Professor Steven Larkin, Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership
Prof Steve Larkin is a Kungarakany man from Darwin in the Northern Territory. He holds a Bachelor of Social Work, a Master of Social Science (Welfare and Social Policy) and is completing his PhD on the topic “Race matters? Indigenous employment in the Australian Public Service”.
Prior to 1995, Steve worked in urban, rural and remote Aboriginal communities in health and community development programs whilst working with the NT Government.
1995
Steve was appointed by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) as their National Aboriginal Health Adviser.
1997
During this time Steve became the inaugural Chief Executive Officer for the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).
1999
Steve joined the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care as an Assistant Secretary in the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) where he managed the Social Health (including implementing and managing the Bringing The Home program), Substance Misuse, Men’s and Prison’s health, Executive Policy as well as the Research and Data programs.
2002
Steve managed the National Indigenous Employment program for a brief period before transferring to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies as Deputy Principal.
2004
Steve was appointed as Principal (CEO) of the Institute.
2009
Steve took up his current position of Pro Vice-Chancellor – Indigenous Leadership with Charles Darwin University. He is the first Indigenous Australian to be appointed to the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor.
He is currently Chair of the Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council, a member of the Board with Beyond Blue, Chair of the NT Board of Studies, is a member of the panel in the Review of Higher Education Access and Outcomes and a member of the Indigenous Road Injury Project Advisory Committee.
In 2008, Steve was inducted into the National Indigenous Sports Hall of Fame for his contribution to field hockey.
Charles Darwin University has committed itself to becoming a leader amongst Australian universities in relation to Indigenous participation and relevance in its Stategic Plan, and by implication, significantly contributes to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of Indigenous people and communities in the Northern Territory and beyond.
We recognise that post-secondary education is crucial to ensuring that Indigenous people can access improved employment opportunities. Of equal significance are the roles that universities play in the development of Indigenous community leaders.
I invite you to explore this website and seek out opportunities for study, employment or research.
Professor Steven Larkin
