Professor Shaun Ewen appointed Pro-Vice Chancellor (Indigenous)

Professor Shaun Ewen has been appointed to the role of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Indigenous) at the University of Melbourne.

University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis said Professor Ewen was the Foundation Director of the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, a position he will continue to hold.

“Professor Ewen is an Aboriginal academic who has spent the past two decades living on Wurundjeri country, and has family connections to Gunditjmara country in Victoria’s Western District,” Professor Davis said.

“He has a clinical background in physiotherapy and personal research expertise in Indigenous health and health professional education.”

Professor Davis said as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous), Professor Ewen would have responsibilities for leadership of the University’s Indigenous higher education strategy and development, working closely with the Associate Provost, Professor Marcia Langton.

“The University is proud to have two outstanding Indigenous academics in such vital Chancellery leadership roles,” Professor Davis said.

In an email to University staff, Professor Davis welcomed the statement read by Professor Megan Davis, from the University of New South Wales, on behalf of Indigenous Australians gathered last week at Uluru.

“The message points to unresolved issues for Australia and every Australian organisation, including this one,” he said.

“This University supports practical actions through the University’s Reconciliation Action Plan, and is enriched by the fine work of the Murrup Barak Institute, the Indigenous leadership at the Poche Centre, the Wilin Centre and the Atlantic Fellows Program for Social Equity, the Chancellery strategic partnership with the Yothu Yindi Foundation, and our initiatives in the Goulburn Valley with the Yorta Yorta nation.

“Yet beyond all this important work are fundamental questions for this nation we share.  I hope the voices of colleagues from across the University will participate in the important conversation that must surely follow the Uluru Statement.”