Director, Western Civilisation Program

anked in the top 250 universities in the world in Arts and Humanities, Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a publicly funded Catholic university which has grown rapidly in recent years. A truly global university, ACU boasts seven campuses around Australia, more than 200 partner universities on six continents, and a campus in Rome. ACU’s Catholic Mission places core activities of learning and teaching, research, and service within the context of the Catholic intellectual framework: pursuit of truth, love of the human person and service of the common good. 

Part of the Faculty of Education and Arts, the National School of Arts and Humanities at ACU is a thriving intellectual community of scholars with teaching and research strengths in key disciplines in the humanities, arts, and social sciences. In ERA 2018, the School was rated ‘at world standard’ for its research in History, Politics and Sociology, and ACU was assessed at ‘above world standard’ in Philosophy. History at ACU was also ranked equal first in Australia for research engagement and impact.  

Reporting to the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Education and Arts, an exciting opportunity exists for an outstanding scholar to take on the role of the next Director of ACU’s Program in Western Civilisation - a liberal arts program centred on a ‘great books’ approach. Students in the program explore the past, present and future of western intellectual life and culture through immersion in some of the key literary, philosophical, artistic, religious, political, and scientific works that have shaped the western tradition. A core feature of the program is the Socratic method of teaching that fosters critical reasoning and open debate.  

Presently, the Faculty is seeking an accomplished professional to become the Director of the Western Civilisation Program, ensuring sound academic leadership and the articulation of a distinct vision and strategy as the driver for the broad and continued success of the program. Holding a variety of responsibilities, the Director is critical to planning, educational, student, marketing, and recruitment functions, and liaises widely with a variety of external stakeholders to enhance the degree’s profile. The Director will be an accomplished scholar of international repute, working in one or more of the disciplines relevant to the program. A well-rounded intellectual with a strong research profile, the appointee will have an exceptional record in liberal arts education, as well as the ability to contribute to public debate. The successful candidate will possess finely honed leadership and academic performance management skills. The ability to plan and deliver complex programs and services at both the strategic and operational level, along with effective interpersonal, communications, and conflict resolution skills will be essential to success in the role.  

If you wish to discuss this role further in confidence, please contact Laisrian Flynn at [email protected]  or call our Australian office on +61+2 8075 4531. 

For more information and to submit your application please click the 'Apply' button quoting reference 7239. The deadline for applications is midnight AEST on Friday 19th April.