Professor Mark Cassidy

BEng, PhD, GAICD

Professor Mark Cassidy AM has been the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Melbourne since January 2024. In this role, Mark is responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of the multidisciplinary research portfolio at Australia’s leading university. He provides academic leadership and management support to the Vice-Chancellor as a member of the University Executive. Prior to this appointment, Mark was the University’s Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology from 2018-2024.

Mark graduated in Civil Engineering from the University of Queensland and attained a doctorate in Engineering Science from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. Mark’s research interests are in offshore geotechnics and engineering, predominantly in developing models for the analysis of renewable wave and wind turbines, anchors and pipelines. He has published over 300 refereed journal and conference papers, jointly holds two international patents and has supervised more than 30 PhD students.

Mark has received academic awards including Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year in 2007 and Western Australian Scientist of the Year in 2015. He is an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, Engineers Australia and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering. Mark was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to geotechnical science, engineering and academia in 2026.

Mark is a Board member for UM Commercialisation Pty Ltd, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) and The Florey Institute.