You are here: Macquarie University | Research | Staff & Structure | Director, Research Services
Director, Research Services
Dr Peter Freeman
Director, Research Services
Dr Peter Freeman was appointed Director, Research Services, at Macquarie University in 2004. He was formerly Manager of the Research Office at the University from 1995 - 2003, and prior to that was Assistant Registrar (Research) from 1989 - 1994 (the Research Office was transferred from the Registrars Office to the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) in 1995).
Dr Freeman graduated from the University of Nottingham with a BSc with first class honours in Chemistry and the Boots-Drummond prize. He stayed at Nottingham to complete a PhD degree in Organic Chemistry (Natural Products). Dr Freeman was then awarded a Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Postdoctoral Fellowship tenable at Imperial College, under the Direction of the Noble Laureate Sir Derek Barton. Peter then moved to Australia where he held an Australian Research Grant Scheme (forerunner of the ARC) Fellowship at Sydney University. Following this Dr Freeman was appointed Associate Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Macquarie University, and then held a temporary Lectureship in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Sydney.
Temporarily leaving behind academia Dr Freeman spent 5 years in industry with the Pharmaceutical company Johnson and Johnson. It was during this period that he gained formal management training, particularly in strategic management.
In 1984 Dr Freeman returned to Macquarie University as the University’s first full-time professional research administrator, handling all aspects of research management including grants, ethics, and intellectual property. Five years later Macquarie University’s first part-time Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) was appointed and the Research Management Unit established with Peter at its head. Within three years the Pro-Vice-Chancellor position had become a full-time Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) position. Two Deputy Vice-Chancellors (Research) later Dr Freeman had become Manager of the renamed Research Office.
In the mid 1990s Dr Freeman commenced a law degree part-time at Macquarie University. While he did not complete the degree he met all requirements up to 300 level including contract law and administrative law. This was instrumental in his move into the management of contracts. Over the period 1989 – 2003 the Research Office staff slowly expanded, with specialisations within the Office developing.
Since becoming Director of Research Services, Dr Freeman has concentrated more on strategic research matters and policy development.
Phone: (+ 61 2) 9850-8611
Fax: (+61 2) 9850-8799
E-mail: peter.freeman@vc.mq.edu.au