Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Centre

Wednesday, 01 November 2023

Edith Cowan University (ECU) is pleased to announce that Professor Tim Bentley has been appointed as the inaugural Professorial Chair in Mining Work Health and Safety.

Tim Bentley is an experienced research leader, mentor and supervisor. As former director of the New Zealand Work Research Institute, Tim is rated ‘world standard’ in his research field according to New Zealand’s Performance Based Research Fund quality assessment exercise (A ranked).

He has led many major government-funded research projects in the fields of psychosocial risk, workplace ill-treatment, employee health, safety and wellbeing. Tim’s published research is extensive and has received considerable scholarly and public attention. Further, his research on psychosocial risk and workplace ill-treatment has had high impact on government and industry stakeholders, contributing to national policy in New Zealand and best practice guidelines/industry practice in both New Zealand and Australia.

The Professorial Chair position was created as part of a recently announced multi-million-dollar partnership between ECU and the State Government. This pivotal role will bring ECU, government and industry together in a collaborative program of research, education and engagement for the mining sector.

This partnership also saw the establishment of the Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Centre based in ECU’s School of Business and Law (SBL).

Professor Bentley will direct the MARS Centre, leading a team of industry-engaged academics focused on building sector-wide capability and driving cultural change.

Professor Bentley said he was privileged to have the opportunity to lead a highly talented and motivated team.

“Our mission is to shift the dial on culture towards a mentally healthy, safe, and respectful mining sector.”

“Our research program will engage the mining sector, working with industry stakeholders in novel ways to raise sector work, health and safety capability and to identify effective solutions to drive cultural change.”

Professor Bentley noted the MARS Centre’s research would also inform a number of bespoke educational programs to be delivered out of ECU from 2024.

Sally North, Deputy WorkSafe Commissioner at the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, said “Professor Tim Bentley's appointment to the Professorial Chair in Mining Work Health and Safety represents a significant step towards building a safer and more respectful mining sector.”

"His leadership and the collaborative efforts with Edith Cowan University, government, unions and industry will undoubtedly pave the way for a positive transformation in the field of mining safety and mental health. “

"We look forward to the impactful research, teaching and cultural change that will result from this partnership." she concluded.

ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Chapman said the MARS Centre signified a meaningful collaboration between academia and industry.

“We firmly believe this initiative will not only benefit our University and the high-impact School of Business and Law, but also have a lasting impact on WA’s mining sector and its workforce.”

“I look forward to the transformative influence Tim’s leadership will have on the industry, reinforcing ECU’s position as a driving force behind positive change in our community” he concluded.

SBL Executive Dean Professor Maryam Omari also said that the appointment represented a vital step in the development of the MARS Centre and its mission.

“With Tim’s extensive experience and unwavering dedication to ensuring a safer future for WA’s mining industry, there could not be a more fitting candidate for this crucial role”.

“This appointment marks a significant milestone in the School of Business and Law’s ongoing effort to drive innovation, research and excellence, and comes at a time when the School is preparing for its much-anticipated move to the University's transformational new ECU City campus – currently under construction in the heart of Perth.”

“Indeed, the new CBD location will place the School of Business and Law and the MARS Centre at the heart of business and industry, delivering much opportunity for students and academics and a new paradigm for the higher education sector.” Professor Omari concluded.