Monash University Indigenous studies expert among esteemed class
Leading Monash University Indigenous studies academic Professor Lynette Russell AM has been elected as one of the newest 2023 members to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Science.
Professor Russell, who is the only Monash University appointee this year, is among 269 academics from 23 countries across the world to be named as the latest 2023 members.
She is one of only three people from Australia to be appointed to this academy this year.
“This is a surprising honour,” Professor Russell said.
“I am simply thrilled to be elected to this learned academy, as you can see the names of other members is quite intimidating.”
Professor Russell is the Australian Research Council Kathleen Fitzpatrick Laureate Professor in the Monash Indigenous Studies Centre. She has dedicated her professional career to anthropological history, post-colonialism studies and representations of race, museum studies and popular culture.
Further, Professor Russell has been instrumental in the establishment and development of the Global Encounters & First Nations Peoples: 1000 Years of Australian History project which explores encounters between Australia’s Indigenous peoples and voyagers from the sea over the period of a millennium.
Faculty of Arts Dean Katie Stevenson said Professor Russell’s election recognises the importance of thriving research in the arts and humanities in Australia and provides international recognition that Australia’s leading intellectuals are crucial in shaping solutions for global problems.
“The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one the world’s most prestigious collections of the finest minds of our day,” Professor Stevenson said.
“Lynette's election to the American Academy is a profound honour and her expertise in history, anthropology and archaeology will be a welcome contribution to the work of the Academy in navigating our post-colonial age.”
The Academy is an honorary society, which elects new members from the non-profit, private, and public sectors, and is an independent policy organisation with initiatives in the arts, democracy, education, global affairs, and science.
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences has been honouring excellence for more than 240 years, with Benjamin Franklin and George Washington among its first members in 1781.
Visit the American Academy of Arts and Science website to find out more.