Professor Jim Reid was elected to Council by the academic staff in 2003. He previously served ex officio on Council from 1994-2001 in his role as Chair of the University's Academic Senate. He is currently Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology.

Jim was educated at the Friends' School, Hobart before completing a BSc (Hons) degree at the University of Tasmania. Subsequently he has been awarded a PhD and DSc for his work on the genetic control of plant development. This work has been recognized by the award of the David Syme Research Medal (1989) by Melbourne University and the Royal Society of Tasmania Medal (2000). He has held appointments at every level in the university, commencing as a demonstrator in 1972 and finishing with the offer of a personal chair in Plant Development and Genetics in 1989. He has spent time as a visiting fellow at the University of London and University of Bristol in the UK and at Cornell University in the USA. He has used his genetic expertise to answer key fundamental and applied questions in plant biology and covered topics as diverse as the conservation of endangered species to tree breeding and forestry.

He has held numerous positions including Head of the School of Plant Science, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Director of the CRC for Sustainable Production Forestry and Chair of Academic Senate. He has served on numerous boards at both the state, national and international levels and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, (ATSE). He currently serves on the Tasmanian Secondary Assessment Board, is a Trustee of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and represents Tasmania on the Council of ATSE. He is currently an associate editor of two international journals and edited the major text entitled Vegetation of Tasmania.

Jim is married to Trish and has three adult children, Alistair, Nicholas and Matthew, all currently undertaking higher education. He wishes to be involved in the development of sound education policies for Tasmania and provide the opportunity for informed communication between all involved in higher education in Tasmania. He brings extensive experience as an academic and researcher to the deliberations of Council.