Monash University > News and Events > Monash Memo

60 seconds with … Graham Oppy

3 September 2008

Name: Graham Oppy
Org Unit: Faculty of Arts
Title: Professor
Dept: School of Philosophy and Bioethics

How long have you been with Monash University?

Twelve years.

Prior to working at Monash, where were you located and what was your role?

I was an ARC Postdoctoral Fellow in the Philosophy Program in the Research School for the Social Sciences at the Australian National University.

What challenges are ahead in your current role?

My immediate challenge is to complete a range of research projects, including a large ARC project on the history of philosophy in Australasia, a project on the history of western philosophy of religion, and a project on fictionalism; I am also co-writing a textbook on philosophy of religion.

What is it about your job that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?

In the past eight years, my job has had many parts. I've been a tutor and lecturer, an honours and HDR supervisor, a researcher, and an administrator, head of school and associate dean. Part of the satisfaction of the job is to perform in all of the parts at an acceptable level.

What is your favourite place in the world and why?

Home. Best of all, I like to hang out with my kids. (Yep, there still young enough to tolerate having me around.) And with Camille (who's maybe not quite so young anymore, but does also tolerate having me around).

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

I've thought about this for quite a while, and nothing much comes to mind. I've always been grateful to the headmaster of my secondary school, who advised me to study as much mathematics as I could while I was at school.

What is something about yourself that most of your colleagues wouldn't know?

I was nominally the coach of the Glendal Saints U12B football team that won the Eastern Primary Schools Football League Grand Final in 2006, that had another win on Grand Final day in 2007. After "coaching" for two seasons in total, I "retired" at the end of 2007. I reckon I'll rest on my laurels for the rest of my life.