December 8, 2020

UOW honours four outstanding academics with Emeritus Professorships

Recipients recognised for remarkable careers and contribution to research, learning and teaching

Four distinguished academics have been admitted as Emeritus Professor to the University of Wollongong Honorary List, in recognition of their immense contributions to their fields of expertise.

During a small, COVID-safe conferral ceremony at UOW’s Innovation Campus today (Tuesday 8 December), Professor Ross Bradstock, Professor Rian Dippenaar, Professor Amanda Lawson, and Professor Graham Williams were all designated Emeritus Professors.

Professor Paul Wellings CBE, UOW’s Vice-Chancellor, said it was a pleasure to be able to honour the four academics, who have each made significant contributions to their discipline, to the community, and to the University.

“It is an immense honour to be able to recognise and celebrate the work of Rian, Ross, Amanda, and Graham, who are all world-class scholars and leaders in their fields,” Professor Wellings said.

“It has been an extraordinary year, but in among all the changes that 2020 has brought, we can’t forget the importance of celebrating those who have given their all to the University, in teaching, learning, research, and governance. I wish to extend my congratulations to UOW’s newest Emeritus Professors.”

An Emeritus Professorship is bestowed on retired professors who have made a remarkable contribution to the University community and to research or teaching.

Professor Bradstock retired earlier this year after 15 years at UOW. During that time, he was founder and director of the Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires, leading a multidisciplinary team of researchers working to understand the risk that bushfires pose to the environment, people, and wildlife.

Professor Rian Dippenaar, who retired in July, has been a passionate educator and expert in his field of steelmaking, creating strong links with industry that have enabled research to be transformed into practice. He was also a popular and passionate lecturer and PhD supervisor.

Professor Amanda Lawson, the former Deputy Director and Chief Investigator of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, stepped back from UOW in April. Throughout her time at UOW, she made an outstanding contribution to learning, teaching, research, and governance in the creative arts. She also oversaw the UOW Art Collection for a decade.

Professor Graham Williams spent 35 years at UOW, taking on many different roles during that time, including Head of School, Deputy Dean, and Deputy Chair of the Academic Senate. He was also a gifted leader and mentor to countless students and colleagues. An internationally renowned mathematician and scholar, Professor Williams retired in 2018.