Professor Reuben Bolt is a proud Yuin man from the south east coast of Australia. He is a descendant of the Yuin/Wandandian and Ngarigo peoples and is the first person of Aboriginal heritage to graduate with a PhD at the Faculty of Health Sciences, the University of Sydney. He brings more than 20 years’ experience within the higher education sector in Australia spanning teaching, research, and leadership on Indigenous issues. His research background traverses Indigenous studies, health science, microsociology, business administration, media arts and identity studies. He has held academic roles at various universities in Australia which has informed his passion for the ethics of engagement with Indigenous communities, and the improvement of Indigenous outcomes in higher education.
Professor Bolt joined CDU in 2020 as the Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership and Regional Outreach (PVCILRO), to play a key role in the executive management of CDU including the provision of advice and counsel to the Executive Leadership Group on Indigenous issues.
In 2021 Professor Bolt’s position was elevated to Deputy Vice-Chancellor First Nations Leadership, where he oversees the implementation of the CDU First Nations Leadership Core Plan and the Engagement and Partnerships Core Plan. He provides advice on Indigenous issues to CDU’s Senior Executive Team and plays a key role in the executive management of CDU. He is passionate about Indigenous education and is a strong advocate for improving outcomes in Indigenous communities, particularly in the Northern Territory.