ProfessorSue Kilpatrick

Professor Sue Kilpatrick is Adjunct Professor of Education and was Professor or Education at UTAS 2016-2023, and Professor of Rural Social Science and Innovation 2023-2025, working part time in both roles. Sue has had a diverse career in higher education, including as Pro-Vice Chancellor at two universities. Her research and teaching experience encompass economics, vocational education and training, agricultural learning and innovation, rural education, rural development and rural health. Membership of community boards and committees in areas related to her research has complemented Sue's career, including regional development, vocational education and training, school education, the early years, farmer education and training, rural health and community care. Sue is currently Chair, Regional Development Australia, Tasmania and a Member of the Tasmanian Traineeship and Apprenticeship Committee.

Biography
Prof Kilpatrick was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students), UTAS from March 2012-December 2015 where her responsibilities have included access and outreach programs, pathways to the University from schools and vocational education and training (VET), relationships with the school and VET sectors, the University Library, the University's professional development unit Tasmanian Institute for Learning and Teaching, the Aboriginal support unit, Riawunna Centre, English Language Centre and northern Tasmanian National Disability Coordination Office.

She was formerly Pro Vice-Chancellor (Rural and Regional) at Deakin University, Australia. Her previous positions at UTAS include four years as Director of the University Department of Rural Health, Tasmania seven years as Associate Director and Director of the Centre for Research and Learning in Regional Australia in the Faculty of Education and Deputy Head of School roles in Business and Education.

Research Expertise
Sue has led more than 100 research projects and consultancies valued at over $AUD 10 million. Her research underpinned the multimillion dollar joint federal state government FarmBis agricultural training program. Sue’s policy research includes work on post compulsory and vocational education for previous Tasmanian Governments. She is lead author of the first Australian access and equity policy for VET. Her social capital research has been drawn on by the Australian, Tasmanian and Victorian governments. Prof Kilpatrick is expert at both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Social capital, vocational education and training, higher education, rural education, rural community development, equity group access to, and participation in education, rural health, agricultural extension and innovation.

Career summary
Qualifications

PhD (Tas) 1997: Economics of Education
MEc (NE) 1993: Labour Economics
BEc (Tas) 1975
Grad Dip Lib (TCAE) 1976,
Dip Ad Voc Ed (Tas) 1997
GAICD, 2011 (Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors)

Memberships
Professional practice

Australian Institute of Company Directors

ORCID: 0000-0003-2473-9814

Administrative expertise
Prof Kilpatrick has held senior roles in two universities, including membership of Deakin’s Senior Executive, establishing the Deakin at Your Doorstep Associate Degree partnership with five TAFE Institutes and managing a large portfolio with up to 450 staff at UTAS. She has managed numerous large national research projects.