Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) and Senior Vice-President

Professor Tristan Kennedy

Professor Tristan Kennedy is a Noongar Aboriginal man and commenced as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) at Monash University in December 2022, and became Monash's first Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) and Senior Vice-President in September 2024.

He is an internationally-recognised researcher and educator, with more than 10 years of experience in the higher education sector.

Before joining Monash, Professor Kennedy was Associate Professor and Director of Research Training at the Department of Indigenous Studies at Macquarie University. He brings to Monash strong business acumen, research collaboration and aspirational leadership, drawing on his own research to contribute to improved outcomes for Indigenous staff, students and the wider community. Professor Kennedy is also a member of the Kaurna community in South Australia.

Professor Kennedy has contemporary research interests, attracting growing international interest and collaboration in areas such as identities in online social spaces, Indigenous studies and education, and digital communication technologies. His academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (2007), Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (2011) and Doctor of Philosophy (2019) from Flinders University, and a Graduate Diploma of Education (2008) from University of Adelaide.