Selection Panel 2016
The selection panel for the UC Book of the Year 2016 comprised of eminent academics, authors, scholars and critics charged with the challenge of choosing the most appropriate novel from a short-list of great books:
The University of Canberra appreciates the work of all the panel members:
Professor Nick Klomp, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), University of Canberra
Professor Nick Klomp is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at the University of Canberra, responsible for academic policy, teaching and learning quality and enhancement, and student support and equity. He has a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from Curtin University, First Class Honours from Murdoch University and a PhD in ecology from Glasgow University.
Prior to his appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Klomp was the Dean of the Faculty of Science at Charles Sturt University, leading one of the largest and most diverse science faculties in Australasia. Under his leadership the Faculty enjoyed enormous growth in its research and teaching programs, underpinned by multi-million dollar grants and many new collaborations with government, industry and education providers.
Professor Klomp has won the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence, was a weekly Science Correspondent for ABC radio for more than eleven years, and has thrice been nominated for the Eureka Prize for the Promotion of Science.
In addition to his extensive teaching career, Professor Klomp is recognised internationally for his research in applied ecology and environmental science, having authored two books and hundreds of publications, successfully supervised more than a dozen doctoral students, and attracted several large nationally-competitive grants.
Professor Jen Webb, Professor of Creative Practice, University of Canberra
Jen Webb studied in South Africa, New Zealand, Canada and Australia. She holds a PhD in cultural theory (art and society) and a DCA in writing (creativity and embodiment). She is Professor of Creative Practice in the Faculty of Arts and Design, where she leads research in creative writing. Her academic interests focus on the relationship between artistic practice and society, including how representations are made of human rights issues, conflict and crisis, and how individuals perceive themselves and their lived experience. She also investigates the links between creativity and knowledge, and particularly about how research training can best be conducted in art disciplines.
Jen's research has resulted in a variety of outputs, both creative and critical. Her books include titles on the works of Michel Foucault and Pierre Bourdieu, and on the topics of globalization, visual culture and representation, as well as the collection of poems, Proverbs from Sierra Leone (Five Islands Press, 2004) and the short story collection Ways of Getting By (Ginninderra Press, 2006). Her academic essays, articles and reviews, and her poems and short stories, have been widely published in Australia and overseas, and her artist books exhibited in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. Jen is currently writing a book titled Understanding the body (with Dr Jordan Williams; for Sage Publications, London), and a volume on creative research (for P&H Publications, Cambridge).
Ms Helen Taylor, University Librarian, University of Canberra
Helen Taylor is the University Librarian at the University of Canberra and has worked in the Library at University of Canberra since June 2010. Prior to her appointment at University of Canberra Helen was the Collection Services Librarian at UNSW @ ADFA and the Bibliographic Services Coordinator at Australian National University, providing and promoting Library services and collections at both for over 15 years. Helen holds a Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Management from University of Canberra and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Education from Canberra College of Advanced Education.
Helen is committed to providing the best Library service to staff and students at the University of Canberra and learning about and leading the integration of new technologies into the future of the library.
Ms Mallory Bugeja, Final year student, University of Canberra
Mallory Bugeja is a writing student at the University of Canberra. She recently completed her undergraduate degree and graduated in October this year. Mallory is an avid reader, writer and lover of anything caffeinated. Like most of the University's students, she grew up when Harry Potter was in it's prime, making her a proud honorary Gryffindor - or Hufflepuff at best…
She is planning on undertaking more study, starting with Honours in 2016; playing to her strengths in Young Adult Fiction.
Ms Marion Halligan, award-winning Australian novelist
Marion Halligan was born in Newcastle NSW. She grew up by the sea and has lived most of her adult life in Canberra, with periods in Paris. She writes novels, short stories, and essays. She regularly reviews books. Currently she is writing small memoir pieces. She has received an AM for her services to literature. She has been short-listed for most of the prizes on offer, and has won some. Valley of Grace, Allen & Unwin (2009) won the ACT Book of the Year and was long-listed for the IMPAC Prize. Her latest is a collection of short stories, Shooting the Fox (2011).
Ms Halligan has served as chairperson of the Literature Board of the Australia Council and the Australian National Word Festival. She was made a Member in the Order of Australia (AM), General Division, in 2006 for services to literature and for her work in promoting Australian literature.
