Announcement of the new Provost of the Australian National University!

The Australian National University recently announced the appointmentProfessor Rebekah Brownasthe Australian National University (ANU)Provost and Senior Vice-President, and she will begin her work at ANU on June 17, 2024.

Before joining ANU, Professor Brown held senior academic leadership positions at Monash University for over a decade. She advocates for equity and inclusion, driving significant growth in research income and various performance metrics. She led the creation of a series of innovative programs that have significantly developed the capabilities of staff and students, resulting in outstanding performance.

As a prolific researcher, Professor Brown has published220papersin prestigious journals including Nature and Science, and serves on the editorial boards of several research publications. As the principal investigator for multiple research projects, she has secured a total of$123 millionin competitive external research funding.

Professor Brown is also the founding director of the 'Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments' project, an interdisciplinary research initiative supported bythe Wellcome Trust, dedicated to research at the intersection of health, environment, water, and sanitation, with promising prospects.

Before entering the field of higher education, she was a practicing civil engineer, working for leading companies in the UK, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa. This has given her a broader perspective and accumulated rich experience. As a staunch advocate for inclusion, equality, diversity, and Indigenous self-determination, Professor Brown initiated and led innovative projects and mentoring programs during her tenure at Monash University, setting and standardizing guidelines to support more women, Indigenous people, and other underrepresented voices at Monash University.

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Genevieve Bellexpressed her delight and anticipation for Professor Brown's arrival at ANU when announcing the appointment.

Professor Genevieve Bell said: 'Rebekah is not only a highly accomplished scholar but also a strategic, analytical, and compassionate leader. My colleagues and I are thrilled and very much look forward to her joining us. I know she is as committed as we are to making ANU a more unique and high-quality institution, better fulfilling our special mission as Australia's only national university.'

Professor Rebekah Brown expressed her excitement about moving to Canberra with her family to start a new life and is thrilled aboutjoiningthe ANUfamily.

She said: 'I am delighted to have the opportunity to take on this new strategic and important role under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell. AsAustralia's only national university, ANU is a unique and comprehensive institution with an outstanding global reputation.'

'I am excited to work with leaders and colleagues across the university to ensure we continue to provide a world-class experience for ANU staff and students, and to fulfill our mission as a world-renowned university to address global issues and drive innovation.'

The appointment of the new Provost, Professor Rebekah Brown, will undoubtedly promote gender equality within ANU's leadership, bringing the proportion of women in the university's leadership team close to half. As Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell said, 'Women's rights should not be the focus only on International Women's Day, and the call for gender equality should not turn into a performance. Recognizing and valuing the power of women is a lifelong subject.' ANU provides more outstanding female scholars and teachers with the space and opportunities to maximize their talents and abilities, supporting and expecting women to create valuable contributions. At ANU, from the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor to several Deputy Vice-Chancellors and leaders in various departments, women have excelled in playing pivotal roles.

Let us all welcome Professor Rebekah Brown to ANU and look forward to Professor Brown and ANU achieving even more dazzling achievements together!