Professor Antony Kidman AM
1938-2014
Professor Antony (Tony) Kidman was a man of grand passions: war historian, scientist, avid follower of political life, singer, lover of performing arts and fitness enthusiast. Above all, Prof. Kidman was a devoted family man. He was a visionary leader, driven to help others.
Beginning his science career in the late 1950s, Prof. Kidman and his family moved to the United States in the early 60s. In 1972, he returned to Australia and joined the academic staff at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) where he remained for the next 43 years until his untimely death in 2014. In the mid-1980s, Prof. Kidman became intrigued by the work of Professors Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck in the US, the pioneers of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). He decided to pursue a new career as a clinical psychologist and was instrumental in bringing CBT to Australia.
In 1985, Prof. Kidman established what was to be his great legacy, the Health Psychology Unit at UTS. The Unit was initially focused on the biological and psychological aspects of cancer.
In the early 2000s, as the importance of early intervention in mental illness came to light, Prof. Kidman shifted the focus of the Unit to the mental health of young people. He undertook research and developed evidence-based clinical programs addressing mental health concerns in this population, a focus he maintained for the rest of his life.
In 2005, Prof. Kidman was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his contribution to clinical psychology. His academic achievements include 154 journal articles and nine books, as well as regular presentations at conferences internationally. He was an early advocate of the self-help movement, translating psychological science into accessible books for the community.
In 2018, the Health Psychology Unit was renamed in his honour as The Kidman Centre, UTS in 2018. This event was celebrated at a ceremony at which former Prime Minister Julia Gillard was the key speaker.
