New Brisbane Institute appointment

The Brisbane Institute - an independent forum sponsored by The University of Queensland - has appointed a new Executive Director.

Professor Peter Spearritt, who is currently the Head of the School of Political and Social Inquiry at Monash University, was chosen from a strong field of candidates after an intensive nationwide search. As foundation director of the National Key Centre for Australian Studies at Monash Professor Spearritt is well known as a commentator on Australian life.

Brisbane Institute Chairman Ray Weekes said the Institute took some time to find the right person.

'We were looking for the right mix of academic and intellectual standing, entrepreneurial flair and commitment to the goals and ideals of the Brisbane Institute. We are confident Professor Spearritt will build on the strong standing established in the first two years of the Brisbane Institute.'

Professor Spearritt has been appointed as a Professor of History at the University of Queensland, the Brisbane Institute's founding and principal sponsor. UQ's Vice Chancellor, Professor John Hay described him as an outstanding public intellectual and an exciting successor to Professor Peter Botsman. Professor Spearritt has been contracted for five years as Executive Director of the Brisbane Institute.

Professor Spearritt said, 'I will continue the tradition of ensuring the Brisbane Institute is one of Australia's leading ideas forums and also take it in some new directions.

'The Brisbane Institute has developed an enviable reputation for open, non-partisan debate, with an impressive range of state, national and international speakers on the major issues of the day.

'I intend to build - value add if you like - on the Institute's strength as a forum for the discussion of the burning public issues by giving it a research capacity to explore those issues in a timely and useful way. This may assist us to have more light and less heat to some of our public debates, to the benefit of the art of government, the social engagement of business and the quality of life of the community generally.

'I am also interested in establishing projects with the museum sector, local and metropolitan government, and with private sector organisations.

'I am looking forward to exploring Brisbane. As a writer and researcher I have a particular fascination with Australia's cities. Coming from Queensland stock on both sides of my family, Brisbane is at once both familiar and unfamiliar, so represents a welcome opportunity'.

For more information contact Peter Spearritt (tel. 0419 524 541) or Susan Brown 07 (tel. 32202198 or 07 32541142)