Annabelle Duncan PSM (born in Nelson, New Zealand in 1953),[1] is a New Zealand-Australian microbiologist who held the post of Vice-Chancellor at the University of New England (UNE) from 2014-2019.
She won a scholarship to study pharmacy at University of Otago,[3] however changed to microbiology, completing a Master of Science thesis on antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
[2] Working with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) for 16 years, Duncan's role included Chief of the Division of Molecular Science.
[1] Her next appointment was as Executive Director of Science Collaboration and Transition in the Centre for Agricultural Bioscience (2008-2010).
[4] In an interview with ABC New England Northwest, Duncan said her vision "is to build a real brand around UNE...I think we need to be seen as being a leading university in our niche and I think our niche is as a relevant, affordable regional university that's renown globally for our teaching..."[6] In September 2018, UNE announced Duncan would not be renewing her contract in 2019.