University of Western Australia
Professor James Arvanitakis has been appointed new Director of the Forrest Research Foundation.
The Forrest Research Foundation was established in Western Australia to support a community of exceptional scholars undertake ground-breaking doctoral and postdoctoral research.
The foundation provides scholarships and fellowships to outstanding intellects from around the world to conduct research at one of Western Australia’s five universities – UWA, Murdoch University, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University and University of Notre Dame.
Professor Arvanitakis was the former Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement and Advancement) at Western Sydney University, Principal Consultant at the Astrolabe Group, and Executive Director of Fulbright Australia.
After a successful career in finance and human rights, he has worked with universities for more than 15 years establishing innovative education and research programs.
In addition to this, he has a regular segment on ABC News 24 discussing complex and controversial issues, has published over 100 articles, and is an award-winning educator and researcher.
Forrest Research Foundation co-founder Nicola Forrest AO is thrilled Professor Arvanitakis is coming on board.
“We are delighted to welcome Professor Arvanitakis to Forrest Research Foundation,” Mrs Forrest said.
“Western Australia deserves a world-class research community, to tackle global challenges and push us forward as a society. We are looking forward to working alongside Professor Arvanitakis to help make our State the destination for the world’s best and brightest researchers."
UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma said thanks to the generosity of Andrew and Nicola Forrest and the Minderoo Foundation, the Forrest Research Foundation worked with the scholars and fellows to build a dynamic research and academic community in Western Australia.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Professor Arvanitakis to the Foundation and UWA in September and I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank Professor Paul Johnson for his valuable contributions to the Forrest Research Foundation over the past five years,” Professor Chakma said.