Mark Allon

Mark Allon is an Associate Professor and Chair of Discipline in South Asian Buddhist Studies at the University of Sydney. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and a BA (Honours) from the Australian National University. His research focuses on early Buddhist literature, Gandhari manuscripts, and the textual traditions of South and Southeast Asia. Allon leads major projects, including the study of the Senior Kharosthi manuscripts and the conservation of the Kuthodaw Pagoda inscriptions in Myanmar.

• Education: PhD (Buddhist Studies, Cambridge), BA (Asian Studies, ANU; Hons 1), Dip. Arts (City Art Institute)
• Key Roles: President of the Australasian Association of Buddhist Studies, Board Member of the International Association of Buddhist Studies, and member of the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre

His research interests include the composition and transmission of early Buddhist texts, Gandhari and Pali languages, and the cultural heritage of Gandhara. Current projects involve digital humanities initiatives for Buddhist manuscripts and the study of marble stelae inscriptions in Mandalay.

Allon has received grants such as the Robert H. No Ho Family Foundation Grant (2019) and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation award (2019). He advises on the Dhammakaya Tipitaka Project and collaborates with institutions globally on manuscript preservation.