AFAA is proud to celebrate the achievements of AFAA Board Member Diana Zhang, founder of Preview Health, who has announced the launch of a groundbreaking brain health blood test trial.

Motivated by the need for earlier detection and intervention in brain disease, Diana made the decision to pursue an entrepreneurial and research-driven path following the completion of a PhD. The result is Preview Health, a company focused on unlocking precision brain healthcare through innovative diagnostic tools.

After more than two years of intensive research and development, alongside extensive consultation with patients and the broader community, Preview Health is now inviting the first 500 participants to trial its new brain health blood test. The test aims to identify signs of metabolic dysfunction that may impact brain function, providing individuals with valuable insights into their brain health and the opportunity to monitor changes over time.

With brain diseases often detected years after symptoms first begin and many cases considered preventable, innovations such as this have the potential to transform how individuals understand and manage their health.

AFAA congratulates Diana on this significant milestone and looks forward to following the continued impact of this important work.

To learn more or join the waitlist, visit: www.preview.health

AFAA reminds members that applications for the 2026 Mentorship Program are currently open and will close on 31 March 2026.

The Mentorship Program is a six-month initiative that connects Fulbright alumni across disciplines, career stages, and sectors through structured, one-to-one mentoring relationships. The program supports professional development, leadership capability, and meaningful connection within the alumni community.

AFAA members are invited to apply as a mentor, mentee, or both. Participation is open to active members only, in line with AFAA’s Code of Conduct and insurance requirements.

How to Apply

To register your interest in the 2026 Mentorship Program, please complete the following steps:

1. Visit the AFAA website at fulbrightalumni.org.au

2. Log in to your member account and ensure your membership is current

3. Navigate to your profile and select ‘Edit Profile’

4. Select ‘Yes’ under Would you like to participate in our Mentorship Program?

5. Indicate whether you wish to participate as a mentor and/or mentee

6. Complete all mentorship-related fields in as much detail as possible to support the pairing process

7. Click ‘Save’ to confirm your participation

The information provided in your profile is critical to enabling thoughtful and effective mentor–mentee pairings.

Need Assistance?

Members with questions or requiring support are encouraged to contact the AFAA Mentorship Team via mentorship@fulbrightalumni.org.au.

Apply before 31 March 2026 and be part of a connected, values-driven alumni community.

Applications are now open for the AFAA 2026 Mentorship Program, a six-month initiative designed to strengthen professional connections, foster leadership capability, and support lifelong learning within the Fulbright alumni community.

The Mentorship Program brings together Fulbright alumni from diverse disciplines, sectors, and career stages to participate in meaningful, one-to-one mentoring relationships. The program provides a structured framework supported by guidance materials and resources, enabling both mentors and mentees to gain value from shared experience, knowledge exchange, and professional reflection.

Whether you are seeking to give back as a mentor or grow through guidance as a mentee, the program offers an opportunity to deepen engagement with the Fulbright network, expand professional horizons, and contribute to a strong and connected alumni community.

Program Overview

• Duration: Six months

• Format: One-to-one mentorship pairings

• Who can apply: Fulbright alumni at all career stages

• Focus: Professional development, leadership, connection, and knowledge sharing

Participants are encouraged to approach the program with openness and commitment, recognising the value of cross-disciplinary perspectives and shared learning.

How to Apply

Applications are now open and can be submitted via the AFAA website. Further information, including program expectations and timelines, is available on the Mentorship Program page.

We encourage all interested alumni to consider applying and becoming part of this impactful initiative.

Applications close 31 March 2026—don’t miss the opportunity to participate in the AFAA 2026 Mentorship Program.

Book Launch Announcement | June 2026

Cambridge University Press will launch The Psychology of Place: Rebuilding Sense of Place in a Post-Colonial World in June 2026 — a powerful new publication curated and led by Fulbright alum and former AFAA President, Dr Iain Butterworth.

Bringing together contributions from 40 scholars and practitioners across psychology, Indigenous knowledge, urban design, education, health, governance, and planning, the book explores what a “sense of place” means, how it changes, and how it can be measured.

We’re proud to also acknowledge contributions from Fulbright alumni A/Prof Michael Donovan and A/Prof Alison Vivian.

This cross-disciplinary work is essential reading for those committed to community, liveability, climate action, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

A proud moment for the Australian Fulbright Alumni Association (AFAA)!

Professor Aiden Warren, AFAA President, has released a compelling new book, co-authored with Professor Joseph M. Siracusa, offering timely insights into today’s security challenges, strategic leadership, and the evolving global landscape.

This publication reflects the depth of expertise within our Fulbright community and reinforces the value of international collaboration — a hallmark of the Fulbright mission.

If you are passionate about geopolitics or diplomacy, this is a must-read. Secure your copy today: https://lnkd.in/eQ5b4Hiq

Spirits were high at the Australian Fulbright Alumni Association's (AFAA) November Board meeting as the Board aligned on priorities for the year ahead. The Board covered key updates across business operations, upcoming member initiatives, and planning for the 2026 Mentorship Program.

