Message from the Head of School

A message from Professor Howard Bondell

A portrait of Howard Bondell
Professor Howard Bondell,
Head of School

As we enter 2025, as Head of School, I have the privilege to write this message to our alumni and friends, and to reflect on our school’s many highlights and achievements from 2024. I am once again extremely proud of the efforts of our staff and students to maintain excellence in all areas, and in the support shown for one another.

Due to the commitment of our academic and professional staff to our world-class education and research, our school has continued to thrive, and I am pleased to say is again poised for further growth. A number of new colleagues have commenced this past year, while further hiring is underway to expand on our diversity and expertise, underpinning the key role played by mathematics and statistics in shaping the future.

Our school strives to create opportunities for our staff and students, particularly at critical times early in their career. This support has come via dedicated commitments from the school to enable systematic support, as well as from the generosity of our alumni, for which we are extremely grateful.

Recognising our students, the school has been able to maintain and increase scholarships and awards thanks to many who support and enable these special programs. It is an annual highlight to host our Student Awards Ceremony, and celebrate with the students, their families, friends, and colleagues.

Our school continues to expand on our recognised research excellence, exemplified through successful academic promotions of our colleagues and competitive awards, both nationally and internationally. Many of these will be further highlighted through this newsletter. Of particular note, we congratulate Kate Smith-Miles, who was honoured as an Officer of the Order of Australia as part of the 2024 Kings Birthday Honours.

Finally, I would like to reiterate my gratitude to our staff, students, and alumni for their continued efforts and support in continuing to make our school a dynamic and outstanding environment to work, study, and socialise.

I wish you all a happy and successful 2025, and if you have not recently been to campus, I would invite you to visit and experience our thriving community.

Professor Howard Bondell
Head of the School of Mathematics and Statistics