Professor Harmon will play a central role in guiding the University's academic mission.
Professor Harmon joins ECU at an exciting and significant moment in the University's evolution. In semester one 2026, ECU will open its new City Campus and begin a new chapter for staff and students who will be based there, while Joondalup continues to grow as the University's heartland for teaching, research and community engagement.
As Provost, Professor Harmon will lead the strategic and operational management of ECU's Schools and play a central role in guiding the University's academic mission during this next phase. He will also hold the title of Professor of Economic Policy in recognition of his international research standing.
Professor Harmon said he was delighted to be joining ECU at such an energising time.
"It's an honour to join ECU and contribute to a university that is ambitious, creative and puts students at the heart of everything it does. I have arrived in Perth with great energy and I am ready to immerse myself in the work of the University.
"The change ahead, including the opening of the City Campus, represents an incredible step forward and a unique opportunity to rethink how we teach, collaborate and engage. ECU stands out for its clarity of purpose and its courage to take bold steps. I look forward to working with colleagues to build on that momentum and to play a part in shaping what comes next."
Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock said Professor Harmon's expertise and enthusiasm would be invaluable as ECU enters its next chapter.
"Professor Harmon is joining us at a time of real momentum. His record of driving curriculum innovation, strengthening student outcomes and championing equity and inclusion aligns strongly with our direction and ambition," Professor Pollock said.
"The opening of our City Campus in semester one 2026 will be one of the most significant moments in our history, and his leadership will be central to realising the opportunities this presents for staff, students and partners. We are delighted to welcome him to ECU."
Professor Harmon previously served as Vice Principal Students at the University of Edinburgh and has held senior roles at the University of Sydney and University College Dublin. He is internationally recognised for his research in the economics of education and its application to public policy.
