The University of Sydney today announced Professor Reuben Bolt’s appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services), commencing 28 July 2025.
Professor Bolt returns to the University of Sydney, his alma mater, after leading Charles Darwin University, as Deputy Vice-Chancellor First Nations Leadership since 2020. He is a descendant of Yuin/Wandandian and Monaro/Ngarigo peoples and brings more than 25 years of experience in Indigenous education, research and leadership.
Professor Bolt began his academic career at the University of Sydney, pursuing a diploma before enrolling in a Bachelor of Health Science. During his honours degree he carried out research that exposed institutional racism in the judicial system. Returning to research after completing a Master of Media Arts and Production, Professor Bolt became the first Aboriginal person to earn a PhD from the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine and Health (then the Faculty of Health Sciences).
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Mark Scott welcomed Professor Bolt to the University.
“We’re delighted to have Professor Bolt stepping into this important leadership role and know our community will benefit from his insight, energy and vision,” he said.
“His dedication to advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in higher education and his inclusive, community-focused leadership mean he is ideally placed to lead our work creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and valuing Indigenous culture.”
We’re delighted to have Professor Bolt stepping into this important leadership role and know our community will benefit from his insight, energy and vision
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott
At Sydney, Professor Bolt will build on the strong foundations laid by his predecessor, Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver, leading the University’s efforts to elevate First Nations knowledge systems and deepen community engagement.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Professor Jackson Pulver on several national projects and would like to acknowledge the very significant work that she’s done at the University.
“I’m excited by the opportunity to build upon the existing work being done by the University and expanding higher education opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.”
Professor Bolt knows firsthand how education can transform lives. His grandmother was only permitted to attend school until Year 6, his mother until Year 8. As a result, he was determined to complete Year 12.
“My grandmother was part of a generation of Aboriginal people who weren’t allowed to continue their education and seek further opportunities – a result of colonial narratives that set the parameters and limitations on what Aboriginal people could achieve and do.
“My grandmother had around 45 grandchildren, and I was around the middle. As a child, my biggest goal was to finish high school, because none of the other older boys in the family had. University wasn’t even on my radar.”
That changed when family including his father, uncles, aunties and cousins began studying a diploma at the University of Sydney’s then Faculty of Health Sciences. This opened the door to higher education and sparked a lifelong academic journey focused on identity and Aboriginality.
“As a teenager, I struggled with the narrative I heard about Aboriginal people – it didn’t reflect my lived experience. I ate McDonald’s, wore Western clothes, and that seemed to contradict what I was told about Aboriginality, and what it was supposed to look like from a Western perspective.
“Through my research and experiences, I have come to know that your identity comes from your story, and your story is related to your community and connection to Country, and the culture and discourses you’ve been socialised in.”
In 2024 Professor Bolt was appointed to the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), where he advises the Prime Minister and cabinet on science and technology – becoming the first member of Aboriginal heritage to hold this position.
As a child, my biggest goal was to finish high school ... University wasn’t even on my radar.
Professor Reuben Bolt
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services)
Media contact
Manual Name :
Manual Description :
Manual Address :
Manual Addition Info Title :
Manual Addition Info Content :
Manual Type : contact
_self
Auto Type : contact
Auto Addition Title :
Auto Addition Content :
Auto Name : true
Auto Position : true
Auto Phone Number : false
Auto Mobile Number : true
Auto Email Address : true
Auto Address : false
UUID : J-RAYNER