Honorary Doctorates
Curtin University’s Honorary Awards are prestigious honours intended to recognise individuals’ substantial achievements and contributions.
Each of the eight Honorary Doctorates has a different focus, but all are of equal status. The criteria for the award are as follows:
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- Exceptional service to the University, usually over a sustained period of time and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
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- Distinguished contribution to an academic discipline or field of endeavor, relating to the creative arts and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
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- Distinguished contribution to an academic discipline or field of endeavor, relating to the commerce and business and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
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- Distinguished contribution to an academic discipline or field of endeavor, relating to engineering and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
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- Distinguished contribution to an academic discipline or field of endeavor, relating to law and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
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- Distinguished contribution to an academic discipline or field of endeavor relating to humanities and social sciences and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
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- Distinguished contribution to an academic discipline or field of endeavor relating to medicine and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
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- Distinguished contribution to an academic discipline or field of endeavor, relating to the physical sciences or health sciences and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
Honorary Doctorates recipients
Honorary Doctor of Letters
- Ms Lee Musumeci
For exceptional service and making a difference to young people form disadvantaged communities by improving educational and lift outcomes through innovative leadership and practice in primary education and health.
Honorary Doctor of Commerce
- Mr John Barrington
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the commercial and arts sectors of Western Australia through exceptional leadership and service. - Mr Charlie Bass
In recognition of his outstanding support of innovation and entrepreneurship as key drivers of the Western Australian economy. - Mr Ben Wyatt
For distinguished public service to the economy of Western Australia through exceptional financial management, and to Aboriginal people through land reform and equity initiatives.
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Mr Ben Wyatt providing an occasional address.
Honorary Doctor of Letters
- Ms Libby Lyons
For distinguished service to the social sciences through outstanding and influential advocacy for gender equality in the workplace, with impacts in Australia and internationally.
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Ms Libby Lyons and Dr Andrew Crane, Chancellor.
Honorary Doctor of Medicine
- Dr Janice Bell
In recognition of her outstanding contribution at state and national levels to the field of General Practice and medical workforce education and training and her service as inaugural Chair of the Curtin Medical School external advisory committee. - Professor Sandra Eades
In recognition of her outstanding contribution and distinguished service to medical research, indigenous health, and to professional organisations.
Honorary Doctor of Science
- Colonel Pamela Melroy
For services and leadership in space exploration and innovation in Australia and globally. - Dr Tracy Ayre
Tracy Carol Ayre has made a sustained contribution to nursing and nurse education in Singapore through her focus on empowering nurses to provide high quality patient centred care.
Honorary Doctor of the University
- Mr Steve Scudamore
For his long-standing and significant contribution to Curtin University and the Western Australian community. - Mr Neil Warburton
For distinguished service to Curtin University and to the mining and resources sector, through outstanding leadership, advocacy and philanthropic support of mining education through scholarships funding. - Ms Sue Wilson
In recognition of exceptional leadership and wise counsel to Curtin University and the community.
Honorary Doctor of Engineering
- Mr Edgar Basto
In recognition of an outstanding contribution to the global mining and resources sector, as an innovative sector, as an innovative engineer, successful manager and highly respected leader. - Mr Peter Coleman
In recognition of an outstanding contribution to the resources sector in Western Australia and globally.
Honorary Doctor of Medicine
- Dr Jonathan Carapetis
In recognition of an outstanding contribution to the local, national and international field of medicine and healthcare.
Honorary Doctor of Science
- Ms Margaret Culbong
In recognition of five decades of service, leadership and commitment to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples, and her contribution to establishing Aboriginal controlled community health organisations.
Honorary Doctor of Commerce
- Ms Elizabeth Gaines
For outstanding leadership in the Western Australian business community as a pioneering female CEO, and of ongoing commitment to Curtin University.
