Belle Alderman was Professor and Head of the School of Information Management and Tourism at the University of Canberra. She was the first Professor of Children's Literature in Australia. Alderman has also been Collections Development Manager of the Lu Rees Archives which is housed at the University of Canberra. She has a long interest in children's writing and has compiled a guide to the Lu Rees collection. Alderman has worked with five different publishers of children's books in Australia and America, has reviewed children's books on radio and in print, and organised annual conferences on children's literature since 1981.
Along with a university teaching award in 2000, Alderman was awarded the Nan Chauncy Award, presented by the Children's Book Council of Australia for 'outstanding contribution to Australian children's literature'. In 1996, she was awarded the Dromkeen Medal, presented by the Governors of the Courtney Oldmeadow Children's Literature Foundation for 'recent work that makes a significant contribution to the appreciation and development of children's literature'.
Following her retirement from the University of Canberra in 2005, Alderman continued her work with the Lu Rees Archives and led a team of educators looking at multi-media education assessment.
Professor Alderman is a member of AustLit's Advisory Board.
