Professor McDermott is currently Director of Flinders University’s two Poche Centres for Indigenous Health and Well-Being (Adelaide and Northern Territory).
La Trobe University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Kerri-Lee Krause, welcomed Professor McDermott to the University.
“Dennis brings enormous depth of experience as an academic and is well connected to government agencies concerned with Indigenous policy and health, and more widely with Indigenous communities and networks,” Professor Krause said.
“He will bring great knowledge and leadership to the development and implementation of Indigenous strategy at La Trobe, encompassing our city and regional campuses.
“Professor McDermott’s appointment reflects La Trobe’s commitment to expanding our social justice and equity agendas in the Indigenous area.”
In his role as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous), Professor McDermott will work across all areas of the University to guide and develop strategies to enhance the participation, support and success of Indigenous Australian students, as well as the recruitment and retention of Indigenous Australian staff, and furthering the University’s Indigenous Education Strategy.
Another key aspect of the role will be to enhance the integration of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into La Trobe’s research, course curricula and governance processes.
About Professor Dennis McDermott
Professor Dennis McDermott is a psychologist, academic and poet.
He has previously been awarded a National Senior Teaching Fellowship from the Australian Government Office of Learning and Teaching and has written and lectured extensively in the field of health and Indigenous education.
In addition to his current role at Flinders University, Professor McDermott has also served as Associate Head of Faculty for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and as a member of numerous academic and government advisory committees.
He is a Koori man from north-western New South Wales (Gomeroi country), with connections to Gadigal country (inner Sydney).
Professor McDermott will commence his new role in February 2019.
Media Contact: Claire Bowers – c.bowers@latrobe.edu.au - 9479 2315 / 0437279903