Honorary Doctor of Science
- Professor Andrew Holmes
For seminal and pioneering contributions to the fields of conjugated polymeric materials and biological chemistry and for insprirational leadership communicating science and the development of Australian science policy. - Mr Kerry Stokes AC
In recognition of his significant and sustained commitment to child health research and to building a culture of philanthropy in Western Australia.
Honorary Doctor of the University
- Mr Peter Bradford
For distinguished services to Curtin University through outstanding leadership, advocacy and philanthropic support of mining education at WASM and education broadly across Curtin through scholarship opportunities.
Honorary Doctor of Arts
- Ms Pippin Drysdale
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the field of ceramic arts and developing the Western Australian arts community.
Honorary Doctor of Commerce
- Mr Richard Goyder AO
In recognition of exceptional leadership in business and outstanding contributions to the Australian Community. - Ms Amanda Healy
In recognition of distinguished services to business and commerce as an outstanding businesswoman and social entrepreneur, with an exceptional contribution to empowering Aboriginal women through employment and leadership programs.
Honorary Doctor of Engineering
- Mr William Bill Beament
In recognition of distinguished service to the mining sector and mining education in Western Australia through outstanding leadership, advocacy and influence. - Mr Thomas Shannon
In recognition for distinguished services to engineering through sustained innovation in the development of motion capture systems, with worldwide benefits in the health and life sciences, entertainment and engineering. - Mr Irving Tan Tiang Yew
In recognition of distinguished services to engineering, advancing the discipline through visionary technological innovation and transformation, and university-industry collaboration.
Honorary Doctor of Laws
- Ms Helen Corbett
In recognition of outstanding contributions to the cause of justice for Indigenous peoples in Australia and throughout the world.
Honorary Doctor of Letters
- Professor Anant Agarwal
In recognition of his leadership role in providing access to high-quality education on a global scale. - Professor Sir Ian Diamond
In recognition of outstanding service in social science and higher education and advanced international research collaboration in Western Australia.
Honorary Doctor of the University
- Mr Terry Agnew
In recognition of outstanding service to Curtin University that has enhanced the Faculty of Business and Law’s global standing; and for ongoing leadership within the Western Australian business community. - Mr Colin Barnett
In recognition of important support provided, as Premier of Western Australia, for key Curtin University initiatives, and significantly improved services to the underprivileged and disadvantaged of our community. - Mr Colin Beckett
In recognition of significant and extended service to Curtin University; and a substantial record of contribution to the education, energy, science and infrastructure sectors in Australia. - Professor Eric Charoux
In recognition of furthering Curtin’s strategic aims as a global university through the successful establishment of the Charles Telfair Institute and its evolution into the Curtin Mauritius campus. - Mrs Odylle Charoux
In recognition of furthering Curtin’s strategic aims as a global university through the successful establishment of the Charles Telfair Institute and its evolution into the Curtin Mauritius campus.
Honorary Doctor of Commerce
- Ms Tania Constable
In recognition for service to public policy and Australia’s energy resources sector, and for her commitment to the role of carbon capture and storage in reducing global carbon emissions.
Honorary Doctor of Letters
- Mr Alan Dodge
In recognition of significant contribution to the arts in Western Australia, Australia and internationally, his mentorship, and his tireless advocacy and promotion of arts education and accessibility. - Ms Julia Gillard
In recognition of a distinguished career in political leadership and outstanding contributions in the fields of education, industrial relations, social inclusion, environmental protection and telecommunications.
Honorary Doctor of Science
- Mr Brian Wall
In recognition of exemplary achievements in pharmacy and public health administration and education; and in recognition of major outcomes achieved in public health and health service improvement in Australia.
Honorary Doctor of the University
- Mr Bill Tai
In recognition of service to building an entrepreneurial community at Curtin and globally; and inspiring, encouraging and backing early stage tech entrepreneurs.
Honorary Doctor of Letters
- Ms Kate Mulvany
Ms Kate Mulvany is a prolific, award-winning playwright, screenwriter, librettist and actor whose concerns have extended to social activism and defending the role of arts in society.
