Professor Melanie Oppenheimer (pictured) is the new Professor of History in the School of International Studies at Flinders University, replacing Professor Eric Richards who has retired.

Professor Oppenheimer has an outstanding track record in research, community outreach, teaching, mentoring and administration.

She is presently the Chief Investigator on two Australian Research Council Linkage Grants and is writing the centenary history of the Australian Red Cross.

Her expertise and professionalism has led Professor Oppenheimer to be appointed to a range of commonwealth and state advisory panels and working parties including the Anzac Centenary Military and Cultural History Working Party.

Her excellence in teaching had led to teaching awards and commendations.

Arguably the leading expert on the history of volunteering and the non-profit sector, she will be joining the school from mid-2013.

Professor Oppenheimer’s active engagement with the community and the media fits perfectly with the School of International Studies, with the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences’ commitment to research for the real world, and with Flinders focus on engaging with the community.

Professor Oppenheimer will add to the History Discipline’s expertise in Australian history, women’s history and the history of war. Her expertise in volunteering and the non-profit sector will add to the Faculty’s strengths in social work and social planning.