The Chair in Australian Studies at Harvard University was established through a grant by the Australian Government, in recognition of the American Bicentenary, to further American understanding of Australia. Over the past 34 years, the Chair has been occupied by some of Australias most outstanding intellectuals. In 2010 the Chair was renamed in recognition of the two prime ministers who, from opposite sides of politics, negotiated and endowed this important initiative.

The Australian Nominating Committee will shortly meet to consider nominations to be sent to Harvard University as possible occupants of the Chair during the American 2013-2014 academic year. The final appointment will be made by the Australian Studies Committee at Harvard in consultation with the appropriate Harvard School or Department. The Committee seeks expressions of interest from persons wishing to be nominated. It encourages the interest of outstanding Australians in mid-career as well as those further advanced. The appointee will normally be expected to be at Harvard for a full academic year. Generous funding is available to support a conference or colloquium in the appointees field. The Committee reserves the right to invite particular persons to accept nomination. Persons wishing to be considered should provide a curriculum vitae, a list of three referees and a summary outline of a course to be given at Harvard.

In principle, no field of interest is excluded, though the relevance to Australian studies is vital. It is not essential that the persons wishing to be considered are academics, and the Committee is keen to encourage an Australia-wide interest in the Chair.