The Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success acknowledges Indigenous peoples across Australia as the Traditional Owners of the lands on which the nation’s campuses are situated. With a history spanning more than 60,000 years as the original educators, Indigenous peoples hold a unique place in our nation. We recognise the importance of their knowledge and culture, and reflect the principles of participation, equity, and cultural respect in our work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future, and consider it an honour to learn from our Indigenous colleagues, partners, and friends.

You are reading: ACSES welcomes its newest Advisory Board member Professor Paul Harpur OAM

We are pleased to welcome Professor Paul Harpur OAM as the newest member of the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success’s Advisory Board.

Professor Harpur (pictured with his guide dog Sean) is a distinguished scholar, currently serving as a Professor with the TC Beirne School of Law at the University of Queensland. His work is dedicated to advancing disability rights and inclusion, and he holds a prestigious four-year ARC Future Fellowship focused on supporting universities to become disability champions of change.

In addition to his role at the University of Queensland, Professor Harpur is an Associate with the Harvard Law School Project on Disability. He also chairs Universities Enable, a sector-wide disability steering group, and serves as an ambassador for the Australian Human Rights Commission Include Ability Network.

Beyond his impressive contributions to academia and disability advocacy, Professor Harpur has a remarkable personal history. He is a dual Paralympian, demonstrating his commitment to excellence and perseverance. In 2022, he was honoured as the Blind Australian of the Year, recognising his outstanding achievements and contributions to the community.

Most recently, in the 2024 Australia Day Honours, Professor Harpur was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia “for service to people with disability”. This prestigious recognition highlights his dedication to creating a more inclusive and accessible society for all.

We are honoured to have Professor Paul Harpur OAM join our Advisory Board, bringing his wealth of expertise, passion for disability rights, and commitment to positive change. His insights and leadership will undoubtedly be invaluable as we continue our mission to promote inclusivity and equality in our community. Welcome, Professor Harpur.