Professor Tristan Kennedy commenced as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) at Monash University in December 2022.

An internationally-recognised researcher and educator with more than 10 years’ experience in the higher education sector, Professor Kennedy brings strong business acumen, research collaboration and aspirational leadership, drawing on his own research to contribute to improved outcomes for Indigenous staff, students and the wider community. He is driven by a genuine passion for making significant and positive contributions to building the presence of Indigenous research and fostering the success of Indigenous advancement in higher education in Australia and abroad.

Before joining Monash, Professor Kennedy was Associate Professor and Director of Research Training at the Department of Indigenous Studies at Macquarie University. In this position, he achieved significant growth and innovation in the department, with particular success in developing programs that support students and optimise student numbers, particularly in higher degree research. He is a member of the newly-established Centre for Global Indigenous Futures, where he continues to build stronger networks for future Indigenous scholars nationally and internationally.

Professor Kennedy has contemporary research interests, attracting growing international interest and collaboration in areas such as identities in online social spaces, Indigenous studies and education, and digital communication technologies.

His academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (2007), Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (2011) and Doctor of Philosophy (2019) from Flinders University, and a Graduate Diploma of Education (2008) from University of Adelaide.

Professor Kennedy is a Noongar Aboriginal man, and a member of the Kaurna community in South Australia. He and his family are actively involved in the promotion of sustainable building practices and have recently completed construction of one of South Australia’s first Earthship-inspired off-grid homes.