One of Australia’s most distinguished medical researchers and public health advocates is among those receiving an honorary doctorate during summer graduations at The University of Western Australia next week.

Professor Fiona Stanley AC CitWA will be made an Honorary Doctor of Science on the seventh day of an eight-day summer graduation program, which will see more than 4,000 students receive their degrees across 15 ceremonies from Monday 8 December  to Wednesday 17 December.

Professor Stanley, a UWA graduate and founding director and patron of The Kids Research Institute Australia, has transformed lives through her leadership and commitment to child, maternal and Aboriginal health.

The patron of UWA’s Australian Child and Youth Wellbeing Atlas established population datasets in WA including registers of major childhood problems, championed record linkage and pioneered First Nations’ leadership in research.

In 2003, Professor Stanley was named Australian of the Year for her research on behalf of Australian children and Aboriginal social justice.

Education graduate Emeritus Professor Bill Louden AM, an educational leader and former UWA senior deputy vice-chancellor who has played a significant role in educational reform as a researcher, university leader and regulator, will be made an Honorary Doctor of Education.

Jennifer Hewett is an arts graduate who began her career with WA Newspapers before becoming one of Australia’s leading political and business journalists. Ms Hewett is currently national affairs columnist for the Australian Financial Review and will be made an Honorary Doctor of the University.     

After more than four decades as a leader in corporate law, financial services, regulation and law enforcement in Australia, law graduate Joe Longo will be made an Honorary Doctor of Laws.

Ms Rebecca Maslen-Stannage, a law graduate who became the first female Chair and first female Senior Partner with Herbert Smith Freehills, will be made an Honorary Doctor of Laws.

His Honour Denis Reynolds, who has had a prominent career in law and as a Children’s Court judge, has been a committed advocate for youth justice, particularly Aboriginal youth justice. Judge Reynolds will also be made an Honorary Doctor of Laws.

Professor Steve Wilton AO, Director of Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science and Deputy Director of the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics at Murdoch University, will be made an Honorary Doctor of Science.

Professor Wilton was an early pioneer in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and his team is currently exploring treatments for many diseases, aiming to develop new therapeutics for inherited and acquired conditions.

Science graduate Vanya Cullen OAM, chief winemaker and managing director of Cullen Wines, who has transformed boutique wineries and environmentally sustainable vineyards, will be made an Honorary Doctor of the University.

Former Water Corp CEO, UWA Pro Chancellor and engineering graduate Adjunct Professor Sue Murphy AO had a 25-year career with Clough Engineering including as a site engineer and project manager, which led to corporate roles and her appointment as the first woman on the board. She will be made an Honorary Doctor of the University.

Former Test cricketer and Cricket Australia Chair Wally Edwards AM, an engineering graduate who held positions on the Boards of the International Cricket Council (ICC), ICC World Cup, Bradman Foundation and WA Cricket, will be made an Honorary Doctor of the University.

Emeritus Professor Ian Constable AO CitWA, an internationally renowned ophthalmologist who celebrated 50 years in ophthalmology in 2018 and celebrated 50 years at UWA in 2025, will be made an Honorary Doctor of Science.    

Former WA Chief Scientist Emeritus Professor Peter Klinken AC CitWA, a leading medical research scientist known for his work in understanding genes involved in leukaemia, cancer and anaemia, will also be made an Honorary Doctor of Science.    

Dr Annie Sparrow, a paediatric and global health specialist who works in some of the world’s most marginalised places including refugee and detention camps and war-torn countries, will be made an Honorary Doctor of the University (Medicine.)    

The Honourable Robert French AC CitWA will receive the honorary title of Chancellor Emeritus to recognise and honour his outstanding contributions and service as former Chancellor of the University.

Gary Ellis, former Director of Venues Management at UWA who was pivotal in transforming the University Club into an award-winning venue, will receive the Chancellor’s Medal.    

Guest speakers include UWA graduates     Dr Michelle Olaithe, an Honorary Research Fellow from UWA’s School of Psychological Science and founder and clinical director at The Sleep Psychologist; and orthodontist Dr John Owen AM, who along with his wife Jan founded the Kimberley Dental Team to provide much-needed urgent general dental care in the remote north-west of WA.