Richard Higgott

Richard Higgott is a Research Professor at the in Brussels. He is also an Emeritus Professor of International Political Economy (and former Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research) at the University of Warwick.^[1] He is also Distinguished Professor of Diplomacy at Vesalius College at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.^[2] Professor Higgott was a key participant on an H2020 project on European cultural and science diplomacy funded by the European Commission through its Horizon2020 programme until March 2019.^[3]

Professor Higgott is a former Fulbright Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government, and he is an elected Fellow of the UK Academy of Social Sciences. He has been National Director of the Australian Institute of International Affairs and Vice President of the USA International Studies Association.^[4]

He was for 1989–90 the president of the Australasian Political Studies Association.^[5] He has also worked with a number of international think tanks, including the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), The Australian Institute of International Affairs, and the Dialogue of Civilisations.

Earlier appointments include the University of Manchester (professor of Government); the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University (Professor in International Relations and Public Policy and Director of Studies for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and sub-professorial career positions at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and the University of Western Australia.^[6]

In June 2011, he took up the position of Vice Chancellor of Murdoch University, Western Australia.^[7] He was appointed with a mandate to reform the institution, raise standards, improve the university research reputation and international standing.^[8] His reforms lead to a significant improvement in Murdoch University rankings; notably it rose in the ‘Worlds Top 100 universities under 50’ debuting high at 57th in 2013.^[9] During the reform process to either promote or attract word class researchers, he was accused in anonymous letters that he had appointed a professor to a senior university position who was a former colleague of his.^[10]

The full CCC investigation highlighted that problems lay with figures elsewhere in the University, such as failed oversight from Murdoch University governance; specifically “a Senate (that) fails to effectively articulate the parameters within which a Vice-Chancellor should act". The national business media suggested that the newly appointed Chancellor, David Flanagan (a miner), was “more local and closer to the parochial sentiments of Perth” and ill-suited to the pursuit of international talent and high educational standards.^[11]

An opinion article in 'The Australian' (a News Corp newspaper) depicted Richard Higgott as a ‘A Colleague who Cared’ whereas the investigation was regarded as a consequence of “bossy neoliberal governments” where “scholarly freedom is jeopardised”.^[12]

After Professor Higgott’s departure, the reform process was halted. Murdoch University management has overseen a rapid drop in international University league tables. In the ‘Worlds Top 100 universities under 50’, it entered at 57th in 2013, then dropping to 68th position in 2017.^[13] and by 2020 had dropped further to the 91-100 range.

In 2019, a Four Corners investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) found further denigration of standards instigated by the new management team with foreign students recruited as 'cash cows' and possible corruption in the recruitment of foreign students from India.^[14] The whistle-blower - a Murdoch University faculty member^[15] - also faced misconduct allegations and legal action from the University, prompting other high profile resignations in protest,^[16] and outcry from across Australia concerning the assault on academic freedom.^[17]

Corruption and Crime Commission report[]

On 1 July 2016, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation News (ABC News) reported that a WA Government report formed an opinion of misconduct against former Murdoch University vice chancellor Richard Higgott. Whilst the CCC Report recognised that Higgott had informed both the selection committee and the deputy Chancellor of his prior professional relationship as co-authors, the perception was that Professor Higgott sought to have this person appointed to a senior university post ^[18] The candidate was deemed by the university selection committee to be the best candidate for the position.^[19] The WA Corruption and Crime Commission also noted that Higgott had appointed another former colleague, Mr Jon Baldwin previously Registrar of Warwick University. The Corruption and Crime Commission Report also found that Higgott had breached Murdoch University's code of conduct by using a university laptop to access adult material online.^[20] There were no sanctions, fines or legal consequences resulting from the opinion of the CCC.

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