Inspirational Community
Our research and professional staff along with our graduates have had an impact all over the world. From the invention of x-ray crystallography, penicillin and the Olympic torch to ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog’s first female Queen’s Counsel, Supreme Court judge, and state governor – they have made vital contributions.
History makers Some of our pioneering women Some of our ones to watch Celebrating some of our people
History makers
We were our state’s first university. The first to offer degrees in science and business. And the first to establish a conservatorium of music. Our people have embodied our spirit of history making.
Sir Howard Florey
Played a key role in the development of penicillin and is regarded by the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlogn scientific and medical community as one of its greatest figures.
Professor Fay Gale
The first honours graduate in Geography and the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog’s first female professor in 1978. In 1988 she was the first woman in a senior management position as Pro Vice-Chancellor.
Dr Andy Thomas AO
Spent a total of 6 months in space across four crewed missions over a 12-year period. Became the first ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlogn to walk in space in 2001.
Read more about out Nobel Laureates and History of firsts.
Some of our pioneering women
As the first ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog in ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog to admit women to all our degree courses on an equal basis to men, pioneering women are part of our DNA.
The first woman in ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog to graduate with a science degree, the first woman to graduate from the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog of Adelaide, and the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog’s first science graduate (male or female).
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Dame Roma Mitchell AC
First female Queen’s Counsel, Supreme Court judge, and state governor. She was also the first female chancellor of an ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlogn university—ours—from 1983 to 1990.
The Hon. Julia Gillard AC
×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog’s 27th, and first female, Prime Minister (2010 – 2013) and Deputy Prime Minister (2007 – 2010). Now an Honorary Visiting Professor.
Read more about pioneering women, women's suffrage and .
Some of our ones to watch
Our alumni are part of a large global community comprising more than 171,828 graduates across 150 countries. They all have a story to tell.
Dr Ben LaHood
Ben featured in The Ophthalmologist magazine’s Power List for 2023 as one of the world’s top 100 ophthalmologists.
Dr Sarah Boyle
An exceptional young leader in the field of breast cancer research, Sarah has embodied excellence and innovation throughout her and was awarded the 2023 James McWha Rising Star Award.
Nik Nasha Damia
A passionate humanitarian, Nik Nasha Damia is the Executive Director of Rohingya Women Development Network (RWDN) in Malaysia.
Celebrating some of our people
Our staff are at the core of the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog and their individual stories all contribute to the wonderful community that we have built over 150 years.
Associate Professor Beth Loveys
Associate Head of School (Learning and Teaching), School of Agriculture, Food and Wine.
Dr Joshua Curtis
Lecturer, Adelaide Law School.ÌýFaculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics
Celebrating some of our students
Our students are the history-makers of the future and the reason why the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog exists. They are the next generation to take us into the next 150 years.
Onnie Chan
An artist, an entrepreneur, and a master of immersive technologies. Onnie Chan is, in a word, impressive!
Caleb Rodgers
A friendly face around campus, Caleb is involved in countless clubs, is a Succeed@Adelaide Ambassador, andÌýworks for YouX
Grace Atta
Grace Atta will graduateÌýin 2024 withÌýa Double Degree in Media and Arts (majoring in Psychology)