MPhil student receives French award

Master of Philosophy student Denise Fisher was recently awarded the "Ordre national du Mérite" by the French Ambassador to Australia Michel Filhol.  The ceremony took place at the French Embassy on Wednesday 6 August.  The award recognises Ms Fisher's work on France in the Pacific. 

Before commencing her M.Phil, Denise Fisher was a career diplomt and her research has reflected these interests.  As a result of her work as an HDR student in the College of Arts and Social Sciences, she has given many media interviews and written a number of articles. 

In March, Denise gave the annual Fonds Pacifique Lecture entitled "France and the South Pacifci".  This lecture coincided with ANU establishing links with the Ecole Des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Socials in France, notably for research on the Pacific.

The award was created in 1963 by the then French President Charles De Gaulle and is designed to honour both French and international citizens for distinguished civil or military achievements.  This honour is just one step under the Legion of Honour and represents a fantastic achievement.