Kailey Tonini
30 September 2022: The University of Canberra is excited to appoint alumna and former Associate Adjunct Professor, Zoe Piper, as the new Dean of the College of Adjuncts.
Ms Piper brings 20 years’ experience at the intersection of industry, research and government to the role. She was previously appointed as an Adjunct Associate Professor with the University’s Faculty of Business, Government and Law, currently serves a member of the Canberra Business School Advisory Board, and has founded multiple businesses.
Ms Piper will be leading the University’s engagement of Adjuncts and Professors Emeriti, who contribute to teaching, research, professional development, extension and internationalisation activities, and the wider University community. These titles are offered to people of high standing in academic life, industry, government, or the community, with relevant knowledge and experience.
Ms Piper has founded multiple businesses, including Ecolour (which produces paint completely free of volatile organic compounds), Ethitrade International (a blockchain-based provenance platform empowering micro and small enterprises in South East Asia), Allaran (an advisory firm operating at the intersection of industry, research, and government), and CareerVitae (a platform empowering individuals to better manage their career). She is a member of multiple boards and councils, including Young Change Agents (for which she is the Chair), social enterprise incubator the Mill House Ventures (Non-Executive Director), and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (ACT Division Council member).
Graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Economics and a Bachelor of Communication (Advertising/Marketing Communications) from the University of Canberra in 2003, Ms Piper has also completed a Master of Management at the Australian National University (ANU) and a Master of Business Administration at Charles Sturt University (CSU). She is currently completing her PhD at ANU, focussing on cross sector careers.
She joined the University’s adjunct community as an Associate Professor in October 2021 with the Faculty of Business, Government and Law.
“I’m excited to be on board,” said Ms Piper.
“The University’s new strategic direction is all about being connected and this is an opportunity to build on the links UC already has into industry, government, and community. I’m looking forward to connecting with all those different elements and helping strengthen the University’s engagement of our adjuncts and emeriti.”
Having just commenced in the role, Ms Piper has been engaging the faculties, adjuncts, and other stakeholders for feedback to help inform the strategic direction for the programs.
“I'd really like UC to be a leading example for how adjuncts are engaged here in Australia,” she said.
Professor Lucy Johnston, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise, is looking forward to working with Ms Piper to build deep and productive relationships between the University’s adjuncts and the larger community and to facilitate greater engagement of adjuncts and Professors Emeriti into University life, for mutual benefit.
“Zoe brings extensive industry and academic experience to the role and an analytical, outcome-focussed mindset that will be highly valued here at UC,” Professor Johnston said.
“Our adjuncts enrich the University experience for our students and provide opportunities for students to gain industry skills and experiences.
“As the number one university in the ACT for full-time employment and starting salaries for undergraduates, the University of Canberra is committed to providing as much opportunity as possible for students to develop industry skills and experience in all our courses, and our adjuncts play a vital role in making that possible. Our adjuncts can also provide support and guidance for industry-focused research projects.”
Ms Piper welcomes feedback and suggestions from the adjunct and Professors Emeriti community. She can be contacted at Zoe.Piper@canberra.edu.au.
