Professor Jim Watterston
The Dean of the Faculty of Education leads a diverse array of disciplines encompassing pedagogy and curriculum development and provides strategic guidance to cultivate innovation and excellence in teaching and research.
From his humble beginnings as a teacher in a rural Indigenous classroom in Western Australia, to his
current position as Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne since 2018,
Professor Jim Watterston's journey in education spans over 40 years, encompassing a diverse range
of achievements across the educational sector.
During his formative years, Professor Watterston honed his skills as a teacher for a decade before
assuming leadership roles as a principal in both primary and secondary schools. He then transitioned
to roles such as Regional Director in Western Australia and Victoria. Subsequently, he held significant
positions including Deputy Secretary of the Victorian Education Department and Director General of
education departments in the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland. In 2004, he was awarded
a Doctorate in Education from the University of Western Australia.
Beyond his administrative roles, Professor Watterston has been recognised as an influential
advocate for the education sector through his involvement in various education-related boards.
Most notably, he served as the National President of the Australian Council for Education Leaders for
six years.
Professor Watterston's contribution to education has been acknowledged both nationally and
internationally with awards from a number of professional bodies and educational institutions
including the highly prestigious Order of the Palmes Académiques (Chevalier) by the French
Government in 2014 for a distinguished contribution to education.
With the belief that successful learners have more options and a better chance in life, Professor
Watterston has shown his commitment to strengthening education from classrooms to boardrooms
all over Australia.
current position as Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne since 2018,
Professor Jim Watterston's journey in education spans over 40 years, encompassing a diverse range
of achievements across the educational sector.
During his formative years, Professor Watterston honed his skills as a teacher for a decade before
assuming leadership roles as a principal in both primary and secondary schools. He then transitioned
to roles such as Regional Director in Western Australia and Victoria. Subsequently, he held significant
positions including Deputy Secretary of the Victorian Education Department and Director General of
education departments in the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland. In 2004, he was awarded
a Doctorate in Education from the University of Western Australia.
Beyond his administrative roles, Professor Watterston has been recognised as an influential
advocate for the education sector through his involvement in various education-related boards.
Most notably, he served as the National President of the Australian Council for Education Leaders for
six years.
Professor Watterston's contribution to education has been acknowledged both nationally and
internationally with awards from a number of professional bodies and educational institutions
including the highly prestigious Order of the Palmes Académiques (Chevalier) by the French
Government in 2014 for a distinguished contribution to education.
With the belief that successful learners have more options and a better chance in life, Professor
Watterston has shown his commitment to strengthening education from classrooms to boardrooms
all over Australia.