Professor Susan Dodds, a leading researcher in moral psychology, ethics and political philosophy, has been appointed Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences at UNSW.
Wendy Frew
UNSW Media Office
9385 2481
w.frew@unsw.edu.au
Professor Susan Dodds, a leading researcher in moral psychology, ethics and political philosophy, has been appointed Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences at UNSW, President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Jacobs announced today.
Professor Dodds is currently Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Tasmania, where she is also Deputy Provost. Among her many professional roles, she is the President and Chair of the Australian Council of Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, and Chair of the Australasian Association of Philosophy.
Professor Dodds will take up her appointment at UNSW shortly after Easter 2016. Professor Eileen Baldry, who has served as Interim Dean since the departure of Professor James Donald in July, will continue in her role until then.
UNSW Arts & Social Sciences is in a strong position and I have no doubt Professor Dodds will lift the faculty to the next level in its development.
“We are delighted to welcome someone of the calibre of Professor Dodds to UNSW,” Professor Jacobs said. “Apart from her leadership credentials, she has 25 years’ experience in higher education, and her research focus in political philosophy, bioethics and feminist philosophy puts her at the forefront of many of society’s most important public and ethical debates.
“UNSW Arts & Social Sciences is in a strong position and I have no doubt Professor Dodds will lift the faculty to the next level in its development.”
Prior to taking up the Dean’s position at Tasmania, Professor Dodds spent 19 years at the University of Wollongong, which included a role as Head of the School of English Literatures, Philosophy and Languages.
Her research projects include work on bioethics policy making in pluralist democracies, human vulnerability and the ethical and social impact of developing technologies.
She has several ARC grants for research to address human vulnerability, democratic decision-making and health care ethics. She is currently the University of Tasmania Node Leader and Ethics, Policy and Public Engagement Theme Leader on a $25 million research grant through the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science.
Professor Jacobs acknowledged the outstanding work of Professor Baldry as Interim Dean.
“Eileen generously agreed to take on the interim role, at my request, in the best interest of the Faculty and University. She has led the Faculty astutely and as a member of the University Executive Team she has also made an important contribution to the UNSW 2025 Strategic Planning process.
“I am delighted to announce that in addition to her ongoing academic activities Eileen will take on the role of Academic Chair of our new UNSW Diversity and Equality Board, a key component of our 2025 Strategy.
“Eileen will bring to the role her impressive experience in social justice research and sector engagement across mental health; the criminal justice system; education; Indigenous social work and community development and social housing.
“In this role she will work closely with me to identify and bring together Diversity ‘Champions’ from across UNSW to lead and inspire the staff and student elements of the ‘Just Society’ theme of the UNSW 2025 Strategy,” Professor Jacobs said.