Professor Colmer is Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor at The University of Western Australia (UWA).  As Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor he provides leadership and management of the UWA College of Schools, working collaboratively with the Heads of Schools and other stakeholders to ensure alignment of resources and academic initiatives in the delivery of the University’s strategic plan. The portfolio includes College Services which provide support services for School-level administration, and delivery of teaching and technical services. The UWA Albany Centre is an important part of the portfolio. Professor Colmer was previously Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at UWA with responsibility for research leadership, including strategy and policy development.

Professor Colmer is a plant physiologist and has worked across various academic disciplines to support research at UWA, including research infrastructure initiatives. He was formerly a Teaching and Research academic in UWA’s School of Agriculture and Environment where his teaching was recognised by two national awards, and his research involved industry collaborations. He has supervised PhD, Master and Honours students.

He has a strong service record; his previous roles include degree coordinator, postgraduate coordinator, head of school, chair of various internal UWA committees (Capital Infrastructure Advisory Group; Safety & Health; Animal Ethics), journal editor, and member of Research Infrastructure Boards (PHRN, MA, IMOS, Raine Study).