Curtin University’s Honorary Awards are prestigious honours, intended to recognise substantial achievements of or contributions made by individuals.
Honorary Award criteria
There are eight (8) Honorary Doctorates, each with a different focus but all of equal status.
Honorary Doctor of Arts
- Distinguished contribution to an academic discipline or field of endeavour, relating to the creative arts; and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
Honorary Doctor of Commerce
- Distinguished contribution to an academic discipline or field of endeavour, relating to business; and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
Honorary Doctor of Engineering
- Distinguished contribution to an academic discipline or field of endeavour, relating to engineering; and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
Honorary Doctor of Laws
- Distinguished contribution to an academic discipline or field of endeavour, relating to law; and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
Honorary Doctor of Letters
- Distinguished contribution to an academic discipline or field of endeavour relating to the humanities or social sciences; and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
Honorary Doctor of Medicine
- Distinguished contribution to an academic discipline or field of endeavour, relating to medicine; and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
Honorary Doctor of Science
- Distinguished contribution to an academic discipline or field of endeavour, relating to the physical sciences or health sciences; and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
Honorary Doctor of the University
- Exceptional service to the University, usually over a sustained period of time; and
- Exceptional record of service to professional and/or public life.
Honorary Award recipients
Accordion
The Honourable Julia Gillard AC
Honorary Doctor of Letters
For her outstanding contribution to public life, particularly to education.
Mr Alan Dodge
Honorary Doctor of Letters
In recognition of his significant contribution to the arts in Western Australia, Australia and internationally, his mentorship,and his tireless advocacy and promotion of arts education and accessibility.
Ms Kate Mulvany
Honorary Doctor of Letters
Ms Kate Mulvany is a prolific, award-winning playwright, screenwriter, librettist and actor whose concerns have extended to social activism and defending the role of arts in society.
Professor Sir Ian Diamond
Honorary Doctor of Letters
In recognition for his outstanding service in social science and higher education and advanced international research collaboration in Western Australia.
Emeritus Professor Graeme Turner
Honorary Doctor of Letters
In recognition of his contribution to the fields of media studies and cultural studies internationally.
The Honourable Michael Kirby
Honorary Doctor of Letters
In recognition of his outstanding record of judicial service and his promotion of human rights in Australia and overseas.
Dr Vanessa Guthrie
Honorary Doctor of Science
In recognition of her remarkable contribution to strengthening Australia’s resources industries in the areas of sustainability, technical innovation and policy leadership.
Professor Con Michael
Honorary Doctor of Science
For his outstanding contribution to medical research and education in Western Australia and for his support in the development of the Curtin Medical School.
Professor Ellen Kraly
Honorary Doctor of the University
In recognition of exceptional service to the Noongar people and Curtin University in the repatriation of the Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artworks, Our heart coming home.
Chief Justice Wayne Martin
Honorary Doctor of Letters
In recognition of exceptional contribution and ensuring greater access, transparency, compassion and human understanding to the administration of the law in Western Australia.
Emeritus Professor Michael McManus
Honorary Doctor of Science
For outstanding contributions to the science of human drug metabolism and exemplary leadership in the fields of science and higher education.
Mr Malcolm McCusker
Honorary Doctor of the University
In recognition of distinguished contribution and outstanding achievements to the Western Australian community and to the University as a legal practitioner, philanthropist and Governor.
Mrs Tonya McCusker
Honorary Doctor of the University
In recognition of distinguished service to the University and the broader community in the fields of philanthropy, leadership and community well-being.
Mr George Jones
Honorary Doctor of Letters
In recognition of exceptional contribution to the mining industry and philanthropy in Western Australia.
Dr Frances Pinter
Honorary Doctor of Letters
In recognition of distinguished contribution to the publishing industry and exceptional record of service to professional and public life.
Mr Garry Willinge
Honorary Doctor of the University
Recognised for his contribution to the Western Australian, the Australian and the international business, public sector and higher education communities.
Professor Jeanette Hacket
Honorary Doctor of the University
Recognised for her outstanding professional contribution to the people of Western Australia and for her leadership contribution to Curtin during her time in a number of senior management positions and, subsequently, as Vice-Chancellor from 2006 to 2013.
