Professor Wendy Mayer appointed Dean of Research Strategy

The Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Sherlock has announced the appointment of Professor Wendy Mayer as the Dean of Research Strategy at the University of Divinity, commencing 1 February 2020. This two-year, part-time position is designed to support collaboration across the University in renewal and delivery of its research strategy. This collegial approach is reflected in the structure of the new position as a secondment from one of the University’s Colleges.

Professor Sherlock said “I am delighted by Professor Mayer’s appointment as the new Dean of Research Strategy and look forward to the strengths she will bring to the role, combining a record of research excellence with a deep commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement with community partnerships. Together with the appointment of Associate Professor Liz Boase as inaugural Dean of the School of Graduate Research, the University is well-placed to accomplish its Vision and Mission in research and research training – to address the issues of the contemporary world through critical engagement with Christian theological traditions.”

Professor Wendy Mayer said:

I am excited by the opportunity to build on the strong foundation developed by Professor John McDowell. I see the Dean of Research Strategy role as requiring close partnership with the University’s colleges, their researchers and research coordinators as we work together to build the University’s capacity to the next level. There is a wealth of opportunity across the colleges, their supporting churches and agencies to address so many compelling social issues.

Australian Lutheran College Principal James Winderlich said “Australian Lutheran College is grateful for this opportunity to support the wider work of the University.  An active research culture underpins all that we do, no matter the level.  Our college wholeheartedly supports Professor Mayer in this new venture of service and leadership.  We have benefitted from her gifts for a number of years, and we look forward to seeing what those gifts might mean for the whole University community.”

Professor Wendy Mayer FAHA is the Associate Dean (Research) at Australian Lutheran College and a Professor of the University of Divinity. An expert in early Christianity, she has published 15 single- and co-authored or edited books and over 70 journal articles, book chapters and encyclopedia entries. She has been an investigator on 5 Australian Research Council grants over the past two decades and has an outstanding record of international and interdisciplinary collaboration. Professor Mayer has successfully developed and implemented research strategy, including five years as Deputy Director of Centre for Early Christian Studies, her role as Associate Dean (Research) at Australian Lutheran College. Her research leadership was most recently recognised in her election as the Head of Religion for the Australian Academy of the Humanities.