After much anticipation, Ben Wellings from the CASS has been selected to deliver the 2011 Last Lecture.
The Last Lecture is an annual lecture, symbolically marking the end of the ANU teaching year. This year, more than 700 students voted for Dr. Wellings, out of a field of 70 nominated lecturers.
Wellings follows on from an esteemed tradition of lecturers, which includes Professor John Hutchinson in 2010, and Dr Alastair Greig in 2008.
Wellings, who obtained his PhD from the ANU, is Convenor of European Studies at the ANU, although his research interests also extend towards the relationship between Australia and Europe.
According to his ANU Researchers profile, Wellings has also worked as a museum curator, a public affairs consultant, a researcher at the House of Commons and a merchant seaman maintaining England’s supply lines to cheap French lager.
Whilst Woroni was unable to ask Wellings to comment, it is accepted that he is an extremely well respected and loved member of the ANU teaching staff.
“I think it’s great – he was definitely my favourite lecturer last semester,“ said first year student Christina Rae, who enrolled in Wellings’ first semester course Europe in the Modern Era: Foundations of International Relations. “He will be able to provide an intelligent, engaging and witty speech.”
The lecture starts at 5:30pm in The Hall, University House on Thursday the 3rd of November. Doors open at 5:00pm, and no bookings are necessary
