Historian and international education expert Dr Anna Kent (PhD ’21) is the inaugural recipient of the Deakin University Library Margaret Cameron Residency.
The late Professor Margaret Cameron AM, Deakin University’s first Chief Librarian, believed books should not be left on shelves, preferring to see them in the hands of users. As the architect of Deakin’s pioneering Open Campus program, she made sure off-campus students received the same level of access to the Library’s books as those studying on-campus, initiating the transportation of books to off-campus students within 48 hours of receiving a loan request.
After a long career at Deakin, where she was as well known for her love of birds as her love of books and equal access to learning, Margaret retired in 1996. She was honoured with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) award for her contribution to library services, education and ornithology.
‘Margaret had a long, diverse and distinguished career in libraries and is widely regarded as one of the true titans of our profession,’ says Deakin’s current University Librarian, Hero Macdonald.
‘Margaret had a long, diverse and distinguished career in libraries and is widely regarded as one of the true titans of our profession,’ says Deakin’s current University Librarian, Hero Macdonald.
‘As the founding Chief Librarian at Deakin, Margaret played a pivotal role in establishing Deakin Library as the cornerstone of the University. She was known as a formidable leader and a passionate and effective advocate for libraries and their communities.’
Margaret left a generous bequest to Deakin in her Will, allowing the University to create the Margaret Cameron Residency in her honour to support projects that uncover and share the rich histories held within Deakin’s Archives and the Library’s Special Collections. Between them, the collections document over a century of history, research and collecting at Deakin, along with predecessor institutions and the regions in which the University has operated.
Now, the inaugural recipient of the Margaret Cameron Residency, historian and international education expert Dr Anna Kent (PhD ’21), is looking forward to honouring Margaret’s legacy through her work. As an early career researcher, the Residency offers Dr Kent an opportunity to kick start a project she’s been planning for some years but didn’t have the time or funds to pursue – until now.
During her residency, Anna will explore the history of international education at Deakin and its predecessor institutions. Drawing on archival documents, letters and records held in the Archives and the Library’s collections, she plans to showcase Deakin’s role in shaping Australia’s international education landscape. The research comes at a pivotal moment for Deakin, as the University expands its global presence with new campuses in India and Indonesia.
‘I hope my work during the residency helps the Deakin community understand our own international education history and how it fits into the picture of international education in Australia,’ Anna says.
‘My research is focused on international education, particularly the intersection of education, development and foreign policy that meet in the experiences of international students,’ Anna says.
‘I hope my work during the residency helps the Deakin community understand our own international education history and how it fits into the picture of international education in Australia.
‘International education, and international students, have shaped Australian communities for more than 70 years – and I think it is really important that Australian communities and institutions have a strong understanding of the roles they play in that.’
Anna, who completed her PhD at Deakin in 2021, has worked in scholarships management, higher education policy and research in her roles as Executive Coordinator of Deakin’s Centre for Contemporary Histories and Associate Teaching Fellow in Deakin’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences. She is a current Fellow at the National Library of Australia, a Senior Fellow of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) and the author of Mandates and Missteps, a history of Australian government scholarships to the Pacific.
Her residency will culminate in the creation of a finding aid to support future researchers and may include a public seminar in partnership with the Centre for Contemporary Histories and a potential exhibition led by Deakin Library’s Exhibitions and Public Programs.
‘International education, and international students, have shaped Australian communities for more than 70 years – and I think it is really important that Australian communities and institutions have a strong understanding of the roles they play in that.’
Gift in Will donations made through Deakin, including the Margaret Cameron Residency, leave lasting legacies and make a positive impact on causes donors have been passionate about during their lifetime. One hundred per cent of donations are invested in the specific fund or area chosen, ensuring gifts go further to change more lives and communities.
Find out more about the Margaret Cameron Residency and the positive impact of gifts in Wills.
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