University congratulates inaugural Australian Studies Fellow

The University of Melbourne has congratulated alumnus Dr Bronwyn King on her appointment as the inaugural Joint Distinguished Fellow in Australian Studies, a partnership between the University and King’s College London.

Dr King is a graduate of the University’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.

A radiation oncologist and the Chief Executive Officer of Tobacco Free Portfolios, she is an acknowledged world leader in the fight against big tobacco investment.

Her appointment was confirmed at the Australian launch of the Fellowship last night.

Originally announced late last year, the Fellowship is facilitated by the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies at King’s, a leading centre of its kind in Europe for more than 35 years, and the University of Melbourne’s Australian Centre.

The Fellowships are targeted as public figures and researchers predominantly in the fields of the arts, business, communications, government, law, history, media and public policy.

The recipients of the Fellowship will spend time at both Melbourne and London, and are expected to be active contributors to engagement activities and interdisciplinary research projects at both institutions.

University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis said the two universities are natural matches for a collaborative project that seeks to enhance Australian-Anglo relations.

“This Fellowship will be an opportunity to attract academic leaders and intellectuals from across the globe, to engage with researchers, students and the public in both Australia and the UK," Professor Davis said.

“The new Fellow will undoubtedly strengthen alumni links for both institutions, offering a unique platform for Australian expertise in London and vice versa. Dr King has experience dealing with businesses in both parts of the world, and will be an outstanding voice in explaining the power of this relationship.

“Both Melbourne and King’s have a long and important history of research and cultural collaboration in Australian studies, and it makes sense for both institutions to lead the next wave of interest in intellectuals wishing to undertake Australian studies and forge new pathways of collaboration between the UK and Australia.”