Six months into her role as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Professor Lucy Marshall shares what she has learned about Macquarie’s distinctive culture and why it is at the heart of the University’s potential. 

Since starting at Macquarie, I have been struck by many things that make this place unique among Australian universities. Among these: the members of this community care deeply about one another. I am humbled and grateful for the warm welcome I have received, the diversity of perspectives and experiences that I have encountered, and by the deep commitment of our people to working together for our institution and its mission.  

As an engineer, I am naturally interested in analysing how different parts work together to make something exciting happen. And as a water engineer, I know that sometimes this magic happens below the surface, not necessarily visible to the naked eye. 

In diving into my role leading the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and getting to know its people, I have been able to witness the transformative impact that collaboration across disciplines and perspectives is having on driving innovative and impactful solutions to societal challenges. 

Broad collaboration is essential to unlocking the full potential of our institution. This requires breaking down silos between departments, promoting cross-disciplinary research and teaching, and cultivating a spirit of openness, curiosity and respect. I am eager to continue working with our community to identify new opportunities for collaboration and to leverage our collective strengths to develop solutions that make a lasting and positive impact. 

The power of collaboration can be seen in some of the most exciting cross-disciplinary initiatives underway in our faculty. Developers in Australian Astronomical Optics Macquarie (AAO) are building electronic field notebooks to assist researchers in fields as diverse as archaeology and geochemistry. Passionate students in our School of Engineering and School of Natural Sciences are teaming up to explore the potential of growing plants in space. Academics in our School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences are collaborating with Macquarie Business School to deliver world-class education in business statistics.   

Recently, the Faculty of Science and Engineering leadership group held a retreat to engage in meaningful conversations and activities to develop a shared purpose for our faculty. It was inspiring to see how quickly and easily ideas flowed across departments and disciplines and to witness the genuine excitement and energy that emerged.  

We identified three key priority areas for the faculty for the coming year:  

• Amplify our student experience so that our students feel supported, challenged and inspired.
• Deepen our industry partnerships to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Develop our culture to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to make a meaningful contribution.  

By working together in these focused areas, we can achieve outcomes that are greater than the sum of our individual efforts and create lasting positive change. I look forward to keeping you informed of our progress.