Returning home: Farewelling Professor Ian Anderson AO
The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and I will miss Ian’s collegial leadership and his absolute commitment to the ANU strategy to be a standard-bearer for equity and inclusion.
After a three-year term at ANU, Professor Ian Anderson AO, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Experience),is heading home to Tasmania.
A Palawa man, Ian is returning to his home stateof lutruwita (Tasmania) to take on the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø of Tasmania.
"I am delighted for Ian to be returning to lutruwita/Tasmania, where he spent many of his formative years and where he has such deep connections. Of course, his departure will be bittersweet for the ANU community. The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and I will miss Ian's collegial leadership and his absolute commitment to the ANU strategy to be a standard-bearer for equity and inclusion," Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt said.
"I wish to warmly thank Ian for his work and his leadership, and to wish him every success as he takes on his new leadership role at UTAS."
Ian joined ANU as Deputy Vice-Chancellor in March 2020, following a period as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and a distinguished career in academia and leadership in Melbourne. Ian's arrival coincided with the onset of the COVID pandemic, forcing major changes to the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's business model and working practices, which Ian took in his stride and demonstrated great leadership to his Portfolio.
Dr James Brann, Director of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Experience, who has worked closely with Ian over the last 18 months, says thatIan "has a remarkable ability to elevate the conversation beyond the day to dayand to view challenges with a sense of curiosity and compassion. You do not alwaysget to see it publicly, but Ian also has a particularly good sense of a humour. Personally, I will miss Ian's ability to reflect on the more peculiar aspects of our work with a dry wit and his constant reminders to not take ourselves too seriously."
Ian was instrumental in reforming the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's approach to health, safety and wellbeing for our students, helping the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø transition to remote work and study as part of the COVID response, and has been at theheart of our response to many of the critical challenges we have faced. Our work to make our campus the safest and most respectful in Australia will continue, building on Ian's remarkablelegacy.
Ian's last day with ANU will be 20 January 2023.
Story by Pamela Hutchinson
