Professor Dixon will continue in his role as Executive Dean after leading the faculty in an interim capacity following the retirement of Professor Martina Möllering in May 2022.
Professor Dixon’s research focus is on American history, including African American history, US military history and American cultural history. His most recent book, African Americans and the Pacific War: Race, Nationality, and the Fight for Freedom, was published by Cambridge University Press in late 2018. Professor Dixon is currently researching the part played by African Americans in the Korean War, and American servicemen on leave in Australia during the Vietnam War.
Professor Dixon is highly regarded for his expertise, having served two terms as President of the Australian and New Zealand American Studies Association, as well as President of the International Society for Cultural History. He has received grants from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council and the Australian Research Council. In 2016 he held the Fulbright Scholarship in Australian-US Alliance Studies.
Professor Dixon, who joined the University in 2016, previously held the role of Dean of the Macquarie School of Social Sciences. He has also held appointments at the University of Sydney, Massey University, the University of Newcastle, and the University of Queensland.
“It has been a privilege leading the Faculty of Arts in an interim position over the last six months,” he said. “I look forward to having the opportunity to continue leading such a diverse and innovative faculty.”
Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton welcomed the recent appointment.
“I take this opportunity to thank Professor Dixon for his contribution as the interim Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and officially welcome him to the role in a permanent capacity. The Faculty of Arts maintains a strong reputation across research, student success and employment outcomes, and I look forward to working with him to contribute to its upward trajectory.”
