Curtin University’s dual Miles Franklin Award winner Kim Scott has been appointed Professor of Writing in the School of Media, Culture and Creative Arts.
Professor Scott will this week commence a five-year appointment in the School, working also in Curtin’s Centre for Aboriginal Studies and the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute.
Professor Scott has authored three novels and received many literary prizes, including the Premier’s Prize in the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards, the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and the Australian Literary Society Gold Medal.
He became the first Indigenous writer to win the coveted Miles Franklin Literary Award with his first novel Benang: From the Heart in 1999.
His most recent novel, the 2011 Miles Franklin winner and critically acclaimed That Deadman Dance, was recently presented to US President Barrack Obama as part of a gift package from the Australian Government.
Curtin University Pro Vice-Chancellor for Humanities Majella Franzmann said Professor Scott’s appointment would deliver many benefits for current and future students.
“Kim is highly respected around the world for his ability,” Professor Franzmann said.
“I warmly welcome him to this new position.”
Professor Scott has a long association with Curtin University and, before this appointment, held the position of Associate Professor for CHIRI, working in the area of Indigenous health services.
