The Australian Council of Learned Academies welcomes Professor Glenn Withers AO FASSA FRSN as the President of the Council for 2018. Professor Withers, President of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, succeeds Professor John Fitzgerald FAHA, outgoing President of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, following scheduled rotation of the ACOLA Council Presidency.
ACOLA also extends our congratulations and warm welcome to Professor Joy Damousi FASSA FAHA, newly elected President of the Australian Academy of the Humanities who succeeds Professor Fitzgerald.
Over the past year, ACOLA has benefited greatly from the presidency and leadership of Professor Fitzgerald as it has worked to establish several new projects as well as formal completion of the SAF Program. Under Professor Fitzgerald’s leadership ACOLA has continued to strengthen its reputation and derive value from its interdisciplinary approach to examining issues of major importance to Australia.
ACOLA recognises and is very grateful for the valuable legacy that Professor Fitzgerald and other Presidents have helped create over time. From the current “Horizon Scanning” reports to the ACOLA-developed projects that are being proposed ACOLA’s influence and the breadth of its audience continues to grow. These are valuable opportunities for the Academies and their Fellows to continue bringing novel and influential perspectives to address complex social, cultural and technological issues.
ACOLA thanks Professor Fitzgerald for his leadership and contributions, and looks forward to working with Professor Withers in his role as ACOLA President.
