Annabelle Duncan

Annabelle Duncan (born in Nelson, New Zealand in 1953), is a New Zealand-Australian microbiologist who held the post of Vice-Chancellor at the University of New England (UNE) from 2014-2019.

Early life and education Duncan was born the youngest of two girls to parents who met in England. She won a scholarship to study pharmacy at University of Otago, however changed to microbiology, completing a Master of Science thesis on antibiotic-resistant bacteria. At the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) (2005-2008) she was an advisor on biological weapons control. She travelled to Iraq as a biological weapons inspector for the United Nations during the Gulf War. In August 2014 UNE announced Duncan had been appointed as vice-chancellor.

In September 2018, UNE announced Duncan would not be renewing her contract in 2019.

After leaving University of New England, Duncan was appointed chair of the NSW Physical Sciences Fund, chair of the Australian Council of Learned Academies Expert Working Group on Rural, Regional and Remote Research Excellence, chair of the Sydney School of Entrepreneurship, chair of the Asia Pacific International College, and member of the Board of the Regional Australia Institute.

Awards and recognition Duncan received the Public Service Medal in 1996 for her work on biological weapons control. She was elected fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering in 2018. Honorary doctorates were conferred on Duncan from Murdoch University (2005) and La Trobe University (2019).