Ian Anderson

Professor Ian Anderson is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at the University of Tasmania.  He is a Palawa man from Tasmania’s northwest coast with traditional ties to the country known as Tebrakunna.  His career has primarily focused on Indigenous health and education.  In 1989, Professor Anderson graduated as a clinical doctor before he attained his PhD in Sociology and Anthropology in 2006. 

Professor Anderson was honoured in 2017 with the Officer of the Order of Australia award for his distinguished service in promoting health equality, aged care, and education within the Indigenous community. Furthermore, in 2018, he was appointed as a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and a Fellow of the Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. 

Professor Anderson’s senior appointments include Director of Research Lowitja Institute and Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health; Chair, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Equality Council; Council Member, the National Health and Medical Research Council and Co-Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Council. 

In addition to these roles, Professor Anderson held the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student and University Experience) at the Australian National University from 2020 to 2022, as well as the roles of Deputy Secretary for the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the National Indigenous Australians Agency at a Federal Government level.