Matt Kean partners with UTS to champion climate action

Prominent UTS alumnus, the Hon Matt Kean, has returned to his alma mater as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Now balancing his role as the Chair of the national Climate Change Authority, Kean is poised to advance Australia’s mission toward carbon neutrality while amplifying groundbreaking research.

UTS welcomes a familiar face

Known for his tenure as NSW Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Environment, Matt Kean's ongoing dedication to tackling climate change and establishing robust environmental policies has earned him respect at both state and national levels. His honorary role at UTS will see him working closely with the Institute for Sustainable Futures and UTS Business School to further progress in climate change research.

“It’s a great honour for me to accept the appointment to become a UTS Adjunct Professor. Climate change is only one of the challenges our society faces, but it is likely to be a defining one,” said Kean about the new role.

Through this collaboration, Kean aims to connect UTS’s expertise in climate mitigation and adaptation with policymakers, industries, and communities.

"It will be a thrill for me to enhance and amplify the work of UTS and explore ways its research can inform that of the [Climate Change] Authority's."

– The Hon Matt Kean

UTS’s sights set on sustainability

This appointment also reinforces UTS’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, a benchmark demonstrated by its 2024 ranking as the 13th most sustainable university in the world by The Times Higher Education.

Professor Stuart White, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Futures, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Matt Kean back to UTS in this Adjunct Professor role. He has been a tireless and consistent proponent of the view that the renewable energy transition will provide benefits in terms of the economy and jobs, as well as the climate.”

White further highlighted that this appointment aligns seamlessly with UTS’s focus on addressing climate change through its research, education, and community engagement.

A forward-looking collaboration

Kean’s Adjunct Professorship comes at a time when Australia’s decarbonisation efforts are both urgent and brimming with opportunity. As Chair of the national Climate Change Authority, Kean’s new dual role bridges academic innovation and public policy. His dedication reflects UTS’s positioning as a leader in climate-driven research.

With Kean’s expertise driving collaboration between UTS and broader industries, the university and its students stand poised to make meaningful contributions that extend far beyond campus grounds.