty level during the more than 30 years I have worked in the Higher Education sector. As a biochemist, I am actively engaged in teaching and research activities in the areas of food science and biotechnology. I am passionate about ensuring that our universities, are equitable and inclusive institutions, that are transparently governed, providing the best possible outcomes for our students, staff and the broader community. 

Lisa Pont (Health)

I am a Professor in Pharmacy, Acting Associate Dean (Education and Students) and Associate Head of School (Education and Students, SCAHS) in the Faculty of Health. Having served on Academic Board from 2020 to 2023, I am standing again to bring my experience in educational leadership, governance and quality assurance to discussions about curriculum, assessment, student progression and standards.

In my current roles, I work with academic and professional staff to strengthen curriculum quality, support student success, improve assessment and progression processes, and ensure governance decisions are practical, transparent and aligned with institutional priorities. I bring a pragmatic and collegial approach, with a commitment to high-quality education that supports staff and students.

If elected, I will contribute as an experienced education leader focused on academic standards, student success, quality assurance and thoughtful decision-making. I would welcome the opportunity to serve again and support a rigorous, inclusive and student-centred UTS. 

Vinay Patel (Business)

Vinay Patel is an Associate Professor in the Business School. He has dedicated his career to educating and preparing the next generation of professionals. His research into the detection of financial fraud has had significant impact upon the finance profession and academia. He has also been recognised for teaching excellence through several university awards and citations. As Program Director, he has been involved in numerous re-accreditations, and has executed effective teaching strategies across multiple degrees which have improved student learning, engagement and graduate outcomes, with particular focus on industry consultation, work integrated learning, fintech, data analytics, sustainability, ethics, entrepreneurship, and Indigenous higher education. 
  
If elected to the Academic Board, I aim to:

• Enhance the university's global reputation;
• Align our course offerings with the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
• Promote work integrated and transdisciplinary learning, and use of technology and innovation in higher education;
• Improve student learning, engagement, and graduate outcomes. 

Sebastian Oberst (Engineering and Information Technology)

I am nominating for Academic Board to contribute constructively to the academic governance of UTS and to represent the interests of academic staff across the University.

As an Associate Professor and researcher in the School of Electrical, Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, I bring experience in research leadership, teaching, supervision, industry engagement and university governance. I currently serve as Acting Director of the Centre for Audio, Acoustics and Vibration at TechLab and lead a multidisciplinary research program in mechanical engineering and mechatronics spanning engineering, physical sciences and biology, in bioacoustics.

I believe effective academic governance requires transparency, evidence-based decision-making and meaningful engagement with academic staff. I would advocate for a strong academic voice in decisions affecting research, teaching, academic careers and the quality of our students’ education.

I would welcome the opportunity to contribute my experience, independent perspective and commitment to collegial governance to the Academic Board. 

Anthony Dooley (Science)

The Academic Board is responsible for ensuring that the academic voice is part of the fabric of the university. In my two terms as Chair, I represented the Board on Council, introducing the Student Charter, the Academic Risk Register, the Course Loop simplification program and revisions to the PhD program. I held AB Forums on Climate Change, Internationalisation, the Role of a University, and Al in Teaching and Assessment.

Since ending my term as Chair, I have continued research and teaching as a professor of mathematics, coordinating one of the largest subjects in UTS, supervising a number of PhD and honours students, and remaining active on the Board.

As UTS emerges from the OSI process, it is imperative to have a strong academic representation to the Board. I believe that I can play an important role, bringing an experienced and balanced perspective on crucial academic issues. 

How to vote in an online ballot

1. Note your candidate choices and preference order
2. Log in to UTS: Elections Online Polling Booth
3. Choose the election you wish to vote in
4. Select the candidates you wish to vote for
5. Check your vote
6. When you are ready, choose 'submit' to record your vote.

Conduct

Participants in elections (candidates, their representatives and voters) are expected to follow the same high standard of conduct and behaviour during the campaign process as is expected on campus generally. The behaviour of election candidates and their representatives should meet expected standards of conduct. See Code of Conduct for UTS Elections.

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Further information

The schedule for this election has information about the election rules, Returning Officer and Academic Board.

See Voting for information about votes, confidentiality, appointing a scrutineer and results.