UniSQ welcomes new Head of School and Dean

The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) has appointed Professor Jason Bainbridge as the new Head of School and Dean of Humanities and Communication.

With a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in higher education, Professor Bainbridge brings a wealth of experience to the role.

Holding degrees in Arts and Law, as well as a PhD in Cultural Studies from The University of Queensland, Professor Bainbridge expressed his enthusiasm for joining UniSQ and returning to the Sunshine State.

“It feels like coming home, given the strong connections I have throughout the region,” he said.

"I’m looking forward to collaborating with UniSQ’s incredibly talented staff and community partners to make the School a real hub for intellectual curiosity and lifelong learning, for students coming out of school, looking to upskill or making a career change."

Professor Bainbridge's research focus on popular culture, particularly the intersection of superheroes and law, underscores his own innovative approach to education.

Through his extensive publications and media engagements, he has significantly contributed to advancing knowledge and understanding in his field by exploring complex societal issues through the lens of popular narratives.

“I’ve always been motivated by a love of ideas – sharing them, supporting them, giving students the tools to express their own,” he said.

“We don’t just train students for a job. We give them the skills to build a successful career.”

With student success a key focus, Professor Bainbridge said he wants to make visible just how important humanities are to the world we live in.

“Studying Humanities and Communication really does equip students with the transferrable skills that are essential to build a successful career in today's increasingly complex world,” he said.

“If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s how important transferrable skills like critical thinking and creative problem-solving can be, no matter the industry you’re working in or what life throws at you.”

Professor Bainbridge joins UniSQ from his previous role as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design at the University of Canberra. He has also held academic positions at the University of Tasmania, University of South Australia, and Swinburne University of Technology.

He has published widely on strategic communication, media and merchandising, popular culture, and law across multiple books, book chapters and journal articles, and is a regular commentator in the media.

Learn more about Humanities and Communication at the University of Southern Queensland.