Charles Darwin University has appointed a new Head of the School of Creative Arts and Humanities.
Bill Wade, a technological innovator with a broad range of experience in academic leadership, creative industries, distance education, Indigenous programs and multimedia product development, will take up his appointment as Associate Professor and Head of School in January 2009.
Warmly received within the CDU community since arriving from Canada in 2007, Bill has won the respect of his students and peers which culminated in him being named the CDU 2008 Champion of the Year for Teaching and Learning Leadership for the Faculty of Law Business and Arts.
CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Garnett said Bill Wade’s appointment was further evidence of the University’s commitment to providing leading edge education to its students.
“His strong leadership, coupled with his extensive experience and networks in the higher education and VET sectors, will bring a new perspective to the School,” Professor Garnett said.
“We see this as being the forerunner of some bold new initiatives in the areas of multimedia and creative industries and a further commitment to working with Indigenous Australians in these areas.”
Bill brings to the position more than 20 years’ experience in private industry and the academic environment in Australia and Canada, and has a list of professional distinctions of the highest order.
He has held various positions including lecturer and theme leader of CDU’s New Media and Communication Design program, Chair of Teacher Education Programs at Aurora College in the USA, and Director of multimedia and educational consulting company, DOME Productions & Services Ltd. His research work centres on e-learning, distance education and the role of creative multimedia.
He has a strong background working in a remote and multi-campus environment in his native Canada, which included working with indigenous communities.
In 2000, Mr Wade gained international recognition for his tireless work in promoting the application of computers and new media technologies in the classroom when he was named the Educator of the Year at the 2000 Canadian New Media Awards. This award recognised Bill’s outstanding contributions to teaching and research in the field of multimedia.