Rate Professor Ann Curthoys

Professional Summary: Professor Ann Curthoys

Professor Ann Curthoys is a distinguished historian and academic based at the University of Sydney, Australia. With a career spanning several decades, she has made significant contributions to the fields of Australian history, feminist history, and Indigenous studies. Her work is renowned for its depth and critical engagement with issues of race, gender, and national identity.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Curthoys holds advanced degrees in history, reflecting her deep academic grounding:

• PhD in History, Macquarie University, Australia (1973)
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours), University of Sydney, Australia (1967)

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Ann Curthoys specializes in Australian history with a focus on:

• Feminist history and gender studies
• Indigenous Australian history and race relations
• Historiography and historical writing
• Postcolonial studies and national identity

Her research often explores the intersections of personal narratives and broader historical contexts, contributing to nuanced understandings of Australia’s past.

Career History and Appointments

Professor Curthoys has held numerous prestigious positions throughout her career:

• Emeritus Professor, School of History, University of Sydney (current)
• Professor of History, Australian National University (1995–2008)
• Associate Professor and Lecturer, University of Technology, Sydney (1970s–1990s)

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Her contributions to historical scholarship have been widely recognized:

• Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities (elected 1997)
• Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
• New South Wales Premier’s History Award for Freedom Ride: A Freedom Rider Remembers (2003)

Key Publications

Professor Curthoys has authored and co-authored numerous influential works, including:

• Freedom Ride: A Freedom Rider Remembers (2002) – A personal and historical account of the 1965 Freedom Ride in Australia.
• For and Against Feminism: A Personal Journey into Feminist Theory and History (1988)
• Is History Fiction? (co-authored with John Docker, 2005) – An exploration of the boundaries between history and narrative.
• Connected Worlds: History in Transnational Perspective (co-edited with Marilyn Lake, 2005)
• Writing Histories: Imagination and Narration (co-edited with Ann McGrath, 2000)

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Ann Curthoys has profoundly shaped the study of Australian history by foregrounding marginalized voices, particularly those of women and Indigenous peoples. Her work on the 1965 Freedom Ride has been instrumental in documenting and analyzing early civil rights activism in Australia. Additionally, her contributions to feminist historiography have inspired generations of scholars to approach history through intersectional lenses. Her publications are widely cited, and she remains a key figure in debates about historical methodology and ethics.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Curthoys has been actively involved in the academic community through various roles:

• Delivered numerous public lectures on Australian history and feminist theory at institutions worldwide.
• Served on editorial boards of prominent journals, including Australian Historical Studies.
• Contributed to academic committees and advisory roles within the Australian Academy of the Humanities.