ANZSOG is pleased to announce that University of Melbourne Associate Professor Paul Fawcett will join ANZSOG on 20 January as Deputy Dean, Academic.
Associate Professor Fawcett is a political scientist by training and a recognised expert in the fields of governance, public administration and public policy with a specific focus on collaborative governance.
Dean and CEO Professor Caron Beaton-Wells has highlighted that ANZSOG’s new Deputy Dean, Academic will brings not only a deep knowledge of the political and policy context, but also strong academic and public sector connections to his role.
“I am excited to announce Paul’s appointment. As well as his impressive research and teaching experience – including work with our flagship Executive Masters in Public Administration program – he has regularly worked with public servants and other key stakeholders on critical governance problems.”
A/Prof Fawcett will lead a re-shaped ANZSOG Academic Group, consisting of three portfolios led by existing ANZSOG staff:
- Education led by our Academic Director, EMPA, Professor Christopher Walker, with responsibility for our accredited education programs.
- Research led by Dr Patrick Brownlee, in the role of Director, Research & Knowledge Translation, with responsibility for our research model and research translation activities.
- Global Engagement led by Dr Anneke Schmider in the new role of Director, Global Engagement, with responsibility for ANZSOG’s international activities.
“It’s an exciting time for ANZSOG with a range of activities across these portfolios planned for 2025 and beyond as part of our ANZSOG 2030 Strategy,” Professor Beaton-Wells said.
“We look forward to Paul’s leadership on these important projects, as we work with our partner governments and universities to create public governance that people trust, across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Indo-Pacific region.”
A/Prof Fawcett said he was delighted to be joining ANZSOG, working to strengthen and extend its long history of rich academic engagement.
“ANZSOG is an important link between the worlds of academia and practice, and its work has given thousands of public servants deeper insights into their work and the context in which they are operating,” he said.
“I am looking forward to expanding ANZSOG’s work across education, research and global engagement, further strengthening the link with our university partners, and ensuring that we continue to deliver what governments need, both in these uncertain times and for the future.”
A/Prof Fawcett has strong existing links with ANZSOG, having been the University of Melbourne’s representative on the Executive Master of Public Administration’s Academic Advisory Council and serving as an EMPA Work Based Project advisor.
He has been Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Melbourne since 2019, and is the former Head of the Political Science Discipline, which houses the Public Policy program, and a former Director of the University’s Master of Public Policy and Management.
He is a co-editor of the Australian Journal of Public Administration (AJPA) and Company Secretary (former Treasurer) of the Australian Political Studies Association.
Professor Beaton-Wells thanked Professor Catherine Althaus, who is stepping down as current Deputy Dean, Teaching and Learning but will remain involved with ANZSOG programs, and current Deputy Dean Research, Professor Ariadne Vromen, who will take up a new role as Head of Division for Political and International Studies at the University of Glasgow in February 2025, for their significant contributions in leading ANZSOG’s academic and research activities.