The Forrest Research Foundation (FRF) is excited to launch its pioneering Thinkers in Residence program that creates an intellectual hub connecting global thought leaders across all five Western Australian Universities.
The initiative is designed to spark intellectual exchange and promote dialogue with government, industry, academia, and community organisations through meaningful public discussions, lectures, and roundtables.
Unlike traditional academic residencies confined to single institutions, the FRF’s Thinkers in Residence program enables thought leaders to work across WA’s entire university network, fostering collaboration between The University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, and the University of Notre Dame.
Professor James Arvanitakis, the Director of the Foundation, said encouraging cross-institutional partnerships through the program would elevate WA’s academic standing globally and drive innovation that benefits the entire community.
“This program, a first for WA, sets a new benchmark for intellectual and academic collaboration,” Professor Arvanitakis said.
“Bringing together thought leaders from around the globe to work across our universities fosters an environment that encourages innovation and transformative thinking. Our model of collaborating across universities is something that makes us globally unique – and this program will continue to strengthen our ‘Team WA’ approach.”
The inaugural Thinkers in Residence, Sophie Howe and Professor Merve Emre, will each spend a month engaging with the Forrest Scholars, Fellows, and the wider WA community.
Ms Howe is best known for her role as the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, while Professor Emre is a celebrated literary critic and academic.
“Thought leadership and collaboration are two of the most powerful forms of human resource. It allows us to tap into latent potential and unearth concepts that can have a transformative impact on our communities and our culture and society,” said Nicola Forrest AO.
“I am delighted to support our Thinkers in Residence program and look forward to welcoming Ms Howe and Professor Emre to Western Australia to inspire – and be inspired by – our Scholars and Fellows. They are certain to set the bar high for future Thinkers we host.”
“Big ideas, critical thinking and robust debate are essential if we are going to tackle the existential problems facing our world,” said Dr Andrew Forrest AO.
“Both Merve Emre and Sophie Howe – each in their own distinctive ways – embody the power of bold, innovative thought and we are thrilled to have them in Perth as Thinkers in Residence.
“Their acute thinking, analysis and ability to communicate their insights will add a powerful new dimension to the world-class program at the Forrest Research Foundation which will benefit the entire WA community.”
About Ms Sophie Howe
Ms Howe’s residence will focus on how the Western Australian government can draft a ‘future generations act,’ focusing on how we can achieve a transformational shift towards long term policy through a public lecture, policy roundtables, and engagements with policy makers.
About Professor Merve Emre
Professor Emre will collaborate with Forrest Fellow Dr Joseph Steinberg to co-convene a literary symposium, host workshops in WA schools, and offer a masterclass on the future of literary criticism, culminating in a public lecture on the value of the literary humanities, providing a unique opportunity for the local community to engage with her work.
Image: Sophie Howe (left) and Professor Merve Emre (right)
