Honorary Doctor of Letters
Citation delivered by Professor G.Q. Max Lu AO, Vice-Chancellor and President, at the University of Wollongong on the occasion of the admission of Maggie Dent as a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) on 24 April 2026.
Pro-Chancellor, I present to you Maggie Dent.
Maggie Dent is an accomplished author, educator and speaker whose work has shaped how educators and parents understand childhood in Australia and internationally. Through her writing, teaching and advocacy, she has influenced contemporary approaches to wellbeing and connection, helping families and communities to better support children and young people.
Her work is informed by professional experience across education, counselling, palliative care and suicide prevention. Maggie is widely recognised for a practical, evidence-informed approach to child development with a consistent focus on the early years, adolescence and building resilience.
Maggie’s influence extends nationally through her writing and media engagement. She is the author of nine bestselling books and a trusted source of guidance for parents and educators. Her podcast ‘Parental As Anything’, which received Gold at the 2022 Australian Podcast Awards, reflects her ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, helping to support young families at scale.
Beyond her national profile, Maggie has made a strong contribution at the community level. Since relocating to the Illawarra, she has actively supported local wellbeing initiatives by volunteering her time and expertise to those in need.
She has been a committed supporter of the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre and serves as an ambassador for The Sanctuary – The Hills Women’s Shelter, advocating for the safety and wellbeing of women and children experiencing hardship.
In 2020, following a series of tragic deaths in the Illawarra, Maggie played a leading role in supporting community recovery. Through the “Yellow Up” campaign and a series of inclusive workshops focused on loss and trauma, she helped strengthen the community in response to mental health challenges. Her contribution during this period was recognised through her appointment as the 2021 Kiama Electorate Woman of the Year.
A dedicated advocate for safer digital futures, Maggie is also a founding member of the ‘CTRL+SHFT’ online safety coalition, launched in 2025. Her advocacy work also extends to Telethon in WA, The Kids Research Institute Australia, The Fathering Project, The Humpty Dumpty Foundation and mental health not-for-profit Gotcha4Life Foundation.
Through sustained community engagement and meaningful local impact, Maggie Dent exemplifies the values of the University of Wollongong through her strong commitment to social responsibility and the communities we serve.
Pro-Chancellor, it is a privilege to present Maggie Dent for admission to the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa.