Professor Jonathon Allen
BA (Hons), PhD (Lboro), GAICD
Dean
From 2016 to 2021, Jonathon was the Head of The Academy at Western Sydney University (WSU), an award-winning inter-disciplinary program for high-achieving students which grew significantly under his leadership, with increased support for students, including expanded opportunities for overseas experiences. He is also an Adjunct Professor at WSU, where he is part of an interdisciplinary team working on a research project funded by the Australian Research Council.
Jonathon was previously the Provost, or head, of WSU’s Penrith campus, and has been an academic in the field of industrial design in universities in the UK (Loughborough), New Zealand (Massey), and at Monash University in Melbourne, as well as at WSU. He is a widely-published researcher, with a particular interest in design’s role in addressing social and environmental concerns.
Jonathon Allen’s First Class Honours degree in Design and Technology, and his PhD (on using design to empower people with severe communications disabilities), were both undertaken at Loughborough University in England. He started his university experience at Loughborough living in halls of residence, where he was elected to the Hall’s Committee, and helped to organise Hall events such as formal balls, social events, charity fundraisers, and welcomes for new students.
Amongst a great deal else, he has served on the WSU Vice-Chancellor’s Gender Equality Committee and Environmental Sustainability Advisory Group, is an accredited Mental Health First Aider, and has trained as an accidental counsellor.
About the Dean
The Dean of St Mark’s College is central to the College’s support for students, and is integral to the effective functioning and thriving of the College residential community.
The Dean is responsible for fostering a vibrant and engaged student body with a strong culture of inclusion and respect, nurturing student leadership skills, and overseeing student discipline and upholding the College’s values. The Dean is also responsible for overseeing the College Calendar of student-related events and activities, for the smooth running of day-to-day student life and its associated operations, and for security and emergency procedures outside business hours.
