Freedom rider activist Gary Williams, distinguished Greek cinema scholar Professor Vrasidas Karalis, Roman historian Professor Tim Parkin, an expert in decision-making Professor Katie Steele and an award-winning poet Professor Sarah Holland-Batt are among 41 distinguished humanities scholars and practitioners elected to Fellowship of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.
Professor Vrasidas Karalis of University of Sydney is the leading international scholar of Greek cinema. Original and comprehensive work of data collection, analysis and interpretation represents a ground-breaking justification of the importance of the Greek cinema to the history of European cinema.
The Academy’s new Fellows represent those who have left an indelible mark on their field, and a groundbreaking contribution to our understanding of societies and cultures. Election to the Academy is the highest honour within the humanities in Australia.
President of the Academy, Professor Stephen Garton AM FAHA FRAHS FASSA FRSN said, “Each of our Fellows are working at the forefront of issues of national and international importance and exemplify why ethical, historical, creative and cultural knowledge and expertise is critical to better decision making for a resilient society.”
“Australia is facing a multitude of complex and vexed issues. Hard issues do not have black and white answers, and the humanities are critical for understanding how individuals shape and are shaped by broader social, cultural and scientific contexts. Solutions to contemporary problems require a deep understanding of these perspectives and knowledges,” Professor Garton added.
“Fellows elected today are exemplary leaders working in critical spaces where Australia needs to be — building our understanding of Asia and the Pacific, truth-telling and shedding light on a shared history and shaping our national artistic and cultural identity.”
Five researchers were elected as Corresponding Fellows with expertise in digital humanities, Islamic Studies, Asian Studies, and linguistics, who will link the Academy to new opportunities for collaboration across the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Taiwan and China.
Seven Honorary Fellows were also elected, and include visual artists, award-winning poets, art leaders and human rights activists.
The Australian Academy of the Humanities is one of Australia’s five Learned Academies — independent organisations established to encourage excellence in their respective fields and to provide expertise and advice at public, institutional and government levels.
