Dr Andonis Piperoglou appointed inaugural Hellenic Senior Lecturer in Global Diasporas

Dr Andonis Piperoglou has been appointed the inaugural Hellenic Senior Lecturer in Global Diasporas at the University of Melbourne. He will join the University in mid-July 2022.

The role within the Faculty of Arts will coordinate and deliver teaching on aspects of Hellenic culture, engaging with the wider public on the relevance of Hellenism and its contributions to contemporary understandings of multiculturalism and the experience of diasporic communities.

Dr Piperoglou grew up on Ngunnawal country (Canberra) and has Cypriot and Castellorizian cultural heritage.

He comes to the University of Melbourne with an impressive catalogue of publications that includes a forthcoming book Greek Migrant Settlers: Inclusion, Exclusion and Settler Colonialism 1890-1930 to be published in 2023.

Dean of Arts Professor Russell Goulbourne said he was delighted Dr Piperoglou would be joining the Faculty, in a pivotal role that would enable a connection to diaspora communities in deeper ways than ever before.

“This position is supported by Australian Government funding of $2.5 million. We are particularly pleased to be working with the Greek Community of Melbourne to build philanthropic support that ensures these activities thrive and make a difference both within and beyond the University,” Professor Goulburne said.

President of the Greek Community of Melbourne Mr Bill Papastergiadis OAM said education was a cornerstone of Greek culture, particularly for its diaspora.

"This position is evidence of the importance and relevance of the Greek diaspora in both the past and future development of our society,” Mr Papastergiadis said.

Upon accepting the appointment, Dr Piperoglou said as a historian who specialises in histories of Greek diasporisation in Australia he was looking forward to starting in the role.

"In particular, I am keen to engage with Melbourne-based Hellenic institutions in order to contribute to the promotion of Greek diasporic cultures through art, music and exhibitions," Dr Piperoglou said.