Leadership

Welcome from the Dean

“Welcome to the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Arts.

We are Australia’s pre-eminent Arts Faculty, at the heart of the country’s second oldest and highest rated University. Our flagship Bachelor of Arts degree has been offered for over 160 years. It is the number one choice in Arts for generations of students engaging with Humanities, Social Sciences and Languages.

The Humanities and Social Sciences are needed now more than ever. Technology has transformed the world, and we face major global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, displacement of populations and misinformation. In this context strong critical thinkers are essential, along with those who ask questions, are good communicators, can navigate social, cultural and linguistic differences, and genuinely understand what it means to be human.

Today, our graduates’ analytical and creative skills, as well as their values and empathy, are their competitive advantage. The Humanities and Social Sciences are key to Australia’s future success."

Whatever path you choose I know that you will have an exciting and rewarding experience at Melbourne. I warmly welcome you to the Arts community. Professor Lesley Stirling, Dean – Faculty of Arts
Professor Lesley Stirling


Professor Lesley Stirling is the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Melbourne. Lesley teaches in Linguistics and Applied Linguists and is a distinguished scholar in the areas of Linguistics, Cognitive Science and Psycholinguistics.

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Deputy Associate Deans

Deputy Associate Dean Indigenous - Dr Arlie Alizzi

Deputy Associate Dean Research Grants - Professor Fiona Fidler

Deputy Associate Dean Research Impact - Dr Kate Williams

Deputy Associate Dean Partnerships - Associate Professor Rachel Diprose

Deputy Associate Dean Graduate Coursework & Director GSHSS - Associate Professor Delia Lin

Deputy Associate Dean Undergraduate & Director BA - Professor Véronique Duché

Deputy Associate Dean Graduate Research - Associate Professor Heather Benbow Deputy

Associate Dean International (China) - Associate Professor Anthony Spires

Deputy Associate Dean International (Indonesia) - Associate Professor Edwin Jurriens

Deputy Associate Dean International (India) - Dr Pradeep Taneja

Deputy Associate Dean Diversity & Inclusion - Dr Sheelagh Daniels-Mayes

Deputy Associate Dean Alumni & Public Programs - Professor Tim Parkin

Deputy Associate Dean Sustainability – Professor Chris Healy

Director, Digital Studio - Professor David Goodman

Head of Arts Discovery - Professor Jackie Dutton

  • Faculty governance

    The Arts Faculty Executive Committee (AFEC) chaired by the Dean is the key governance for the Faculty of Arts, with the Humanities Foundation Board established in 2013 to oversee the Faculty's fundraising efforts in support of the humanities disciplines.

  • Faculty Forum

    The Faculty Forum is open to all Faculty of Arts staff and invited students.  The quarterly Forum is a means for more inclusive collegial engagement, a setting where we share thoughts and suggestions and address the concerns of all.  It considers key matters of Faculty business for the purpose of wider collegial consultation.

  • Faculty standing committees
    • Faculty Management Committee
    • Diversity & Inclusion Committee
    • Education and Students Committee
    • Indigenous Strategy Committee
    • International Committee
    • Occupational Health & Safety Committee
    • Partnerships Committee
    • Research Committee