Professor Robyn Dowling to step down as Head of School and Dean

Professor Robyn Dowling will step down from her role as Head of School and Dean of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning on 30 June 2024. She will continue to support the University's aspirations through involvement in strategic projects over the next year.

“Robyn is a dedicated and passionate leader, spearheading a strategic transformation of the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning while managing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and substantial year-on-year student growth. As the first woman Head of School and Dean of Architecture, Design and Planning, she has steadfastly supported the ambitions of staff, students and alumni from diverse backgrounds,” said Professor Annamarie Jagose, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor. 

Under Robyn’s leadership, a new strategy, School of Architecture, Design and Planning 2020-2023 Strategic Plan, was developed, inviting staff, students, alumni and professions to shape better environments for future generations. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, this aspirational mission set out to shape inclusive and sustainable futures by placing creativity, rigour and a collaborative mindset at the center of their education, research and culture. The new strategy focused on diversifying educational offerings by increasing distance learning and extended non-award post-professional programs, fostering collegial high-performance research culture through cross-disciplinary connection and structured mentoring opportunities, embedding higher degree research as an integral element of the research ecosystem, and building Indigenous knowledges and cultural competency into several activities across the School.

“During her time as Head of School and Dean, Robyn built up the design area, refreshing the Bachelor of Design in 2023 and overseeing the School’s first microcredential in design, and expanded the School’s leadership of built environment and design professions by integrating sustainability and Indigenous perspectives across its teaching programs. She was also an engaged steward of philanthropy and an advocate for the institutional benefits of recruiting students from under-represented cohorts. 

“On behalf of the Vice-Chancellor and senior leadership team I thank Robyn for her strong leadership of the School and express our sincere appreciation for the leadership contributions she has made at the enterprise level during her time as Head of School and Dean,” Annamarie said.

An international search for the next Head of School and Dean of the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning will soon commence.

Professor Donald McNeill will serve as Interim Head of School and Dean from 1 July. As Professor of Urbanism and Associate Dean Research, Donald brings extensive leadership exprience and strong working relationships across the School and wider University.