Jan Thomas (academic)


Jan Thomas is a veterinary scientist and career academic. Thomas is currently the sixth vice-chancellor of Massey University, New Zealand.
Thomas has stated she believes university education should be accessible to all and has been a supporter of indigenous and minority groups throughout her career. Upon joining Massey University, she took up lessons in te reo Māori in an effort to become fluent in the language.

Early career

Prior to her academic career, Thomas worked as a veterinary surgeon, diagnostic veterinary pathologist and a private laboratory consultant. She decided to pursue a career in academia having seen the power universities have to transform lives.

Academic career

Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science in veterinary biology, a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, both from Murdoch University in Perth, Australia; a Master of Veterinary Studies in pathology from the University of Melbourne and a Doctor of Philosophy from Murdoch University.
She has held a number of leadership positions at universities throughout Australasia. Prior to her appointment at Massey University, she was Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba, Australia, a role she had held since 2012. She has also served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Quality and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Fremantle at the University of Notre Dame Australia in Western Australia and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic at Murdoch.
In October 2016 it was announced she would be the sixth Vice-Chancellor of Massey University and commenced in the role in January 2017.
On September 18, 2018, it was revealed via documents released under the OIA New Zealand that Thomas used her influence as the Vice-Chancellor to silence Dr Don Brash the day before he was due to give a speech to Politics Society at Massey University. This caused a review by Massey University's council subsequently clearing her of wrongdoing.

Professional memberships