Marcia Langton appointed Associate Provost

One of Australia’s most respected Indigenous academics, Professor Marcia Langton, has been appointed as the first Associate Provost at the University of Melbourne.

Professor Langton is one of the most significant voices in public debate on many issues relating to Indigenous Australia, and is well known to many at the University as a charismatic teacher and research leader in Indigenous studies.

She gave the 2012 Boyer Lectures, “The Quiet Revolution” on ABC Ratio National, and was a member on the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians.

The Associate Provost role will have a remit to provide leadership in relevant areas of engagement, cultural collections and other heritage issues and in the development of indigenous teaching and research activities across the University.

Professor Langton will retain her existing appointments as Foundation Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies and as University of Melbourne Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor.

University of Melbourne Provost Margaret Sheil said: “Professor Langton has long been recognised as one of Australia’s leading indigenous scholars and we will be privileged to have her extraordinary insights into our teaching, research and engagement agenda.

"That we could make this announcement during the week of our annual Wominjeka ceremony to welcome our cohort of 316 Indigenous students to campus is all the more pleasing.”

Professor Langton said: “I look forward to working with a great team to build on the success of the University of Melbourne in graduating global citizens with an understanding of Indigenous Australia and to further achievements with our many partners in bringing about better understanding of the rich cultures and potential of Indigenous peoples.”

Alongside from the Associate Provost role, the University also announced a newly created position of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous), a role that will assume responsibilities for the strategy to the support for indigenous staff and students previously provided by Professor Ian Anderson.

Professor Anderson left the University earlier this month to join the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to lead the Commonwealth Heads of Government Closing the Gap Agenda.