Stott Despoja returns to Adelaide Uni

RETIRING Democrats senator Natasha Stott Despoja will become a visiting research fellow at her alma mater, the University of Adelaide.

NATASHA Stott Despoja may be leaving federal parliament behind, but she can't seem to shake politics.

It was announced today that the South Australian senator has accepted the position of visiting research fellow at her alma mater, the University of Adelaide, where she will conduct research into politics.

The honorary position will also include engaging with students and staff.

“It will enable me to maintain my connections with the university and do work - writing papers, publishing articles, perhaps giving occasional seminars or lectures,” Senator Stott Despoja said of her appointment.

“I think it's very flexible, dovetailing with the kind of work I would normally do: writing about politics and policy.”

Senator Stott Despoja said those areas included Australian politics, women's policy and science and bioscience regulation.

“I hope my policy and political experience of almost 13 years in parliament can be put to some use.”

A former leader of the Australian Democrats, Senator Stott Despoja graduated from the university in 1991 with a bachelor of arts degree.

“Throughout her career, Senator Stott Despoja has made an outstanding contribution to Australian politics and education,” the university's vice-chancellor and president, James McWha, said.

“We are very excited about her involvement in politics at the University of Adelaide,” Professor McWha said.

Senator Despoja was 26 when she was elected and the youngest women ever to enter federal parliament. She led the Australian Democrats from 2001-2002.

Her Senate term expires at the end of June.