Works with the community, University partners and the Global, Culture and Engagement team to provide academic leadership for engagement strategy and practice, with particular involvement in guiding civic, community and place-based partnerships.
Sara Wills is a Professor of Public Humanities who has focused on cultural and community engagement and partnership for almost two decades. Also Deputy Dean (External Relations) in the Faculty of Arts, Sara has led the development of programs in leadership, culture, books and ideas, as well as migration studies, publishing extensively in that field. Sara led the evolution of the world-first Executive Master of Arts degree for over a decade, developing humanities-based programs in leadership, business and culture.
Sara drove the development of the Melbourne Humanities Foundation, and was formerly the Director of the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative. Previously Deputy Director of the Melbourne Social Equity Institute and a Director of The Australian Centre, Sara’s leadership in engagement is also focused through her role as a Director of Engagement Australia, co-editor of Transform and Deputy Chair of the Contemplative Studies Centre Board. She has a PhD and BA Hons in history from the University of Melbourne.