Honorary Doctor of Letters
- Former High Court Justice, the Honourable Michael Kirby
In recognition of an outstanding record of judicial service and his promotion of human rights in Australia and overseas. You can read Michael Kirby’s occasional address from the February 2017 Graduations here. - Emeritus Professor Graeme Turner
In recognition of his contribution to the fields of media studies and cultural studies internationally. You can read Emeritus Professor Turner’s occasional address from the February 2017 Graduations here.
Honorary Doctor of Science
- Dr Vanessa Guthrie
In recognition of her contribution to Australia’s resources industry through academic scholarship, industry innovation and policy setting. You can read Dr Guthrie’s occasional address from the February 2017 Graduation Ceremony here.
Professor Deborah Terry (Vice-Chancellor) and Dr Vanessa Guthrie at the February 2017 Graduations
- Emeritus Professor Constantine (Con) Michael AO
In recognition of his highly distinguished service in the field of medicine both in WA and nationally, and as a pioneer in establishing tertiary medical education and research in this State, particularly in his discipline of obstetrics and gynaecology. You can read Emeritus Professor Michael’s occasional address from the February 2017 Graduation Ceremony here.
Professor Deborah Terry (Vice-Chancellor), Emeritus Professor Con Michael, Professor William Hart (Dean of Medicine) and Mr Colin Beckett (Chancellor) at the February 2017 Graduations
Honorary Doctor of Letters
- Chief Justice Wayne Martin
In recognition of exceptional contribution and ensuring greater access, transparency, compassion and human understanding to the administration of the law in Western Australia.
Honorary Doctor of Science
- Emeritus Professor Michael McManus
For outstanding contributions to the science of human drug metabolism and exemplary leadership in the fields of science and higher education.
Professor Kevin Batty (Head of School of Pharmacy), Mr Colin Beckett (Chancellor), Emeritus Professor Michael McManus (Recipient), and Professor Deborah Terry (Vice-Chancellor)
Honorary Doctor of the University
- Professor Ellen Kraly
In recognition of exceptional service to the Noongar people and Curtin University in the repatriation of the Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artworks: our heart coming home.
Honorary Doctor of Letters
- Mr George Jones
In recognition of exceptional contribution to the mining industry and philanthropy in Western Australia. - Dr Frances Pinter
In recognition of distinguished contribution to the publishing industry and exceptional record of service to professional and public life.
Honorary Doctor of the University
- Mr Malcolm McCusker
In recognition of distinguished contribution and outstanding achievements to the Western Australian community and to the University as a legal practitioner, philanthropist and Governor. - Mrs Tonya McCusker
In recognition of distinguished service to the University and the broader community in the fields of philanthropy, leadership and community well being.
Honorary Doctor of Science
- Mr Andrew Mackenzie
In recognition of his contribution to the discipline of geochemistry and for strategic leadership in the resources industry.
Honorary Doctor of Technology
- Dr Jim Gill
- Professor Jeanette Hacket AM
- Mr Garry Willinge
Honorary Doctor of Science
- Mr Charles Morgan
In recognition of his vision and commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation.
Honorary Doctor of Science
- Madam Swee Hia Lim
In recognition of her distinguished contribution to the field of nursing. - Professor Fiona Stanley
As Foundation Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Professor Stanley has championed health and medical research and the importance of children and youth for Australia’s future.
