Adjunct Professor Scott Wilson, an Aboriginal man of the Stolen Generation from Darwin, has been admitted as an Honorary Fellow of the University of Sydney, in a ceremony recognising his many years of work in alcohol and drug use care.
Professor Wilson has dedicated his career to advancing the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities around Australia, and to Indigenous peoples internationally.
He described the recognition of his work as "an honour".
"I have always been absolutely committed to closing the gap and addressing issues with alcohol and other drugs - locally, nationally and internationally," he said.
"Working with Aboriginal people and communities to close the gap means ensuring that health outcomes, access to care and support are improved.
"This recognition demonstrates that the University is likewise committed to continuing this crucial work."
Professor Wilson is the founding CEO of the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council South Australia Aboriginal Corporation (ADAC), leading the organisation for more than 30 years.
Under his leadership, ADAC has become a leading provider of support for vulnerable Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, delivering services including 'Day Centres' for health and practical support to transient populations, harm reduction for injecting drug users, prison rehabilitation programs and residential centres in Port Augusta and Adelaide.
Professor Wilson was vital in the research and development of the Grog App, which has improved the available data on the drinking habits of Australians. Additionally, he has been Chief Investigator on National Health and Medical Research Council-funded projects through the University of Sydney since 2015; with all research conducted in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled services and communities.
University of Sydney presiding Pro-Chancellor, Professor Stephen Garton, celebrated his achievements.
"With a total commitment to advancing health and wellbeing, Scott's leadership and advocacy have transformed services and research, ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are central," he said.
"He has led the conversation on health policy and practice for decades.
"He was active in raising public and government awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder long before it was widely recognised. He raised awareness of the increasing rate of methamphetamine use long before the official data detected this trend."
Professor Garton said Professor Wilson's work "exemplifies the University's commitment to partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities".
"His achievements have improved lives and influenced health policy at every level," Professor Garton said.
For several years Professor Wilson was also joint director of the Centre of Research Excellence in Indigenous Health and Alcohol and chaired its Indigenous Advisory Group. The Centre has supported 14 Aboriginal researchers in the field of alcohol research, resulting in over 50 publications ranging from prevention to treatment, and in settings from community to residential rehabilitation.
Recognising his crucial role in research projects, the University of Sydney appointed Scott as Adjunct Professor in 2017.
Professor Wilson has held several leadership roles in harm reduction, including Deputy Chair of the Alcohol Education and Research Foundation. He has advised national policy as a member of the Australian National Council on Drugs and Deputy Co-Chair of the National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Committee.
Internationally, he represented Australia at the UN Beyond 2008 forum and was recently invited to present in Vienna on First Nations peoples and substance use.
His contributions have been recognised through numerous honours, including the First Peoples Award of the Australasian Professional Association of Alcohol and Other Drugs, and an Australian Centenary Medal (for services to the Indigenous community and wider Australian population).
Professor Wilson currently serves on the board of the Pennington Institute.
