Rory Hume

Who is Rory Hume?

Wyatt R. "Rory" Hume DDS, PhD is an Australian-born academic.

Hume graduated from the University of Adelaide with Bachelor degrees in dentistry and dental surgery, and a Ph.D. in human physiology and pharmacology. Between 1980 and 2003, Hume's dental research demonstrated how to avoid adverse effects when applying restorative materials to dental tissue.

After service as dean of dentistry at the University of Sydney and then at the University of California Los Angeles he served as UCLA's Executive Vice-Chancellor between 1998 and 2002, and then as The University of New South Wales' sixth Vice-Chancellor and President from 2002 to 2004.

Hume's term as vice-chancellor at UNSW was marked by disagreements within the university council over allegations involving medical researcher Professor Bruce Hall, who was accused of serious scientific misconduct. Hume cited the reason for his departure as 'a breakdown of his relationship with the university Council'.

Hume's handling of the Hall matter was subsequently vindicated by the independent St James Ethics Centre in a report described as 'highly critical of the UNSW council'.