Over the next two years, our School is committed to advancing excellence in education and research, alongside a wide-reaching set of interventions in sustainability, equity, diversity and inclusion, and cultural competence.

This is also a pivotal moment for our School to advance First Nations knowledge of how land, design and building are intertwined and embodied in ways of being. We are introducing initiatives to indigenise our curriculum, establish a hub for First Nations research, and support broader efforts across campus to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, worldviews, and practices into the fabric of our University.

We will take bold steps to enhance our capacity for impactful research, including understanding how we can apply innovative social value models to architecture, urban policy and strategic design, and a new initiative on understanding how cities can flourish by valuing green space and biodiversity. Our newly appointed Horizon Fellows will build on our research strengths in indoor environmental quality, using evidence-based analysis to mitigate the effects of heat, air pollution, and mould on buildings and urban environments. Significant university and philanthropic investments into architectural history and practice, as well as our internationally recognized housing and research, will enable us to address key intellectual challenges across our disciplines through comprehensive research.

The great strength of our School lies in our people. The passionate contributions of our academic and professional staff have shaped our vision for the next two years. We have ambitious goals, and translating them into actions will be both challenging and exciting. I am confident that our team has the drive and expertise to achieve them.