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Johnston completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Melbourne before becoming pro vice-chancellor (research) and dean of science at the University of NSW, and deputy vice-chancellor (research) at the University of Sydney from 2022 to 2024.
She was a director of the CSIRO and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, a governor of the Ian Potter Foundation, a chief author of the current State of the Environment Report, authored 185 peer-reviewed journal articles, and supervised more than 35 higher degree students.
Johnston was made an officer of the Order of Australia in 2018 for her services to higher education, particularly to marine ecology, eco-toxicology and research institutes. In 2022, she was elected a fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare called Johnston “one of Australia’s biggest brains and nicest people” and described the academic as “a real reformer”.
In a statement, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering CEO Kylie Walker and UNSW Professor Rob Brooks said their friend was “a visionary leader in science and research, a passionate champion of the environment, a brilliant and engaging communicator, and a caring mentor” who wanted nothing less than to save the world.
For two decades, the marine ecologist documented the impact of humans on the natural environments of Antarctica, Sydney Harbour and the Great Barrier Reef.Credit: Dan White/UNSW
“Emma’s final months were marked by a fierce doubling-down on this mission – she understood that she was running out of time. Only 52 years old when she left us after a brief and brutal illness, she still wasn’t done with parenting, with saving the oceans and the planet, with nurturing and uplifting the next generation, or with remaking the Australian research and higher education landscape into something magnificent … An optimist to the end, Emma had so much hope for humanity,” they said.
University of Melbourne chancellor Jane Hansen said Johnston had an unwavering commitment to students, whether it be through tackling cost-of-living pressures, scholarships, teaching, or supporting their research.
“She did everything she could to ensure they were best equipped to achieve their goals. Most of all, she just liked spending time with them to hear their stories. They were her inspiration.”
She also promoted the capacity of women and girls to study science, “helping us to better understand and protect our marine communities and coastal waterways”, Hansen said.
Johnston replaced Duncan Maskell as vice chancellor. Maskell faced a turbulent period when he took on the role in 2018, one marred by COVID-19, pro-Palestine protests and debate over caps on international student intakes.
One University of Melbourne academic told this masthead Johnston’s passing had shocked and saddened staff.
“She was so energetic and genuinely friendly and warm. It was clear that there was so much good she wanted to do at the university, and staff were really buoyed by her arrival.”
Johnston was finalising her resilience strategy for the university just a few weeks before her death.Credit: Renee Nowytarger
University of Sydney vice chancellor Professor Mark Scott said those who had worked with Johnston over the years would be grieving her loss.
“Emma’s career was marked by brilliant achievements, but her family was her greatest joy. Our hearts go out to her husband and children,” Scott said.
University of Sydney pro vice chancellor (research) Benjamin Eggleton said working for Johnston was a true privilege and one of his career highlights.
“Australia has lost someone who still had so much more to give. A very sad day.”
The Group of Eight universities said her death was an “unfathomable loss for Australia’s higher education and research community”.
Chief executive Vicki Thomson said they had lost a remarkable leader and friend. “Emma was simply amazing – brilliant in her science, principled in her leadership, and unfailingly generous as a colleague and mentor. Our heartfelt grief is shared across the nation’s universities and beyond.”
Johnston’s family announced her death on Monday but did disclose when she died.
The University of Melbourne said it would commemorate her at the appropriate time in line with the family’s wishes.
Professor Michael Wesley will continue in the role of acting vice chancellor.
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