The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) announced today the appointment of Professor Luke Wolfenden as the new Editor-In-Chief (EIC) of its flagship publication, the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.
Professor Wolfenden is a Professor of Public Health at the University of Newcastle, and a long standing PHAA member. He has previously served on the Editorial Panel of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health and is currently the Co-ordinating Editor of Cochrane Public Health.
Professor Wolfenden will take the reins from current long-standing Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Professor John Lowe who is retiring 1 July 2024.
The appointment was formally announced by PHAA CEO Adjunct Prof Terry Slevin at the Public Health Association of Australia’s Annual Public Health Conference in Hobart last night.
Adjunct Prof Slevin said that Professor Lowe has played a vital role in the growth of the popularity and credibility journal, which now attracts over one million downloads a year and is a leading public health publication in the region.
“We are extremely grateful for the long and distinguished service provided by Professor Lowe, who has served as Editor-in-Chief since 2013 and been on the journal editorial Board since 1998. He will step down 30 June 2024, allowing an effective handover period. John has been a dedicated leader of the Journal who has developed it to its current strong standing in the health research community.:
Adjunct Prof Slevin said he was thrilled to announce Prof Wolfenden’s appointment.
“The EIC of the journal is a vitally important role for the Association and is an ex officio Member of the PHAA Board. PHAA prides itself on providing evidence-based policy advice to the community and to governments and we have no doubt that Prof Wolfenden is well placed to build on the public health legacy that Prof Lowe leaves behind. Luke was the outstanding candidate selected through an open competitive process.”
Professor Wolfenden said he was both excited and honoured to accept his new Editor-In-Chief appointment.
“I want to express my thanks to the PHAA for the opportunity to take on this important role at the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.
“The journal is a critical resource for public health research and practice with an international reputation of excellence. It is a critical resource for evidence-based public health policy and practice here and abroad, and a forum for the dissemination and exchange of research and ideas to improve public health.
“I am grateful for Professor Lowe’s stewardship of the Journal over many years and will work with John during the transition period to ensure maintenance of the Journal’s high editorial standards and continuity of rigorous editorial processes.
“I look forward to working with the broader Editorial team to continue to strengthen the Journal – recognising the dynamic and evolving nature of the field and the importance of adapting to make the most of opportunities to address the most pressing public health challenges of our time.”
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact:
Hollie Harwood, Strategic Communications Advisor, Public Health Association of Australia, hharwood@phaa.net.au, 0400 762 010
Paris Lord, Media and Communications Manager, Public Health Association of Australia, plord@phaa.net.au 0478 587 917
Note to editors:
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health is a publication of the Public Health Association of Australia.
All articles are open access and can be found here: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/australian-and-new-zealand-journal-of-public-health
