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The University of Western Australia’s Professor Don Markwell has been appointed to head the world’s preeminent scholarship body, the Rhodes scholarships at the University of Oxford.

Professor Markwell is the first Rhodes Scholar to be appointed as Warden of Rhodes House, Oxford, since the creation of the scholarships under the will of Cecil Rhodes in 1902. In this role, he will be responsible for running the Rhodes Scholarships around the world.

Currently the University of Western Australia’s Deputy-Vice Chancellor (Education), Professor Markwell will take up the position after the retirement of Sir Colin Lucas in June 2009.

The Rhodes Scholarships are awarded to students of outstanding intellect and character who are committed to promoting the public good. Each year, they take more than 80 students from 14 countries for graduate study at the University of Oxford.

Rhodes Scholar for Queensland in 1981, and a first class honours graduate of the University of Queensland, Professor Markwell completed a doctorate in International Relations at Oxford.  A Procter Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University from 1984-85, he became a Lecturer in Politics at the University of Oxford, and Fellow and Tutor in Politics at Merton College, Oxford (1986-1997). From 1997 to 2007, he was Warden of Trinity College, University of Melbourne.

Professor Markwell has published widely on international relations, constitutional politics and history, and education. His most recent publications include John Maynard Keynes and International Relations: Economic Paths to War and Peace (Oxford University Press, 2006) and A large and liberal education: higher education for the 21st century (Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2007).

Professor Markwell took up his present position at UWA in January 2007.

Amongst other initiatives to enhance the student learning experience at UWA, he has led a major consultative review of curriculum and course structures. This review has attracted international attention.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said that the Future Framework for UWA degrees which had been recommended by the review would now be implemented under the leadership of Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bill Louden.

“UWA has a proud history of being awarded Rhodes scholarships over almost a century and has great respect for the fine values of the Rhodes Scholarships and the exceptional opportunities those scholarships offer to students,” Professor Robson said.

“Although sorry to see Don Markwell leave our University, I am proud that a UWA colleague has been appointed to this prestigious and significant position of leadership in international education.”

Professor Markwell said that he had greatly valued his time at The University of Western Australia, and was sad to be leaving.

“I am deeply honoured to have been chosen to succeed Sir Colin Lucas, who has served as Warden of Rhodes House with outstanding distinction.

“I am excited to work with Rhodes Scholars and other supporters of the Rhodes Scholarships around the world to give best effect in our time to the great ideal on which the Rhodes Scholarships are founded, as well as to help Rhodes Scholars gain exceptional graduate education in Oxford.”

The Chairman of the Rhodes Trustees, Lord Waldegrave of North Hill, said: “We are delighted that Don Markwell has accepted the appointment. His career reflects deep commitment to the values of the Rhodes Scholarships, including commitment to academic excellence, liberal education and the welfare of students, as well as extensive experience in educational leadership and management.

“We are, of course, particularly happy to have for the first time a Rhodes Scholar as Warden of Rhodes House.”

For further biographical details, see: https://www.uwa.edu.au/university/governance/executive/education

For further details of the Rhodes Scholarships, see:
https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/index.htm

For further details of The University of Western Australia, see:
https://www.uwa.edu.au

For further details of the UWA “Future Framework” for degree courses, see:
https://www.coursestructuresreview.uwa.edu.au/

Media references

Professor Don Markwell ( [email protected] )    (+61 8)  6488 1717
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)    (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716