Honorary Doctor of Letters
2009
- Mr Don Humphreys
2007
- Dr Ian Bernadt
- Emeritus Professor David Black
- Dr James Loh
Honorary Doctor of Science
2010
- Mr Tom Calma
- Dr John O’Sullivan
- Professor Bryant Stokes
2009
- Professor Guo Huadong
2008
- Dr Jim Ross
- President (Professor) Lu Yongxiang
2006
- Professor Reginald Malcolm McCulloch
Honorary Doctor of Technology
2010
- Mr William Gordon Martin
2007
- Emeritus Professor Lance Twomey
Honorary Doctor of Letters
2005
- Professor Reginald Thomas Appleyard AM
- Hon John Cowdell
- Ms Hazel Hawke
2004
- Mr Richard Fairfax Court
- Kim Shin Lee
- Mr Ian MacKenzie
2003
- Mr Brian Blanchflower
2002
- Hon Dr Elsie Kay Hallahan
- Mr Toshitami Kaihara
- Mr Simon Lee
2001
- Mrs Ellen Jane Cox
- Ms Cheryl May Davenport
- Mrs Elizabeth Heenan
2000
- Dr Diana Lynn Allen
- Mrs Patricia Bunny
- Dr Kun Pui Cheong
- Mr Clive Deverall
- Ms Pantjiti Mary McLean
Honorary Doctor of Science
2000
- Ms Ann Choo
Honorary Doctor of Technology
2005
- Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
- His Excellency Lieutenant General John Sanderson AC
2004
- Richard August Tastula
2002
- Mr Charles Henry (Harry) Perkins
2001
- Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr George Chan Hong Nam
2000
- Philip Michael Jeffery
- Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud
Honorary Doctor of Letters
1999
- Haruhisha Handa
1998
- Mr Trevor Michael Gorey
- Dr Carol Rudyard
1997
- Ms Audrey Jackson
- Mr Richard Malkin Bradley Reynolds
- Ms Miriam Stannage
- Mr Michio Torii
1996
- Mr Edmund William Barker
- Dr Richard Cleaver
- Mr Raymond F Johnson
- Hon Mr Justice Henry Litton
- President Fidel Valdes Ramos
- Dr Suebtrakul Soonthornthum
Honorary Doctor of Science
1998
- Ms Joy Brann
- Professor Michael Daube
1996
- Mr Leon Andrew Davis
- Dr Eric Gaychee Tan
Honorary Doctor of Technology
1999
- Emeritus Professor Marcus Liveris
1998
- Emeritus Professor John Edgar Maloney
1997
- Hon Mr Justice Peter Frederick Brinsden
- Mr Harry William Sorensen
- Dr Howard Hamilton Taylor
Honorary Doctor of Letters
1995
- Dr Kay Chai Khoo
- Tan Sri Dato Dr Lim Kok Wing Lim
- Dato Ming Swee Tan
1994
- Mrs Elizabeth A Churcher
1993
- Datuk Sin Bee Cheah
- Tan Sri Dato’ Kay Peng Khoo
1992
- Tan Sri Dr Chin Tuan Tan
Honorary Doctor of Science
1995
- Mr Ian F Burston
- Mr Brian Clifford Edwards
- Dr Roy M Green
- Dr Michael G Kailis
- Dr RogerA G Vines
1994
- Dr Frank R Honey
1992
- Mr Charles H Warman
Honorary Doctor of Technology
1995
- Emeritus Professor John de Laeter
1993
- Hon Malcolm John Bryce
- Dr Colin Rex Joyner
1991
- Sir James Cruthers
Honorary Doctor of Letters
1990
- Dr Francis Aubie Sharr
Honorary Doctor of Science
1989
- Sir Arvi Parbo
- Dr Alec Francis Trendall
Honorary Doctor of Technology
1988
- Sir Donald Payze Eckersley
1987
- Professor Donald Walter Watts
1986
- Emeritus Professor Elizabeth Jolley
Honorary Doctor of Technology
1985
- Hon Mr Justice Alan J Barblett
1984
- Dr Thomas S Ivankovich
1983
- Sir George Bedbrook
- Dr Walter Douglas Neal
1982
- Sir Charles Court
- Dr Dolph W Zink
1981
- Dr Reginald C Buckett
- Dr Hayden Stanley Williams
1980
- Dr Erica Underwood
Honorary Doctor of Technology
1978
- Sir Wallace Kyle
- Sir Laurence Brodie-Hall
1976
- Dr Roy Haliday Henderson