Stephen Garton

Professor Stephen Garton serves as Principal Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sydney, following his brief tenure as Vice-Chancellor and Principal from December 2020 to July 2021. With over two decades of senior leadership experience, his administrative roles have included Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (2019-2020), Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (2009-2019), and Dean of the Faculty of Arts (2001-2009). He was appointed Professor of History in 2000 and Challis Professor in 2004.

Professor Garton earned his BA from the University of Sydney and PhD from the University of New South Wales. His academic distinctions include fellowships in multiple prestigious academies, reflecting his significant contributions to historical scholarship.

Professor Garton's research focuses on nineteenth and twentieth century social and cultural history, with particular expertise in Australian history, though he has also published extensively on British and American history. His work spans several interconnected fields including the history of medicine, crime and incarceration, sexuality, masculinity, psychiatry, eugenics, and the social impact of war. His scholarship often examines how medical and psychological knowledge has shaped social policy and individual experiences, particularly in relation to marginalized populations.

His publications reveal a consistent interest in how historical narratives are constructed and contested, especially regarding national identity and collective memory. Recent work has examined Anzac mythology, postwar experiences of veterans, and the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality in historical contexts. His collaborative projects, particularly those examining Harlem in the 1920s-1930s, demonstrate innovative interdisciplinary approaches to social history.

Professor Garton has received numerous professional honors:

• Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities (FAHA)
• Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (FRHS)
• Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (FASSA)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of NSW

Throughout his career, Professor Garton has secured significant research funding from the Australian Research Council and other bodies. His major projects include studies on the Unified National System of Higher Education in Australia, the history of mental health, and collaborative work on Harlem in the 1920s-1930s. He has also been deeply involved in major reference works, particularly the Australian Dictionary of Biography, where he has contributed numerous entries and served on editorial boards. His leadership extends to significant institutional roles, including chairing committees that shape national research infrastructure in the humanities.

Professor Garton has been instrumental in developing digital humanities projects, most notably the Digital Harlem: Everyday Life 1915-1930 website, which provides innovative ways to explore historical urban spaces. His work bridges traditional historical scholarship with new digital methodologies, creating resources that serve both academic researchers and the broader public.