Warren Arthur Bebbington

Warren Arthur Bebbington was born 25 April, 1952 at Caulfield, Melbourne.

Bebbington is a Fulbright Scholar who studied at the University of Melbourne, Columbia University, and the City University of New York. He holds Masters degrees in Arts and Music and a PhD in Musicology. He has worked as a conductor and lecturer and was awarded a University of Melbourne Award for Excellence in Teaching (Humanities) in 2005 and an Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation for "30 years of outstanding teaching" in 2008. His teaching appointments included the Australian National University's School of Music and Dean of Music at the University of Melbourne.

Bebbington was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of Adelaide (2012 to 2017). In December 2012 Professor Bebbington championed a new direction for the University of Adelaide, outlined in the ten-year Beacon of Enlightenment Strategic Plan. He also launched the highly successful Seek Light brand campaign to highlight the institution’s distinctive characteristics.

Over his tenure as Vice-Chancellor, the University of Adelaide took an Australian lead in delivering small group discovery learning experiences. This focused on equipping students with the skills of analysis, criticism, expert search and written communications essential to independent enquiry.

Professor Bebbington also oversaw the development of several key projects at the University, including the new Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences building on North Terrace.  He developed a Campus Master Plan which led to better availability of resources for students and generally adopted a "hands-on" approach to University management.

Warren Bebbington resigned from his position as Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of Adelaide in April 2017 and was awarded Emeritus Professor at the University of Adelaide in recognition of his outstanding, distinguished and sustained service to the University of Adelaide and to the higher education sector in Australia, and to the field of music studies internationally.

He also holds the titles of Professor Emeritus and a Professorial Fellow (Fine Arts and Music; and Centre for Studies in Higher Education) at the University of Melbourne.

In the Australia Day 2020 Honours he was awarded a MEMBER (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA for significant service to education, particularly to the study of music.

With over 100 publications, including the Oxford Companion to Australian Music, Professor Bebbington was the music member of the international Advisory Committee for Encyclopaedia Britannica for over a decade.