}}

}}

'''Rebekah Ruth Brown''' FASSA is an Australian academic who has served as interim [[Vice-chancellor|Vice-Chancellor]] and President of the [[Australian National University]] since September 2025.{{Cite web|title=Professor Rebekah Brown|url=https://www.anu.edu.au/about/university-executive/professor-rebekah-brown|website=Australian National University|date=2024-05-08|access-date=2026-01-31|language=en}} She is an internationally recognized researcher in environmental studies, specializing in urban water management, sustainable development, and transdisciplinary methods.

'''Rebekah Ruth Brown''' [[FASSA]] is an Australian academic who has served as interim [[Vice-chancellor|Vice-Chancellor]] and President of the [[Australian National University]] since September 2025.{{Cite web|title=Professor Rebekah Brown|url=https://www.anu.edu.au/about/university-executive/professor-rebekah-brown|website=Australian National University|date=2024-05-08|access-date=2026-01-31|language=en}} She is an internationally recognized researcher in environmental studies, specializing in urban water management, sustainable development, and transdisciplinary methods.

== Education ==

== Education ==

Brown holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree with Honors from [[Monash University]]. She completed her [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] in Environmental Studies at the [[University of New South Wales]] in 2003, with her doctoral thesis titled "Institutionalisation of integrated urban stormwater management: multiple-case analysis of local management reform across metropolitan Sydney."{{Cite thesis|title=Institutionalisation of integrated urban stormwater management: multiple-case analysis of local management reform across metropolitan Sydney|url=http://hdl.handle.net/1959.4/23886|publisher=UNSW Sydney|date=2003|degree=Thesis|language=English|first=Rebekah Ruth|last=Brown}}

Brown holds a [[Civil engineer|Bachelor of Civil Engineering]] degree with Honors from [[Monash University]]. She completed her [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] in Environmental Studies at the [[University of New South Wales]] in 2003, with her doctoral thesis titled "Institutionalisation of integrated urban stormwater management: multiple-case analysis of local management reform across metropolitan Sydney."{{Cite thesis|title=Institutionalisation of integrated urban stormwater management: multiple-case analysis of local management reform across metropolitan Sydney|url=http://hdl.handle.net/1959.4/23886|publisher=UNSW Sydney|date=2003|degree=Thesis|language=English|first=Rebekah Ruth|last=Brown}}

Prior to her academic career, Brown worked as a practising civil engineer on major infrastructure projects across the United Kingdom, Europe, South East Asia, and Africa.

Prior to her academic career, Brown worked as a practising civil engineer on major infrastructure projects across the United Kingdom, Europe, South East Asia, and Africa.

Brown co-founded the water-sensitive cities research platform at [[Monash University]] as a sustainable development solution to urban water challenges globally. She was instrumental in establishing the $120 million (AUD) Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities, comprising 86 partner organisations and over 170 researchers.{{Cite web|title=Rebekah Brown|url=https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebekah-brown-332071|website=The Conversation|date=2017-01-19|access-date=2026-01-31|language=en-US}} In this role, she served as Chief Research Officer and inaugural Society-themed Program Leader, leading the integration of research outcomes from more than 100 researchers and 40 doctoral students across multiple institutions and 20 disciplines.{{Cite web|url=https://www.monash.edu/gender-equity/iwd-2021/home/professor-rebekah-brown|title=Professor Rebekah Brown|access-date=2026-01-31|website=International Women's Day 2021, Monash University|last=Monash University|url-status=live}}

Brown co-founded the water-sensitive cities research platform at [[Monash University]] as a sustainable development solution to urban water challenges globally. She was instrumental in establishing the $120 million (AUD) Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities, comprising 86 partner organisations and over 170 researchers.{{Cite web|title=Rebekah Brown|url=https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebekah-brown-332071|website=The Conversation|date=2017-01-19|access-date=2026-01-31|language=en-US}} In this role, she served as Chief Research Officer and inaugural Society-themed Program Leader, leading the integration of research outcomes from more than 100 researchers and 40 doctoral students across multiple institutions and 20 disciplines.{{Cite web|url=https://www.monash.edu/gender-equity/iwd-2021/home/professor-rebekah-brown|title=Professor Rebekah Brown|access-date=2026-01-31|website=International Women's Day 2021, Monash University|last=Monash University|url-status=live}}

Her research has been influential in shaping urban water policy internationally. Her work has been cited in UN-Habitat's formulation of policy on urban drainage (2014–2017), in a major UNESCO analysis of 33 cities (2012), and by the Asian Development Bank to help frame water infrastructure investment strategies for its client nations.

Her research has been influential in shaping urban water policy internationally. Her work has been cited in UN-Habitat's formulation of policy on urban drainage (2014–2017), in a major [[UNESCO]] analysis of 33 cities (2012), and by the [[Asian Development Bank]] to help frame water infrastructure investment strategies for its client nations.

