Associate Professor Simone Ulalka Tur has been appointed Flinders University’s inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous).

In her new role Associate Professor Tur is responsible for engagement with Indigenous students, staff and the broader community to enhance respect for Indigenous knowledge systems and perspectives, and progress Indigenous advancement in education, research, employment and wellbeing.

The role also provides guidance to Yunggorendi at Flinders to support the success of Indigenous students.

Associate Professor Tur is from the Yankunytjatjara community in north-west South Australia and resides on Kaurna Yarta, Adelaide.

Her previous leadership roles in higher education include Director of the Yunggorendi First Nations Centre for Higher Education and Research from 2011-2015, and Associate Dean Tjilbruke Teaching and Learning within Flinders’ Office of Indigenous Strategy and Engagement between 2015 and 2017.

Associate Professor Tur is also part of a collective of four Aboriginal women academics and artists in The Unbound Collective, who enact critical and creative responses to colonial archives and institutions. The sought-after group has staged its work in South Australia and interstate, including launching The National 2019: New Australian Art exhibition last year at the Art Gallery of NSW. The group has further productions planned for 2020 including an event at the Sydney Observatory in May and June.

Associate Professor Tur and Dr Ali Gumillya Baker (also a member of The Unbound Collective) shared the Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) position last year. Flinders University congratulates Associate Professor Tur on this pivotal new appointment and also thanks Dr Baker for her work in the interim period.