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New Prato director appointed

11 March 2009

Dr Loretta Baldassar

Monash University's Prato Centre in Tuscany, Italy, has a new director.

Dr Loretta Baldassar will commence in the role next month.

Dr Baldassar is currently an associate professor in anthropology and sociology at the University of Western Australia.

She brings to the role a distinguished record of leadership and scholarship in Italian and migration studies.

Monash established the Prato Centre in 2001 to develop and expand Australia's connections with universities, governments, cultural organisations and industry in Europe.

The centre also provides the opportunity for Monash and other Australian students to study overseas.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Stephanie Fahey said Dr Baldassar had strong links within Italy, chairing the Cassamarca lectureships committee, a key Italian studies committee within Australia.

Until recently she also chaired the key national group Australasian Centre for Italian Studies (ACIS).

"Dr Baldassar brings to Monash a wealth of relevant experience," Professor Fahey said.

"I look forward to working with her as we move into the next stage of the Prato Centre's development."

Dr Baldassar succeeds Dr Annamaria Pagliaro who is undertaking a research project in 2009 after concluding her term as director of the Prato Centre in December 2008.

Professor Fahey commended Dr Pagliaro on her contribution to the centre.

"Dr Pagliaro oversaw important growth in the teaching, research support and community engagement activities of the Prato Centre," Professor Fahey said.

"More students and departments are accessing and benefiting from the centre than ever before."