Page 32 - Luce 2024

C ouncil N ews

Congratulations to Council applauds
Prof. Alexandra Walsham CBE Devni Wimalasena’s Awards

In December 2023, the Devni kindly agreed to share
University of Melbourne with us her JCH memories and
conferred honorary subsequent studies and outstanding
doctorates on six achievements.
eminent scholars for their
endeavours in a variety of For the past seven years, the
fields. University of Melbourne has been
more than just a place of learning
Amongst them was JCH – it’s been my second home. A
Fellow Prof. Alexandra space where I have not only grown
Walsham (1989). academically but also deepened my
Alexandra is a renowned commitment to social justice.
historian of the religious
and cultural history of As I reminisce about my first day at Janet Clarke Hall in 2017,
early modern Britain. I recall the whirlwind of emotions I felt during O-Week – a
mix of nervousness and excitement. Little did I know then the
Alexandra began profound impact JCH would have on me. It was within the halls
her trailblazing international career at the University of of JCH that I formed some of my fondest memories with some
Melbourne, where she graduated with both a Bachelor and of my favourite people. I will never forget googling ‘how to play
Master of Arts in History. She is now Professor of Modern soccer’ as a last-minute substitute en route to a 7am game at
History at the University of Cambridge, where she also served Princes Park against St Mary’s College!
as Chair of the Faculty of History between 2019 and 2022 –
the first woman to hold both positions. Following the completion of my Bachelor of Arts in
International Politics and Gender Studies in 2019, I commenced
Among her prize-winning books are Providence in Early a Juris Doctor, which I completed in December 2023.
Modern England (Oxford University Press, 1999), which won
the Longman-History Today Prize and the American Historical Throughout my studies, I was able to continue advocating
Association’s Morris D. Forkosch Prize. Her 2011 book The for social justice, focusing on issues such as gender equality,
Reformation of the Landscape (OUP) was the joint winner of access to justice, and anti-racism. My advocacy efforts centre
the Wolfson History Prize, winner of the American Historical on bridging societal divides, particularly those affecting
Association’s Leo Gershoy Award and winner of the Sixteenth marginalised women and youth. Advocacy activities have
Century Studies Conference Roland H. Bainton Prize. ranged from conducting workshops in schools and universities
to being appointed a Global Shaper by the World Economic
Alexandra has been a Fellow of the Royal Historical Forum, through to collaborating with CNN on the role of
Society since 1999 and was elected as Fellow of both the international media organisations in anti-racism.
British Academy (2009) and the Australian Academy of the
Humanities (2013). In 2017, Alexandra was appointed a CBE Since my time at JCH, I have continued to create content
(Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to fostering a community of 12,000 individuals passionate about
History in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. social justice issues. Through this work, I was honoured to
receive the 2023 Australian South Asian Stellar Woman Award
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Duncan in the Content Creator category.
Maskell, congratulated the six recipients:
Additionally, I recently received a 2024 Global Citizen Youth
‘These remarkable people have made enormous contributions Leaders Award, recognising work done to address various
to research and public life in their respective fields. Their bold UN Sustainable Development Goals. This Award led me to
thinking, innovation and creativity have helped reshape our participate in the Global Citizen NOW action summit held in
understanding of the world around us. We celebrate their Melbourne in March 2024, alongside the other 31 Youth Leader
achievements and we are proud to honour them this way.’ Award recipients from across the Asia-Pacific region. Attending
the summit provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with
The JCH community warmly congratulates Alexandra on and learn from younger change-makers and global leaders.
receiving the University’s highest honour and is proud to
celebrate her achievements in academia and leadership. The highlight of the summit for me was undoubtedly the Global
Citizen Nights event at the iconic Palais Theatre, where I had
Dr Eleanor Spencer-Regan the privilege of delivering a speech on colourism – a topic very
Principal close to my heart – to over 3000 people.

Looking back on my journey, I am grateful for the experiences
at JCH that instilled in me the belief in the power of collective
action and the importance of using our voices to drive positive
change.

32 LUCE Number 22 2023