Photograph: Robert Adamson , David Malouf and John Dale at a CAL Chair of Poetry Lecture at UTS Juno Gemes ©

Professor of Poetry appointed at UTS (originally published in December 2011) from Robert Adamson’s Archives National Library of Australia

The first Chair in Australian Poetry to be filled by a major practising poet has been announced. The poet Robert Adamson will take up his post at UTS in February 2012. Funded by the Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) for three years the Chair in Australian Poetry is the first of its kind in Australia and is based on the model of the Oxford Professor of Poetry. Head of Creative Practices at UTS, Professor John Dale, said that Robert Adamson was chosen from a very strong field including several of Australia’s leading poets. ‘Robert Adamson’s passion and enthusiasm for poetry will inspire staff and students during his residency at UTS,’ Dale said. ‘Robert Adamson is one of the great poets of place and his presence at UTS will promote the recognition and enjoyment of Australian poetry internationally.’

With the recent announcement of the Prime Minister’s Prize for Poetry and the appointment of the first City of Sydney Poet, Kate Middleton, this position is timely and will enhance poetry’s importance to the Australian public.

‘When Seamus Heaney took up the Oxford Chair he lifted the profile of poetry in the UK and was tremendously popular,’ Robert Adamson said, ‘I intend to follow this example and inspire more people to read, write and enjoy poetry. Australia has some of the finest poets in the world and we need to spread the word. I intend to share the great art that made this possible, poetry, then build a solid foundation so this Chair becomes a vital and continuing tradition. I’m absolutely thrilled by this appointment.’

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