JCPML Foundation Director - Dr Vicki Williamson

BA, DipEd(NE), GradDipAdvLib(CCAE), MA(Canberra), EdD (Curtin), FAIM, AALIA

Dr Williamson's academic qualifications span the areas of librarianship, education and arts. The focus of her doctoral research was change management, strategic planning and innovation in education.

Born in Narrabri, NSW in 1955, Dr Williamson began her library career at the Library/Learning Resource Centre of Armidale College of Advanced Education in 1978. She held various positions before moving west to Curtin University of Technology as Management Services Librarian in 1988.

In 1992 Dr Williamson was appointed University Librarian for the Library and Information Service of Curtin University of Technology. Shortly after her appointment, in preparation for her role as Director of the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library (JCPML), she undertook a tour of US Presidential libraries to gain contextual background for the planning and establishment of Australia's first prime ministerial library. In 1994 responsibility for JCPML's establishment and development was formally assigned to Dr Williamson, a role she continued until her resignation from the University in November 2001.

As well as these responsibilities, in 2001 she became the Project Leader for the university-wide Strategic Initiative to accelerate On-Line Learning Development.

Dr Williamson has been a representative on several national and state boards including the Australian Vice Chancellors Committee, Standing Committee on Information Resources (1996), the Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL) and served several terms as Chair of the Western Australian Group of University Librarians. She has also served on the boards of all major committees at Curtin University, including terms as Chair of the Heads of School Group and Deputy Chair of Academic Senate. Dr Williamson has published widely, presented at many national and overseas conferences and seminars.

Dr Vicki Williamson left Curtin University of Technology to take up a new appointment as Pro Vice Chancellor (Administrative & Academic Support) at the University of Ballarat.

See Papers and presentations by JCPML staff to view publications by Dr Williamson related to the JCPML.