A transformative science researcher who was the first woman to lead of one of Australia’s top universities is being remembered as a brilliant reformer.
University of Melbourne vice-chancellor Emma Johnston died from complications with cancer, the university announced on Monday.
She was 52.
Johnston became the first woman to take up the top role at the 172-year-old institution in February 2025.
It was the same university where she completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees as well as a doctorate in marine ecology.
Johnston specialised in the ecological impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems and was a chief author of Australia’s most recent State of the Environment report.
Her extensive research profile includes authoring 185 peer-reviewed journal articles and supervising more than 35 students.
