UNSW has confirmed the appointment of Ann Mossop to the newly created position, Head of Strategic Events, to champion the critical place of universities in leading open and informed debate.
UNSW has confirmed the appointment of Ann Mossop to the newly created position, Head of Strategic Events, to champion the critical place of universities in leading open and informed debate, connecting the best brains both in Australia and overseas.
Ann Mossop’s previous role included co-curating the Festival of Dangerous ideas for the Sydney Opera House, bringing speakers from around the world to Sydney to discuss topics ranging from death to drugs, politics to parenting, and sexism to slavery.
Fiona Docherty, UNSW’s Vice-President (International, Marketing and Communications), said the University was thrilled to welcome Ann to the community.
“Having worked in or around the performing arts space for most of her life, Ann is not afraid of starting important and necessary conversations.
“We believe the hallmark of a great university in the 21st century is its ability to shine a light on the issues of the day (whether its climate change, inequality or the plight of refugees) and to encourage people with different perspectives and ideas to come together to seek solutions to some of the wicked problems we face as a society.
“We aspire to be Australia’s Global University and we hope that some of the world’s most influential thinkers will converge at UNSW and join the important conversations we are having, to help make a difference to people’s lives,” Ms Docherty said.
“Ann’s wonderful skills and experience will help us widen those conversations out beyond our campus, and reach out into our community in new and innovative ways.”
Ann Mossop, who will begin her new role in late March, said she had always enjoyed working in the world of ideas and the University’s plans to improve people’s understanding of their world through open and informed debate had made the role very attractive.
“The University has an ambitious agenda to expand its current engagement through a range of new ideas. This as an exciting opportunity for me to work with some really great people and minds, both nationally and internationally,” Ms Mossop said.