University appoints new Director of Sydney Southeast Asia Centre

Professor Greg Fox has been appointed Director of the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre (SSEAC).

“I’m thrilled that Greg has accepted the Director role, and I anticipate that this will be a very popular appointment with everyone who has worked with him in the region,” said Professor Kathy Belov, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Global and Research Engagement, who welcomed Professor Fox as the new Director.

Professor Fox is a respiratory physician and clinical researcher committed to using research to improve health care among disadvantaged populations. He has led research in Vietnam for more than 15 years, including a number of NHMRC-supported trials, working closely with local partners to combat tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance and chronic lung disease.

Over the past year, he has served as SSEAC’s Interim Director. During that time, he led the development of the SSEAC Strategy 2024–2029 and inaugural Grand Challenges Program, and hosted the first Sydney Southeast Asia Research Innovation Symposium that included a keynote address by Mr Nicholas Moore AO, Special Envoy for Southeast Asia.

He has also been meeting with University Faculties, Schools and other MDIs as well as partners in the region on future collaborations. In the past 12 months he has also awarded 17 Ignition and Incubator grants in support of SSEAC members’ research.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the SSEAC leadership team and building on the strong foundations of SSEAC’s transformative multidisciplinary research on Southeast Asia,” Professor Fox said.

“The next decade will be a pivotal one for Southeast Asia. This vibrant and dynamic region of over 675 million people has a trajectory of extraordinary growth and transformation. At the heart of this growing prosperity is innovation and collaboration, built upon a foundation of trusted relationships with regional partners.”

As Australia’s leading research hub for Southeast Asia, SSEAC plays a critical role in fostering new research and knowledge partnerships that can transform the lives of individuals and communities.

“Southeast Asia will be a key focus for the University in the years ahead,” Professor Belov said. “Greg has already done an excellent job of working with the SSEAC team to deliver a strategic plan for the region and raising research funding to support our efforts to tackle grand challenges in the region.

“Importantly, he is also committed to working with the Sydney Vietnam Institute and establishing a partnership that will enable us to achieve significant impact in the region.”

In accepting the position Professor Fox said, “I’m excited to lead SSEAC through this next phase, and work with University researchers across all disciplines engaged in Southeast Asia to generate new knowledge and partnerships that deliver tangible benefits to the region and beyond.”

About Professor Greg Fox

Greg Fox is a Professor of Respiratory Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine and Health. He leads the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Tuberculosis Elimination and is a Research Leader at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research. He is also a member of the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, the Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute and the US CDC Tuberculosis Trials Consortium. His research focuses upon the generation of new evidence to control tuberculosis, the most deadly infectious disease globally.