Two researchers from the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences have been honoured as Fellows of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. The newly elected Fellows are Professor Mark Ledbury and Associate Professor Mark Allon.

Election to the Academy is one of the highest humanities accolades in Australia, recognising scholars whose work significantly deepens our understanding of history, culture and society.

“The Academy’s Fellows are at the forefront of understanding global cultural, social and historical foundations — knowledge that is essential to shaping a more inclusive, resilient and creative nation. Their work enhances Australia’s ability to navigate global uncertainty, technological disruption and rapid social change,” said Academy President Professor Stephen Garton.

Professor Lisa Adkins, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, congratulated the newly elected Fellows: “We are delighted to see two of our leading experts, Mark Ledbury and Mark Allon recognised by the Australian Academy of the Humanities. Their outstanding scholarship, dedication to research excellence and commitment to public engagement exemplify the very best of the University’s Faculty of Arts. This is a richly deserved honour that highlights the impact humanities research can have both in Australia and internationally.” 

Professor Mark Ledbury is Professor of Art History and Visual Culture at the University of Sydney, and Director of the Power Institute.

His research focuses on eighteenth- and nineteenth-century European art, especially French art, with a particular interest in the interplay between theatre and visual art, genre definitions, and Enlightenment aesthetics.

As Director, he leads programs including conferences, public lectures, workshops, and research publications that explore how art functions within global cultures and why it matters. He is strongly committed to public engagement, partnering with institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia to foster dialogue between researchers, artists and the public.

Professor Ledbury said: “I am thrilled and humbled to join the Academy and become part of the vital collective work of keeping humanities research front and centre in Australian cultural and social life. The Power Institute is founded on the belief that art is a vital human impulse and central to our understanding of society and culture. As a Fellow, and in my role at Power, I hope to continue to promote the critical importance of the humanities to human social and individual flourishing, and to foster conversations between artists, researchers and the wider community about why art and visual understanding matter — especially in an age of rapid social and technological change.”

Associate Professor Mark Allon (South Asian Buddhist Studies) is internationally respected for his scholarship in early Buddhist literature and ancient languages. He specialises in the composition, transmission and use of Buddhist texts, working in ancient Indic languages such as Pali, Gandhari and Sanskrit.

His research includes major projects on recently discovered Gandhari Buddhist manuscripts from Afghanistan and Pakistan, helping to unlock forgotten textual traditions and shed light on how early Buddhist communities used and preserved their literature.

He is also involved in conserving and studying the Kuthodaw Pagoda marble stelae recension of the Pali Canon in Burma (Myanmar), a monumental endeavour linking textual scholarship with heritage preservation.

Associate Professor Mark Allon said: “I am deeply honoured to be elected a Fellow of the Academy. This recognition highlights not just my own work, but the importance of preserving and understanding ancient Buddhist texts. These manuscripts and languages carry stories and wisdom across centuries — and by studying them, we connect with the rich intellectual traditions of the past and their relevance for today.”

The election of Professor Mark Ledbury and Associate Professor Mark Allon as Fellows of the Australian Academy of the Humanities celebrates both deep scholarly excellence and the University of Sydney’s commitment to advancing world-leading humanities research.

In addition, Professor Yixu Lu (German Literature and History) has been elected to the Council of Australian Academy of Humanities at this year’s annual general meeting of Fellows. 

The Academy is governed by a Council of leaders in the humanities, elected from among the Fellows. The Council provides strategic direction, policy guidance, and management oversight.

Professor Avril Alba, Head of the School of Languages and Cultures, said: “Yixu’s strong support of languages and culture studies in this influential body will no doubt generate great benefit for our School, the Faculty and for the study of languages and culture in Australia more generally.”