=== Monash University Leadership (2018-2024) ===

=== Monash University Leadership (2018-2024) ===

* Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Senior Vice-president (June 2021 – May 2024)

* Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Senior Vice-president (June 2021 – May 2024)

In these roles, she provided leadership and direction for advancing the university's research agenda. She was responsible for expanding research capability, performance and impact, while fostering interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary areas of excellence and collaboration to deliver large-scale, high-impact research programs. Under her executive leadership, Monash University's annual research revenue increased by 70 percent over five years, and the university ranked first in the [[Group of Eight (Australian universities)|Group of Eight]] for research quality.{{Cite web|title=ANU Announces New Provost|url=https://www.miragenews.com/anu-announces-new-provost-1204058/|website=Mirage News|access-date=2026-01-31|language=en-AU}}

In these roles, she provided leadership and direction for advancing the university's research agenda. Under her executive leadership, Monash University's annual research revenue increased by 70 percent over five years, and the university ranked first in the [[Group of Eight (Australian universities)|Group of Eight]] for research quality.{{Cite web|title=ANU Announces New Provost|url=https://www.miragenews.com/anu-announces-new-provost-1204058/|website=Mirage News|access-date=2026-01-31|language=en-AU}}

Brown championed equity and inclusion at Monash, pioneering and leading innovative programs and mentoring schemes to support staff and students and ensure capability development and excellence.

=== Australian National University (2024–present) ===

=== Australian National University (2024–present) ===

==== RISE Program ====

==== RISE Program ====

Brown was the Founding Director of the Revitalizing Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) program, a ground-breaking $70 million multi-country health research initiative supported by the [[Wellcome Trust]]. The program, which began in 2016, aimed to significantly advance human health and wellbeing in informal settlements (urban slums) by transforming water infrastructure, water management, and sanitation practices.

Brown was the Founding Director of the Revitalizing Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) program, a $70 million multi-country health research initiative supported by the [[Wellcome Trust]]. The program, which began in 2016, aimed to significantly advance human health and wellbeing in informal settlements (urban slums) by transforming water infrastructure, water management, and sanitation practices.

RISE focused on informal settlements in Fiji and Indonesia, working to improve conditions for more than 3,000 people by strengthening access to essential water and sanitation services and creating healthier environments.{{Cite web|title=RISE project revitalising urban slums|url=https://lens.monash.edu/video-revitalising-urban-informal-settlements/|website=Monash Lens|date=2017-11-01|access-date=2026-01-31|language=en}} The program employed a water-sensitive cities approach, integrating environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive design with management of the water cycle to benefit human health and urban ecosystems.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rise-program.org/archived/blog/tackling-the-challenges-of-a-changing-world-through-interdisciplinary-research|title=Tackling the challenges of a changing world through interdisciplinary research|date=2019-05-01|access-date=2026-01-31|website=RISE — Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments|last=Brown|url-status=live|first=Rebekah|last2=Werbeloff|first2=Lara|last3=Raven|first3=Rob}}

RISE focused on informal settlements in Fiji and Indonesia, working to improve conditions for more than 3,000 people by strengthening access to essential water and sanitation services and creating healthier environments.{{Cite web|title=RISE project revitalising urban slums|url=https://lens.monash.edu/video-revitalising-urban-informal-settlements/|website=Monash Lens|date=2017-11-01|access-date=2026-01-31|language=en}} The program employed a water-sensitive cities approach, integrating environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive design with management of the water cycle to benefit human health and urban ecosystems.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rise-program.org/archived/blog/tackling-the-challenges-of-a-changing-world-through-interdisciplinary-research|title=Tackling the challenges of a changing world through interdisciplinary research|date=2019-05-01|access-date=2026-01-31|website=RISE — Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments|last=Brown|url-status=live|first=Rebekah|last2=Werbeloff|first2=Lara|last3=Raven|first3=Rob}}

=== Research and publications ===

=== Research and publications ===

Brown has published over 220 papers in prestigious journals including [[Nature (journal)|Nature]], [[Science (journal)|Science]], [[Global Environmental Change]], and [[Water Research]]. Her work has been highly cited, with an h-index of 50 and more than 12,800 citations.

Brown has published over 220 papers in prestigious journals including [[Nature (journal)|Nature]], [[Science (journal)|Science]], [[Global Environmental Change]], and [[Water Research]]. Her work has been highly cited, with an [[h-index]] of 50 and more than 12,800 citations.

She has served on five international editorial boards, including those of [[Urban Water Journal]] and [[Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions]].

She has served on five international editorial boards, including those of [[Urban Water Journal]] and [[Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions]].

Brown was the first person in her family to attend university. She studied engineering as one of only three women in her undergraduate cohort at a time when equal opportunity legislation was being implemented across the education sector in Australia.

Brown was the first person in her family to attend university. She studied engineering as one of only three women in her undergraduate cohort at a time when equal opportunity legislation was being implemented across the education sector in Australia.

Brown relocated to Canberra in 2024 when she joined ANU. She has spoken about enjoying the local flora and fauna, including observing five different bird species around her home.

Brown relocated to [[Canberra]] in 2024 when she joined ANU. She has spoken about enjoying the local flora and fauna, including observing five different bird species around her home.{{[[Template:Citation needed|Citation needed]]}}

== External links ==

== External links ==