Jeanette Hacket

Dr Jeanette Hacket AM retired as Vice-Chancellor of Curtin University in August 2013, following a 33-year career that included serving as the institution's executive leader from 2006 to 2013. She was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university in 2014. Prior to academia, Dr Hacket started out her career as a lawyer. After several years as a legal practitioner and partner with Perth-based firm Frank Unmack and Cullen, Dr Hacket moved to Curtin in 1980 and took on a variety of senior roles including as Dean of International Programs (1996-2001), Pro Vice-Chancellor of International and Enterprise (2002-2004) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (2004-2006). Significant achievements during her time in leadership positions included the opening of Curtin campuses in Sarawak (1999), Sydney (2005) and Singapore (2008); the creation of the Australian Sustainable Development Institute and Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy (both 2008); the establishment of the Resources and Chemistry Precinct and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (both 2009); and the launch of the Murchison Widefield Array (2012) which was led by Curtin Law School (2013). During Dr Hacket’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor, Curtin was ranked among the top 500 research universities in the annual global listing by Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Dr Hacket was chair of the governing board of Penrhos College and chair of the Amanda Young Foundation, a non-profit organisation. In 2012, she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her service to education and was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology by Curtin University in 2013.