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7th December 2022
The Centre for Western Sydney extends its congratulations and well-wishes to Associate Professor Rae Dufty-Jones, who has stepped down from her role as Principal Research Fellow in the Centre to take on a new opportunity.
Associate Professor Dufty-Jones joined the Centre in September 2021 as its inaugural Principal Research Fellow. Director of the Centre of Western Sydney, Professor Andy Marks, said Rae’s appointment was an important milestone following the Centre’s relaunch in November 2020.
“Rae joined the Centre at a critical time, when we were working to renew and significantly expand our focus on fulfilling a unique commitment in the Western Sydney University Act: supporting the development of Western Sydney,” said Professor Marks.
“Rae brought passion and integrity to her role as Principal Research Fellow and helped the Centre to balance its focus on delivering high-quality research, consultancy and advocacy for – and with – the communities of Western Sydney.”
During her time with the Centre, Associate Professor Dufty-Jones initiated and led the development of the Centre’s first Research Strategy.
Rae also made significant contributions to the ‘Parramatta 2035: Vibrant, Sustainable, Global’ report (also known as ‘The Glover Review’); the development and analysis of a series of Western Sydney ‘liveability’ metrics likely to be impacted by the NSW Government’s $5 billion WestInvest Program; and the evaluation of the ex-post wider economic and placemaking impacts of the Sydney Metro.
Professor Marks said the Centre looks forward to announcing the appointment of its new senior researcher in 2023, as well as recruiting a new Postdoctoral Research Fellow.
“When Rae joined the Centre as Principal Research Fellow in 2021, she was joined by our inaugural Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Dr Rhonda Itaoui,” said Professor Marks.
“Rhonda has also been offered an exciting new opportunity in her research career in 2023 that will see her also step down from her Postdoctoral Research Fellow position – however I am pleased to share that Rhonda will be staying on with the Centre on a part-time basis in 2023 and will remain a critical part of our research team.”
Professor Marks said it is heartening that the Centre has proved to be a launching pad that advances the careers of female early career and senior researchers.
“Rae brought to the Centre an innovative research agenda on Australian housing policy, infrastructure and regional economic development, while Rhonda enriched the Centre with her focus on addressing the needs of underrepresented and disadvantaged communities,” said Professor Marks.
“It will be exciting to see the Centre pivot and reorient its research focus in 2023 – all the while maintaining a steadfast commitment to supporting the people and communities of Western Sydney.”
