Simon Mckirdy

Professor McKirdy currently holds the role of Deputy Vice Chancellor Global Engagement responsible for developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with key stakeholders across the university. The role also leads international student recruitment opportunities as well as operation of transnational education campuses in Singapore and Dubai. Prior to this role, he was the founding Director and Pro Vice Chancellor of the Murdoch University Harry Butler Institute, a world-leading research facility where community, industry and academia collaborate to provide scientific solutions, focused on the coexistence of human development and biodiversity.

Simon McKirdy has international expertise in biosecurity and, in particular, plant biosecurity. Simon’s experience covers corporate leadership, research management within corporate and academic environments, policy development and the management of biosecurity operations within the government and private sectors. Simon has recently retired from the board of Plant Health Australia and concluded a term as Chairperson of the Western Australian Biosecurity Council. Simon’s career has included the roles of CEO of the Australian Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre, and Biosecurity Science and Risk Manager, Chevron Australia. He is currently Chair of Algae Harvest.

Simon is a Fulbright Fellow and winner of the Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Life Sciences Award at Kansas State.