Laurie Pearcey

Laurie Pearcey is currently Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) at UNSW Sydney. Laurie is responsible for developing the transformative global partnerships portfolio that underpins the global impact pillar of UNSW’s 2025 Strategy.

Prior to his appointment, Laurie led the development of UNSW’s China and India Priority Country Strategies which resulted in a range of major outcomes including the establishment of the $100 million Torch Innovation Precinct at UNSW as part of a groundbreaking partnership with Chinese industry. Laurie has also served as the Executive Director of the International Office and the Director of the Confucius Institute at UNSW.

Before joining UNSW, Laurie was the Chief Executive Officer of the Australia China Business Council where he led the Council’s strategic engagement with the Chinese and Australian Governments and represented the collective interests of major industry stakeholders in the Sino-Australian trade and investment relationship.

Laurie was described by the China Daily as ‘at the forefront of almost all business, personal and political relations between Australia and China’ and is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading China experts. He is a respected commentator on the Chinese political economy, Australia’s relationship with China and higher education issues contributing regularly to major media organisations including the ABC, Channel NewsAsia, Fairfax, Xinhua News and the People’s Daily.

Laurie is a proud UNSW alumnus and a Scholar of the Order of Australia Association Foundation and was a Visiting Fellow in Pacific and Asian History at the Australian National University.