| Election of | an academic staff from the professoriate or associate professoriate (levels D or E) |
| Term | 2 years: 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028 |
| Electorate |
Any academic staff member (continuing or fixed-term at levels D or E) can vote in this election (Rule G3-22(1)(h)). Restrictions No more than 2 from any one faculty or unit can be elected to sit on the Research Committee from any election category. Given this restriction and the current Research Committee membership, if multiple candidates from the same faculty are successful in the elections for staff and student positions on Research Committee, then the electoral officer will draw lots to determine the elected member. |
| Ballot | opens Thursday 10 September 2026 closes at 3pm Thursday 24 September 2026 |
| Voting | vote now or see how to vote |
Candidates in ballot paper order
Candidates’ statements
Bill Soderstrom (Science)
My name is Bill and I am a research-intensive ARC Future fellow in the Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection (AIMI) and Associate Professor in the School of Life Science, within the discipline of Molecular Biotechnology. A physicist by training, my research is highly interdisciplinary and broadly spans high resolution optical microscopy, mRNA vaccine development and forensic microbiology. Over the last few years, I have been awarded Cat1 grants from the ARC and the NHMRC/MRFF, internal capex funds and multiple other internal and external monetary awards for my research. I have led several research projects with international and external collaborators, spearheaded university-wide initiatives (e.g., the UTS CRF network) and been involved in various mentoring activities for junior colleagues both at UTS and at a national level. Overall, I believe that I am well-positioned to join and contribute in a meaningful way to the UTS research committee.
Igor Aharonovich (Science)
Igor is an internationally recognised researcher and research leader with an outstanding record of scientific achievement, collaboration, research translation and academic leadership. His work in quantum photonics, quantum materials and emerging photonic technologies has established a strong international profile for both himself and UTS.
Igor would bring to the Committee a broad perspective spanning fundamental research, interdisciplinary collaboration, research infrastructure, and strategic research development.
Through his leadership roles within major research initiatives, including the ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems, he has demonstrated a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing contemporary research.
Importantly, Igor is committed to strengthening the research culture at UTS and supporting researchers at all career stages. His international networks, strategic vision and experience across disciplines would make him a valuable contributor to the Committee and to the continued growth and impact of research at UTS.
How to vote in an online ballot
- Note your candidate choices and preference order
- Log in to UTS: Elections Online Polling Booth
- Choose the election you wish to vote in
- Select the candidates you wish to vote for
- Check your vote
- 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.
Concerns about security due to election-related conduct should be reported to UTS Security and Emergency Management. Phone 02 9514 1192 or dial ‘6’ on any UTS phone.
Further information
The schedule for this election has information about the election rules, Returning Officer and Research Committee.
See Voting for information about votes, confidentiality, appointing a scrutineer and results.