Dr Gerard Vaughan was appointed Director of the National Gallery of Victoria in 1999. After completing his Master’s thesis at Melbourne University on the French post-impressionist painter Maurice Denis, Gerard taught art history at Melbourne University before undertaking doctoral research at Oxford University from 1981 on aspects of neoclassical taste. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.

For fifteen years from 1983 he was the London-based adviser to the Felton Bequests' Committee. From 1989-1991, he served as Private Secretary to the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, becoming Deputy Director of Campaign for Oxford University, and in 1994 Director of the British Museum Development Trust.

Since becoming Director and CEO of the National Gallery of Victoria, he has been responsible for a redevelopment program involving two separate building complexes: The Ian Potter Centre - NGV Australia at Federation Square, and NGV International in St Kilda Road.

Dr Gerard Vaughan is responding to Edmund Capon's keynote address A people's palace for the elite.