A message from the Dean of Arts, September 2024

Picture: Professor Jennifer Balint, Dean of Arts

It’s a pleasure to write to you, alumni and current students, as the new Dean of the Faculty of Arts.

I’ve now been at the Faculty of Arts for over 20 years, and in that time, I’ve observed just how vital the humanities and social sciences are in addressing the major challenges we currently face on both a local and global scale. My approach to academic practice and leadership has focused on forging strong partnerships with industry, government, and community organisations, including creating opportunities for students to engage with our external partners. The questions that have always motivated me are what does a just society look like, what is our responsibility to shape this, and critically, who do we need to bring together to enable it?

I’ve been fortunate to work on projects such as the Minutes of Evidence project, a collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, education experts, performance artists, community members, government and community organisations to spark public conversations about structural justice. I’ve also most recently been collaborating on the Access to Justice project, which seeks to address and understand new ways of enabling access to justice for newly arrived, migrant and refugee communities.

Working on projects like this has emphasised the importance of working in partnership. By engaging with and listening to different voices both within and outside of the University, we have the tools to affect change and make a meaningful societal  impact.

Having access to a higher education is also a form of equity and justice, and how and who we educate is critical to all our futures. This was reinforced recently at our Arts Graduations, where we heard wonderful speeches, including from our alum Sonia Lim, and Sriyanto, a graduating student from the Masters of Public Policy and Management, who gave the valedictorian speech. Sriyanto shared his experience growing up in a small rural village in Indonesia and the additional challenges he faced on his path to graduation. Of particular resonance was his advice to “…not underestimate your voice in the grand scheme of a problem… just a simple act of kindness in your community that changes one person, can change one’s life and one’s generation”.

We were also thrilled to honour Professor Alexis Wright, a Waanyi woman from the southern highlands of the Gulf of Carpentaria, who received an Honorary Doctorate for her outstanding contributions to Australian and Indigenous storytelling, and her writing, activism and public service. Professor Wright, who has also held the Boisbouvier Chair in Australian Literature in the Faculty of Arts, made history by receiving both the Miles Franklin Literary Award and The Stella Prize for her novel Praiseworthy. Our graduands were extremely privileged to hear from Professor Wright who encouraged them to “…dream big, learn how to become more imaginative, to be visionary, and to focus on building worthwhile ideas that are inclusive and equitable, and sustainable in how we care for the future, and (acknowledge the) powerful significance of our traditional lands”.

In my new capacity as Dean, I’m looking forward to strengthening our existing partnerships, including with our valued alumni, and uncovering new opportunities for our students, so they are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to take on the big questions of today.

In this issue, you’ll see a range of stories and events that celebrate the Faculty of Arts and invite us to explore new and exciting research initiatives and opportunities happening across the Faculty.

Please enjoy this edition of Articulation.

Professor Jennifer Balint
Dean of Arts