To the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sydney,

We the undersigned, the students, supporters and colleagues of Professor Helen Dunstan, urge you to confirm her continuing appointment at the University of Sydney because of her outstanding and ongoing achievements in research and teaching.

Professor Dunstan is an internationally respected scholar and an elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. Election to the Academy depends on rigorous peer assessment of a scholar’s research productivity. Professor Dunstan was elected to the Academy in 2007—so this is a recent assessment—and she is still in her prime as a scholar. Her loss would be a significant blow to the University's reputation in Chinese and non-Western history and its ability to generate high quality research, and to produce high achieving students in these vital areas.

We the undersigned also recognise the extraordinary teaching commitment of Professor Dunstan. Many of us have benefited from the energy and insight she brings to the classroom and from the exciting research culture she fosters amongst students. Professor Dunstan’s classes are challenging and rewarding. We urge the University to consider Professor Dunstan's strong teaching record when deciding her employment status.

Please note that Professor Dunstan had no part in writing this petition. This petition is the creation of Professor Dunstan's supporters alone and should be seen in itself as a measure of the important impact her research and teaching has made.

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