Shelda Debowski initially worked as a teacher librarian at St Brendan’s College, Hilton and Christian Brothers’ College, Fremantle prior to entering academe. Commencing as a lecturer in Library Studies at Edith Cowan University, she then moved to Murdoch University as a Senior Lecturer in Business. Her last appointment was as Winthrop Professor (Higher Education Development) and Director, Organisational and Staff Development Services at the University of Western Australia. In this role Shelda led the reformation of the support for the University, particularly with respect to research and leadership development, organizational change and academic development.

Shelda is President of the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) and previously filled the role of President of the International Consortium for Educational Development (ICED), which comprises over 22 national networks supporting higher education teaching and learning. She is a fellow of HERDSA, the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) and the Association for Tertiary Education Management (ATEM). She has been recognized for her leadership through a range of external awards, including The Telstra Business Women’s Awards (2008 and 2012), the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) Dave Ulrich HR Leader awards (2012), and 2011 Churchill Fellowship.

She has published extensively in the area of higher education development, including her latest book: The New Academic: A Strategic Handbook (Open University Press, 2012).