Respectful Disagreement is part of a larger program titled ‘The Brave Spaces Project’ coordinated by Professor James Arvanitakis.
He is an award-winning educator, cultural researcher, and media commentator.
His achievements are both nationally and internationally recognized, receiving the Prime Minister’s University Teacher of the Year Award (2012), being named an Eminent Researcher by the Australia India Education Council (2015), the Excellence in Teaching Award (Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue (2016), and receiving the Australian Financial Review’s 2017 Excellence in Student Experience Award.
James has 20-years of experience in the higher education sector, having also had successful careers in finance and the not-for-profit sector. As an educator, researcher, and public commentator, James was the driving force behind several innovative programs at Western Sydney University where he worked for fifteen years including establishing The Academy, the Graduate Research School, and was appointed the Pro Vice Chancellor (Research and Graduate Studies). He then established the Pro Vice Chancellor (Engagement and Advancement) portfolio that included the school’s engagement program.
James is a Fulbright alumnus, having spent 12 months at the University of Wyoming as the Milward L Simpson Fulbright Fellow.
In 2021, he was appointed the inaugural Patron of Diversity Arts Australia in recognition of his commitment to promoting a cultural sector that reflects the rich diversity of Australia. He is also an academic fellow of the Australia India Institute and on the Advisory Board of the Herbert and Valmae Freilich Project for the Study of Bigotry.
Most recently, he was the Executive Director of the Australian American Fulbright Commission – one of the world’s most prestigious international education and cultural exchange programs.
He has over 100 publications and is a regular media commentator often seen on the ABC.
His research areas include organizational culture, trust, higher education, the culture of citizenship, and the future of democracies.
A collection of his writing can be found at www.jamesarvanitakis.net.
James can be contacted at j.arvanitakis (at) westernsydney.edu.au