Vignette 70: First female Vice-Chancellor and President

Professor Mary O’Kane AC is a renowned scientist and engineer who has made important contributions to Australian society through her passion for science driven solutions.

After joining the University in 1994, she held several positions, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. From 1996 to 2001, she became the University’s first and only female Vice-Chancellor and President to date. 

A Companion of the Order of Australia, O’Kane also received the Erna Hamburger Prize and the Peter Nicol Russell Memorial Medal. In 2022, she co-led an inquiry into eastern Australian floods. Of the 28 recommendations made after the enquiry, the NSW government supported them all. Then, in 2023, she headed a review into Australia’s higher education system, which resulted in reform directions for teaching, research and funding.

The University commissioned a portrait of O’Kane, painted by artist Anna Platten. The snake was O’Kane’s idea; she wished to break from the tradition of vice-chancellor portraits being painted in traditional poses. The portrait is on permanent display in the Mitchell Building.

The University of Adelaide: 150 Years of Making History.  Leading for the future. p.100