- Michael Spence (academic)
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Michael Spence Vice Chancellor, University of Sydney Term 2008 – Predecessor Gavin Brown Born 10 January 1962 Alma mater University of Sydney
University of OxfordResidence Sydney, New South Wales Profession Lawyer Website University of Sydney The Reverend Dr Michael J. Spence (born 10 January 1962) is an Australian-born academic. Dr Michael Spence began as the 25th Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sydney on 11 July 2008.
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Career
Education
Dr. Spence is an alumnus of the University of Sydney, having graduated with first class Honours in English, Italian and Law (BA (Hons) in 1985 and Law, LLB (Hons), in 1987. Before leaving for the University of Oxford in 1988 to undertake doctoral studies, Dr Spence lectured in law at the University and also worked for the Australian Copyright Council.
At Oxford, Dr Spence obtained his DPhil and continued to develop his career over the next 20 years. He became a Fellow of St Catherine's College and a Lecturer of the University of Oxford in 1992. Three years ago he also obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Theology from the University of Oxford.
During his time at Oxford, Dr Spence became internationally recognised as a leader in the field of intellectual property theory. His work includes articles and books on both intellectual property law and the law of obligations, with a critical focus on suggested ethical and economic justifications of the existing regimes. He remains a consultant to the London law firm, Olswang and serves as a WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Centre Panelist. He has lectured on intellectual property-related topics around the world, and held a number of visiting appointments in Boston, Munich and Siena. He has twice been a Parsons Fellow at the Sydney Law School.
He served as head of the Law Faculty at the University of Oxford and most recently, was Head of the Social Sciences Division, one of the four divisions that make up the University. Dr Spence oversaw significant growth of research activity and funding in the Social Sciences, and the strengthening of links between the social science departments, and between them and the University more broadly.
One of Dr Spence's priorities at Oxford was actively to encourage fundraising and substantial sponsorship from benefactors and corporate groups. He was a driving force behind the establishment and financial support of a number of Oxford's new research centres and institutes, such as the Oxford Centre for Educational Assessment and the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment. His responsibilities included oversight of some of the University of Oxford's most innovative research units, including the James Martin 21st Century School and the Oxford-Man Institute for Quantitative Finance.
Personal life
Dr Spence is an ordained Anglican priest having trained for the priesthood at St Stephen's House, Oxford.
References
- New voice has plenty in reserve, The Australian, 16 July 2008
- Fees for rich, help for poor, The Sydney Morning Herald, 12 July 2008
- Ecclesiastical touch in the secular stone, The Sydney Morning Herald, 2 June 2008
- Oxford academic lands top uni position, The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 October 2007
- Former Oxford Homepage
- Oxford Law: Michael Spence
- University of Sydney: Sydney Appoints A New Vice-Chancellor
Categories: 1962 births | Living people | Australian academics | University of Sydney alumni
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