Bioethics expert new dean for arts and social sciences

Leading global health and social medicine researcher Professor Bronwyn Parry has been appointed as the new dean of The Australian National University’s College of Arts and Social Sciences.

Professor Parry joins ANU from King’s College London, where she is currently Vice President & Vice Principal for Service and also holds a Chair in global health and social medicine.

She previously established the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at King’s and was the Inaugural Head of the School of Global Affairs, a vibrant hub of multi-disciplinary scholarship to collectively address some of the world’s most pressing societal challenges.

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt said he was “delighted” to announce Professor Parry as the new dean of the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences and University Lead for Social Impact.

“Bronwyn has a distinguished academic record, publishing widely on assisted reproduction, dementia, bioinformation, biosurveillance and the global trade in organs and bodily commodities,” Professor Schmidt said.

“A significant element of Bronwyn’s recent portfolio has been her commitment to social impact, civic engagement, and equity, diversity and inclusion.

“In her capacity as Director of King’s Sanctuary Programme she has coordinated the university’s response to the global refugee crisis and supported the development of sector-leading initiatives. She has also led the development of King’s Community Sponsorship, which has since been upscaled in response to the Ukrainian crisis.

“Bronwyn has worked closely with key international stakeholders, community partners and influencers on projects that work to identify the needs of underserved communities and to facilitate their access to higher education.

“As Senior Sponsor for LGBTQi and Faculty Lead for Diversity and Inclusion at King’s, she has embedded a new ethos and methodology for enhancing equal participation through iterative cross-institutional engagement.

“Bronwyn is very much looking forward to bringing these skills and her expertise in leadership, collaborative working, and change management to ANU.”

In addition to a celebrated academic and research career, Professor Parry was the first female carpenter in the Australian film and television industry, working on films such as Mad Max Beyond ThunderDome, Mad Max 2 and Dead Calm, as well as the opening of the Commonwealth Games.

Professor Parry replaces Professor Rae Frances who has served as Dean of the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences since June 2017 and finishes later this year.

Professor Parry will commence her appointment in early November 2022.