Sarah Pearson
Former Chancellor, University of New England at University of New England (UNE)
Sarah Pearson is a distinguished leader in innovation and technology, currently serving as the Chancellor at the University of New England in Australia. With a robust portfolio of roles in tech venture capital, impact investment, and board positions, Sarah leverages her extensive expertise in science and technology to drive purposeful impact. Her career spans global executive leadership roles in FTSE 100 multinationals, venture capital, universities, and startups.Sarah's board and advisory career focuses on innovation, science, and strategy, with a strong emphasis on creating lasting economic and social impact. She has been instrumental in building startup ecosystems and empowering entrepreneurs, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. A passionate advocate for women in STEM, Sarah holds a DPhil in particle physics from the University of Oxford and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.Her publishing career includes contributions to TV, radio, books, journals, and patents, notably in cancer diagnosis and confectionery. Sarah's commitment to innovation and impact is evident in her roles with organizations like the Royal Flying Doctor Service, RACQ, and the Foreign Investment Review Board, among others.
In their own words
From Sarah Pearson on the importance of cooperation and competition · The History of the Australian Startup Ecosystem - Interview SeriesYou wouldn't achieve anything without competition, but you need to be able to work out where you collaborate and where you compete.
Career
- Now Former Chancellor, University of New England · University of New England (UNE)
- Earlier Chief Scientist and Chief Innovation Officer · Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Earlier Chief Executive Officer · ANU Enterprise
- Earlier Global Head of Open Innovation · Cadbury
Sources: netimes.com.au
Key moments
Jump straight to the part of Sarah Pearson on the importance of cooperation and competition you want.
- 0:29 Meet Sarah Pearson
- 0:41 Sarah's Experience in Innovation
- 1:05 Early Involvement in Startups and Innovation
- 2:03 Transition from Particle Physics to Innovation
- 3:04 Using Innovation for Social Impact
- 3:52 Understanding the Meaning of Innovation
- 4:49 The Role of Startups in Innovation
- 6:05 Development of the Innovation Ecosystem in Australia
- 7:50 The Impact of Government Policy on Innovation
- 9:11 Current State of the Innovation Ecosystem in Australia
Heard on
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▶ University of New England (UNE) on Day One
The University of New England (UNE) is a prominent Australian university known for its commitment to providing flexible and high-quality education. 1 person · 5 episodes → Connections
Adam SpencerHost, Documentary: The History Of The Australian Startup Ecosystem
Michael BatkoCEO, Hourglass AI
Wayne GerardFounder, Partner Ventures, Partner Ventures (Prtnr)
Petr AdámekCEO, Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN)
Peter DevineFormer CEO, Uniseed, Uniseed
Rohit BhargavaFounder & Director, Playbook Media, Playbook Media
Terry HilsbergPartner, Fork Ventures, Fork Ventures
Peter BraddChief Evangelist, Miro Spot something wrong? Suggest a correction Updated 25 September 2026
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