Deakin appoints new Executive Dean of Arts and Education
Media release
Deakin's University Council has appointed Professor Vanessa Lemm as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Education after an extensive search returned a quality field of applicants. Professor Lemm will begin at the end of January 2021 and succeed Professor Christine Ure, who has acted in the role since the retirement of Alfred Deakin Professor Brenda Cherednichenko in 2018.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Iain Martin said Professor Lemm, currently Vice President and Executive Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at Flinders University in South Australia, will ensure the Faculty of Arts and Education continues to make a significant contribution to public discourse and policy, as well as enhancing the cultural and public life in Australia.
"On behalf of the university community, I look forward to welcoming Professor Lemm in January as Deakin's new Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Education," Professor Martin said.
"A professor in Philosophy, Professor Lemm has a thoroughly international profile. She completed her PhD in Philosophy at the New School of Social Research in New York, MA at King's College University of London and DEA at the University of Paris, Paris I - Panthéon-Sorbonne.
"She held academic positions in the US, Germany and Chile. She was a Guest Professor funded by the Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst (DAAD) and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales.
"Professor Lemm's international perspective has shaped her vision of the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences as a key player in tackling the global challenges of our time. She has launched numerous public engagement activities and designed teaching and research programs that highlight the public role of universities and the relevance of the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences in understanding and addressing the economic, social and political problems our societies face today.
"I look forward to the contribution Professor Lemm will make as we conduct world-class research and inspire our students to reach their potential and achieve their goals.
"As we look to the future, I recognise and pay tribute to the many achievements of the now-retired Alfred Deakin Professor Brenda Cherednichenko. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to Professor Christine Ure for her excellent leadership of the Faculty as Acting Executive Dean, which will continue until Professor Lemm commences.”
