Wendy Mayer appointed Professor

Congratulations to Professor Wendy Mayer, appointed a Professor of the University of Divinity by the University Council on 8 March 2017. Professor Mayer was recently appointed as the Associate Dean for Research at Australian Lutheran College, Adelaide, and brings an outstanding record in theological scholarship to the University.

In announcing the appointment the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Sherlock, said:

“Professor Mayer is an internationally recognised scholar in early Christianity, especially the preaching of John Chrysostom. I am delighted that the University will benefit from her acclaimed research and her commitment to research training, mentoring and public engagement in a wide range of areas.

“Members of the Council have expressed their delight at her appointment as the first Professor of the University from Australian Lutheran College. It is particularly appropriate that Professor Mayer, only the third woman to become a Professor of the University, was awarded the title on International Women’s Day.

“On behalf of the University, I congratulate Professor Mayer and Australian Lutheran College, and look forward to her contribution to the University, wider community, and theological scholarship in the years ahead.”

The citation for the appointment follows.

Professor Wendy Mayer is an internationally acclaimed expert in early Christian studies, widely praised for her scholarship on the preacher John Chrysostom. She is author, editor or co-author of a dozen monographs and over seventy journal articles, and has been recipient of numerous Australian Research Council fellowships and grants. Professor Mayer’s most recent research has stimulated new scholarly directions in the history of medicine and she is a member of the founding Board of Directors of the international Working Group for Religion, Medicine, Disability and Health in Late Antiquity. She has rendered significant service to the academy, church and community as a distinguished visiting academic, research mentor for early career academics, consultant and member of ecumenical dialogues, and as a leader and participant in grassroots community empowerment programs.