University of Melbourne elevates Professor Barry Judd to Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous)

The University of Melbourne today appointed Professor Barry Judd to the new position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous).

Professor Judd, who will report to the Provost, Professor Nicola Phillips, takes up the role on 5 June 2023. He has held the position of Director Indigenous Studies since 2020 and was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) in 2022.

University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Maskell, said: “This promotion is recognition of Professor Judd’s significant achievements as Pro-Vice Chancellor. Elevating his position to the level of Deputy Vice Chancellor also demonstrates the University’s commitment to furthering work in the Indigenous portfolio, and to ensuring our Indigenous leadership is represented at the most senior levels of the University.”

Most recently, Professor Judd has led the development of the University of Melbourne’s new Indigenous Strategy 2023-2027. The new strategy is a significant step forward for the University moving the institution beyond the Reconciliation Action Plan framework. It commits to 21 transformational projects which will position the University as a national and global leader in Indigenous higher education and research. It’s expected the strategy will be launched in July.

Professor Judd said: “I started my working life at this University, and I am honored and privileged to now be a member of the senior leadership team.

“The role also carries with it a great responsibility to build on the hard work and dedication of the many Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who have contributed to Indigenous teaching and learning, research, and engagement activities since the 1970s.

“The role of a DVC Indigenous provides another important senior leadership position for young and emerging Indigenous scholars to aspire to. You can’t be what you can’t see.”

Professor Judd is a member of the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). He was a foundation Chief Investigator of the National Indigenous Research and Knowledges Network (NIRAKN) and a foundation editor of ab-Original: Journal of Indigenous Studies and First Nations and First Peoples’ Cultures.

He is a board member of the Museums and Galleries of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), the Life Again Foundation and a member of the RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) Committee of the Richmond Football Club.

Professor Judd holds an MA in Public Policy and a PhD in Australian Indigenous Studies and holds postgraduate qualifications in higher education teaching and learning. His area of research expertise relates to Australian race relations in Australian sports and interdisciplinary research methods in Indigenous Studies and Australian history.

He has worked in the support of Indigenous activity in Australian higher education for more than 30 years in professional staff and academic roles.  Professor Judd’s work has been widely published and he holds several current Australian Research Council research grants.