Dr Jim Gill
Honorary Doctor of the University
Recognised for his outstanding professional contribution to the people of Western Australia and for his leadership contribution to Curtin during his time as Chancellor.
Mr Andrew Mackenzie
Honorary Doctor of Science
In recognition of his contribution to the discipline of geochemistry and for strategic leadership in the resources industry.
Mr Charles Morgan
Honorary Doctor of Science
In recognition of his vision and commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation.
Madam Swee Hia Lim
Honorary Doctor of Science
In recognition of her distinguished contribution to the field of nursing.
Professor Fiona Stanley
Honorary Doctor of Science
As Foundation Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Professor Stanley has championed health and medical research and the importance of children and youth for Australia’s future.
Gordon Martin
Honorary Doctor of the University
Recognised for providing outstanding corporate governance and business leadership to Curtin and to other organisations.
Mr Tom Calma
Honorary Doctor of Science
In recognition of his distinguished contributions to Indigenous health and education.
Dr John O’Sullivan
Honorary Doctor of Science
For contributions to international radio astronomy and for the invention and development of high-speed wireless networking.
Professor Bryant Stokes
Honorary Doctor of Science
In recognition of his distinguished contribution to the field of health care and for his ongoing contribution to health education and the medical profession.
Professor Guo Huadong
Honorary Doctor of Science
For contributions to the international development of radar remote sensing and for international leadership in research and higher education with the People’s Republic of China.
Dr Jim Ross
Honorary Doctor of Science
In recognition of his distinguished career as a geoscientist and exceptional service to Curtin through his chairmanship of the Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry and Earth Science Western Australia.
President (Professor) Lu Yongxiang
Honorary Doctor of Science
In recognition of distinguished contribution to the development of fluid power transmission and leadership in the development of science and engineering in China.
Professor Reginald Malcolm McCulloch
Honorary Doctor of Science
In recognition of Professor McCulloch’s outstanding international scientific career.
His Excellency Lieutenant General John M Sanderson AC
Honorary Doctor of the University
Recognised for advancing higher education within Western Australia. He has attended numerous official functions on campus and maintained a regular dialogue with Curtin’s Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and other key academic staff on issues both specific to the University and those affecting higher education as a whole.
Right Honourable Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Honorary Doctor of the University
Recognised for his personal commitment to education and Curtin University of Technology’s long-standing and highly valued relationship with Malaysia.
Ms Ann Choo
Honorary Doctor of Science
In recognition of distinguished contribution to the development of the physiotherapy profession in Singapore and long standing support offered to Curtin’s School of Physiotherapy.
Professor Michael Daube
Honorary Doctor of Science
For outstanding leadership and distinguished contribution to the discipline of Public Health.
Ms Joy Brann
Honorary Doctor of Science
For outstanding community service through the development and teaching of palliative care.
Mr Leon Andrew Davis
Honorary Doctor of Science
For exceptional leadership and service to the mining industry and commitment to the development of mining operations in active partnership with Aboriginal people.
Dr Eric Gaychee Tan
Honorary Doctor of Science
For major contribution to medicine and to the advancement of surgery whilst also devoting his energies to community service and multicultural activities.
Mr Ian F Burston
Honorary Doctor of Science
Mr Brian Clifford Edwards
Honorary Doctor of Science
Dr Roy M Green
Honorary Doctor of Science
In recognition of the contribution made by Roy Montague Green both within the industry, community, and in particular his strong support and contribution to the University.
Dr Michael G Kailis
Honorary Doctor of Science
For the development and commercialisation of the marine resource industries in Australia and the region. His energy in developing major international activities directed to meeting the world’s food requirements is testament to his global contribution.
Dr Roger A G Vines
Honorary Doctor of Science
In recognition of his contribution to industry, the community, and in particular to the contribution made to the University.
Dr Frank R Honey
Honorary Doctor of Science
In recognition of his contribution to the Curtin University of Technology and to the area of remote sensing. Conferred 6 April 1995.
Mr Charles H Warman
Honorary Doctor of Science
For highly significant contribution through technical innovation relating to the science and practice of mechanical engineering.
Sir Arvi Parbo
Honorary Doctor of Science
Dr Alec Francis Trendall
Honorary Doctor of Science
For distinguished contribution to the field of geology and his valuable involvement with WAIT and Curtin Research in this field for over twenty years.