We’re energised and committed to re-engaging the Fulbright community, strengthening our state chapters, and delivering more inspiring events and opportunities for connection.

And now we’d love to hear from you.
What do you want to see from AFAA?
How can we help maximise your Fulbright experience and connect you with like-minded alumni?
What’s happening in your local Fulbright community?

Share your ideas, feedback, and suggestions with us at admin@fulbrightalumni.org.au — your voice will help shape what comes next.

We are aware our members have been the subjects of a phishing scam from a false email purporting to be our president, Rod Kennett, seeking to discuss reimbursements. Please note we will never ask you for your personal banking details by email, and that we use secure payment systems such as PayPal to process financial transactions. Please ignore these emails.

The Fulbright community were deeply saddened by the passing of Fulbright Alumnus Susanita Dudley on September 28.  Susanita was an indefatigable supporter of Australian Fulbright Alumni Association, serving in many committee roles, and always active in welcoming new alumni and building networks and connections. She was particularly passionate in fundraising for the WG Walker Fund and hosted many fundraising events through the years.

Those of us that knew her well all were struck by her energy and joie de vivre. She was thoughtful and energetic and always embraced new friends. Through the years she was there for a call, a walk through a museum, and often a bouquet of native flowers or a special bottle of wine to celebrate life’s events. She was ever the friend and host and notably the perfect complement to Earl’s more sober demeanour.

Sadly, Susanita’s death was just 12months after the death of her husband Earl Dudley.  Susanita and Earl were always proud that they met through the Fulbright program, and together, actively promoted Fulbright values throughout their lives.  Despite her difficult illness, Susanita remained stoic and cheerful, working to her last days to ensure that her family, friends and the Fulbright community benefited from her and Earl’s estate. 

Susanita and Earl’s donation to AFAA will be used to support networking and professional support opportunities for Fulbright alumni, including supporting Fulbright Australia to increase First Nations Australian participation in Fulbright opportunities.

Vale, Susanita!

AFAA has launched its official LinkedIn and Twitter page and we invite you to follow and connect with us.

AFAA is enjoying a refresh this year with some new activities including:

We invite you to engage in our supportive network. With alumni and current scholars working across the globe, AFAA’s LinkedIn and Twitter page will enable you to interact with one another, share ideas and knowledge, inspire others, promote free thinking, and encourage debates and ideas. AFAA also has a Facebook page and, if you haven’t already, we also invite you to like us.  

We look forward to engaging with you online!

Dear Colleagues,

I am deeply honoured (and a little trepidatious) to step into the role of AFAA President. AFAA has been ably led for over 6 years by Dr Ian Butterworth and he is indeed a hard act to follow. Iain’s substantial legacy includes a revised governance structure including a national committee and policies such as our code of conduct (2015). He led AFAA migration to a new membership platform and an independent web presence (fulbrightalumni.org.au) in 2016. Iain hosted numerous conferences and annual salons including celebratory salons for Fulbright’s 70^th Anniversary.  Working with committee member Angela Heise, he led strategic reviews and program implementation to guide growth of the association in 2015 and 2019.  Before the close of his presidency, Iain helped initiate the scoping and resourcing of our recently launched mentorship program. 

Iain’s contribution to Fulbright has been substantial and I very grateful he has agreed to remain on the national committee and that I can continue to call on his experience and counsel. I am also ably supported by an experienced committee notably Dr Vanessa Adams who has been on the committee for some 6 years including 3 years as secretary and now Treasurer. Vanessa’s corporate knowledge and her highly competent and practical support for AFAA are invaluable. Angela Heise, who led our strategic review in 2019 has also remained on the committee and her strategic thinking will be invaluable as we emerge into a COVID-normal world. Dr Caroline Smith our secretary brings some 3 years AFAA committee experience and a background in policy and strategy, executive leadership and not for profit boards. Our committee has also been invigorated by several new members including Dr Aiden Warren, Professor Peter Jarvis, Dr Farrukh Mateen and Professor Jon Adams. I’m excited and honored to be working with such a talented and experienced group of people.

Recently, I enjoyed a highly productive meeting with Dr James Arvanatakis the new Executive Director of Fulbright Australia and with Alex MacLaurin (FA Communications Manager). I’m confident that AFAA and FA will enjoy a strong and productive relationship starting with co-hosting a leadership workshop in 2022. 

I believe that one of the great strengths of Fulbright is the huge diversity of disciplines, interests, experience, and culture that the scholars and alumni represent. I look forward to working with all to promote the values and goals of the Fulbright and to ensure that membership of AFAA is a rewarding and supportive experience.

I wish you all the best for the remainder of this challenging year and for the approaching, and doubtless very welcome, holiday season.  I look forward to the rewards and challenges that 2022 will bring.

Rod Kennett

AFAA President