An evening on what Australia and Africa can build together

Join the Australia Africa Universities Network (AAUN) and the University of Newcastle for the 2026 John Hearn Memorial Lecture. This is an evening for anyone who believes universities in Australia and Africa have more to gain as equal partners than as distant ones.

Hear from a diplomat at the heart of the relationship

This year’s keynote is delivered by H.E. Dr. Jonathan Thuto Mahlanza, High Commissioner of Bostwana to Australia. It is a rare chance to hear how the relationship between the two continents looks from the diplomatic front line, and what role universities and researchers can play in shaping it.

See partnership in practice

A panel chaired by Dr Alek Voninski, PVC Global at the University of Newcastle, explores what AAUN collaborations have made possible at Newcastle, with Dr Phinda Khumalo, Emeritus Prof Tim Roberts and Dr Jane Rich.

Celebrate the next generation

The evening closes with the presentation of the 2026 John Hearn-Cheryl de la Rey Early Career Researcher Prize, which honours an emerging scholar working across Australia and Africa.

About the John Hearn Memorial Lecture

Professor John Hearn (1943–2024) co-founded the Australia Africa Universities Network in 2012 with Professor Cheryl de la Rey, then of the University of Pretoria, and served as its first Australian Co-Chair. A reproductive and developmental physiologist and academic diplomat, he held senior leadership roles at the Australian National University and the University of Sydney, led the Worldwide Universities Network, and served on the Foreign Minister’s Advisory Group on Australia-Africa Relations.

AAUN established the annual lecture in his memory to carry his work forward. It brings together thought leaders and knowledge partners from both continents to reflect on higher education and research partnerships between Australia and Africa.

The inaugural lecture, “No Ordinary Partnership: the AAUN and Why It Matters”, was delivered by Professor Cheryl de la Rey at UNSW Sydney in November 2025. In 2026 the lecture comes to the University of Newcastle.

Programme (AEDT)
5:30pm Arrival and registration
6:00pm Welcome to Country and opening welcomes from the University of Newcastle and AAUN Co-Chairs for Australia and Africa
6:30pm Keynote address by H.E. Dr Wilson Kogo
7:00pm Panel discussion
7:30pm Presentation of the ECR Prize
7:45pm Refreshments, group photo and close

Join us in person or online

Choose the ticket that suits you:

In person at NUspace, Room XG18, 409 Hunter Street, Newcastle NSW. Stay for refreshments and conversation after the lecture.
Online. Your joining link will be emailed before the event.

Attendees are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs. AAUN is unable to provide funding to attend. Unless advised otherwise.

Online start times (programme begins 6:00pm AEDT)
Perth 3:00pm | Johannesburg and Pretoria 9:00am | Nairobi 10:00am

Contact the host of The Annual AAUN John Hearn Memorial Lecture

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