Chair for Public and Constitutional law expert

Wednesday, 11 May 2005

Dr John Williams, one of Australia's foremost scholars and public commentators on Constitutional Law and Australian Legal History, and constitutional issues, has been appointed to a Chair in Law at the University of Adelaide's Law School.

He is currently a Reader at ANU's Law School and will assume his new role in January 2006. Before moving to Canberra, Dr Williams was Associate Dean, Research at the University of Adelaide's Law School.

"Dr Williams' appointment represents a return to the University of an outstanding scholar and teacher, who will strengthen the Law School's reputation in the area of public and constitutional law," said Professor Fred McDougall, Executive Dean, Faculty of the Professions, University of Adelaide.

"His willingness to contribute to public debates and discussions on issues of importance to political and constitutional processes in Australia, along with his energy and enthusiasm, will bring a substantial contribution to the University," Professor McDougall said.

Dr Williams said today he is looking forward to returning to Adelaide.

""The University of Adelaide and the Law School have a fine tradition for scholarship and teaching. In my area of constitutional law and Australian legal history there exists a legacy, which I am proud to be associated with and keen to build upon," Dr Williams said.

"One of the attractions of my return to South Australia is that it is possible to have a base from which to enter into local, national and international public policy debates and to have an impact," he said.

He is the author/joint author of a number of books including Peace, Order and Good Government: Constitutional and Parliamentary Reform (with Clem Macintyre editor) (2003) Wakefield Press; Makers of Miracles: The Cast of the Federal Story (with David Headon editors), (2000) Melbourne University Press.

His latest book The Australian Constitution: A Documentary History, was published in April this year.

Chair explained:

The term "Chair" is often used in universities as an alternative to the official title of a professorial position or the incumbent of such a position, e.g. Official title: Professor of Creative Writing: The incumbent might also be described as the Chair of Creative Writing.

It may be used in addition to the name of a position, where positions have been "endowed", e.g. Official title: Elder Professor of Music: The incumbent might also be described as the Elder Chair of Music. The term chair is used in addition to the name "Elder" as this is an example of an "endowed" chair, i.e. established with a capital endowment to ensure its perpetuation and named after the donor (or the person in whose memory, etc., the capital was raised).

 

Contact Details

Professor John Williams
Email: john.williams@adelaide.edu.au
Dean of Law School
Director, South Australian Law Reform Institute
The University of Adelaide


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