Two Anglicans have been appointed to lead Australia’s newest and first ever ‘Specialised University’ – MCD University of Divinity. Following a 15-month period of assessment, Melbourne College of Divinity’s application for Specialised University status was approved last month. It is the first university to be established in Victoria in over two decades.
Anglican academic and historian Dr Peter Sherlock has been appointed the inaugural Vice-Chancellor and another prominent Melbourne Anglican, Dr Graeme Blackman OAM, has been appointed Chancellor.
Dr Sherlock is currently Dean of the United Faculty of Theology at Parkville, one of the Recognised Teaching Institutions of the University. He takes up the position in April this year, following the retirement of Professor Paul Beirne after 12 years at Melbourne College of Divinity, 11 years as its Dean and CEO.
Dr Sherlock, a graduate of the University of Melbourne, in 2000 completed doctoral studies at the University of Oxford where he held a Commonwealth Scholarship. He was appointed Dean of the United Faculty of Theology in 2008, and was previously a Lecturer and an ARC Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne. He is author of Monuments and Memory in Early Modern England and several articles on the Reformation, British missions, and the role of women in the church. Dr Sherlock’s current research project is a history of the monuments of Westminster Abbey.
Dr Sherlock said “I am deeply honoured to assume this leadership role at MCD University of Divinity as the institution enters its second century of offering academically rigorous awards in Divinity and associated disciplines in an ecumenical environment. As the nation’s sixth oldest self-accrediting Higher Education institution, MCD University of Divinity is well prepared to take its place in the Australian university sector.”
Announcing the appointment, Chancellor Blackman said “The Council is very pleased to appoint Dr Sherlock to the role of Vice-Chancellor. His strong research, teaching and administrative background will ensure that MCD University of Divinity is well placed to make a significant contribution to research and teaching in the specialist areas of theology, religious studies and philosophy.
“Under its new leadership, MCD University of Divinity aims to continue to expand the outstanding work of the century old Melbourne College of Divinity, conducted in an academically rigorous, ecumenical environment of free and open intellectual inquiry.”