Noel Preston


Noel Preston is an ethicist, theologian and social commentator and is Adjunct Professor in the Key Centre for Ethics, Law Justice and Governance, Griffith University.

Career

Preston’s undergraduate studies included a major in Political Science. His thesis for doctoral studies was: "A Christian ethical analysis of Australia’s policies of Immigration Restriction and Development Partnership." In various roles his focus has continued to be on ethics, politics and spirituality.
From 1987-2001 he held senior academic positions at Queensland University of Technology in Applied and Professional ethics. From 2002-2017 he was an adjunct Professor at Griffith University in the Key Centre for Ethics, Law, Justice and Governance.
Preston was President of the Australian Association of Professional Ethics.
In 2004 he was appointed Member of the Order of Australia "for service to the community by raising public awareness of issues involving public sector ethics and governance, as an advocate for accountability and reforms, and as an academic and researcher in the field".
During his academic career he was a regular public commentator on public sector ethics, particularly in Queensland during the decade following the Fitzgerald Commission into corruption in the Queensland Government.
Among twelve books he has sole or co-authored and edited, his textbook Understanding Ethics was reissued in a revised fourth edition in 2014. In 2006, he published a memoir/social history: Beyond the Boundary: a memoir exploring ethics, politics and spirituality..
In retirement Preston is particularly researching eco-theology, eco-spirituality and global ethics. His most recent book, Ethics with or without God explores these themes. Its cover explains:
"Preston owns `the Jesus story` as central to his life. Nonetheless, while valuing the Judaeo-Christian heritage, he rejects traditional theism and challenges claims about the uniqueness of Christian Ethics. More broadly, this book is for all those who quest for the common good, and who accept the need to recover and discover a spirituality that supports us in meeting contemporary, personal and social ethical challenges, regardless of religious allegiance.”
Noel Preston was ordained as a Methodist minister in October 1967. He remains a minister of the Uniting Church in Australia. He has served in various social justice portfolios including inaugural Convenor of the Uniting Church’s Commission on Social Responsibility ; Queensland Director of the ecumenical movement Action for World Development ; Executive Officer of the Victorian Uniting Church Synod Division of Social Justice.
Across his career he has initiated many social action groups.
Noel Preston has also served on several government committees:
Cert. Teach
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Divinity, University of Queensland.
Doctor of Theology Boston University School of Theology, USA
Master of Education University of New England.

Personal life

Noel Preston was born in Mareeba, Australia on 15 December 1941. He is father of Lisa, Kim and Christopher, and grandfather of three grand-daughters and three grand-sons. He is married to Olga Harris.

Major publications