
Leading Innovation in the Public Sector: A Public Leadership Masterclass Series
Begin your exploration of innovation-led public leadership
Price
Early Bird: $1,204.50 | Full price: $1,545.50 | Group discount for 5 or more: $1,083.50 (all prices include GST)
Location
Online
Duration
5x 2hr masterclasses
Dates
19 June, 25 June, 2 July, 9 July, 16 July 2025
Overview
Read more from Dr Emma Blomkamp – who trains, coaches and mentors people in co-design for public and social innovation with the ‘Four principles for using co-design in the public sector’.
This masterclass series inspires public leaders to explore strategic vision, practical approaches, and innovation mindsets that can transform how they address complex challenges and create lasting impact in service to the public good.
Based on Nesta’s internationally recognised framework for public sector innovation, this series blends innovative theory with practical leadership applications and is designed to spark curiosity, challenge conventional thinking, and inspire you to continue your learning journey.
Join other forward-thinking public sector leaders as we discover how innovative mindsets can refresh and reinvigorate public leadership for the challenges ahead.
Program details
In this session, you will be invited to think more deeply about what the word innovation means and asks of you as a leader in the public service. Applying a systems thinking lens, the session will explore shifts required at different levels of the system to enable a truly innovative approach to driving change in teams, Departments, and the public sector more broadly.
Participants will:
- Reflect on the value of different types of change – “iteration”, “innovation” and “transformation” – and when to use which approach
- Apply a systems thinking lens to the challenges they’re facing as public sector leaders
- Identify key barriers to innovation and opportunities to address these
Date: Thursday, 19 June 2025
In this session, you will explore the practical realities of co-design in public sector settings, moving beyond theoretical discussions to understand how leaders can create genuine conditions for collaboration. Dr Emma Blomkamp will guide you through both conceptual frameworks and real-world applications that bridge the gap between aspiration and implementation in public policy design and service delivery.
Participants will:
- Learn how to navigate the Shades of Co-Design, to determine appropriate levels of co-creation for different contexts and constraints
- Apply the Principles of Co-Design, to identify practical strategies for including marginalised voices, embracing diversity, and breaking down silos, to foster meaningful community engagement and partnerships
Use the Co-Design Maturity Model, to reflect on individual capabilities, team practices and organisational conditions necessary for authentic collaboration.
Date: Wednesday, 25 June 2025
In this session, you will be invited to think deeply about the daily habits and behaviours that are needed to unlock real innovation in your team and organisation. The ways of working that have been effective for the public sector in the past may no longer be those that can help us design solutions for the future. Offering tools and frameworks that you can apply in your very next meeting, the session will focus on practical steps you and your colleagues can take to navigate endless change in an increasingly complex world.
Participants will:
- Reflect on the common habits and behaviours that may be hindering innovation in their organisations.
- Explore case studies of organisations that have successfully adopted new habits to develop solutions in uncertain and resource-constrained environments.
- Discuss practical steps they can take in their very next meeting to nurture innovation.
Date: Wednesday, 2 July 2025
In this session, you will be introduced to practical strategies for building and nurturing high-performing innovation teams in the public sector. Drawing on the NESTA Innovation Skills Framework, the session will help you assess your team’s current capabilities and identify opportunities to strengthen your collective innovation potential.
Participants will:
- Learn about the NESTA Innovation Skills Framework and how it applies to public sector teams
- Assess their team’s current innovation strengths and gaps using a structured approach
- Explore strategies for building diverse, balanced teams with the right mix of skills, mindsets, and roles to drive innovation effectively
Date: Wednesday, 16 July 2025
Key leadership outcomes
This masterclass series will inspire public sector leaders to:
- Identify initial opportunities to apply innovation concepts within their own leadership context
- Discover the potential of systems thinking to transform how they approach complex public challenges
- Recognize the essential ingredients for building teams that thrive on innovation and creative problem-solving
- Reflect on the ethical dimensions of their leadership and how they can center diverse perspectives
- Connect with a community of like-minded public leaders interested in innovative approaches
- Feel motivated and equipped to take first steps toward more innovative approaches in their organisations
Who should attend?
- Senior public servants in leadership positions
- Policy leaders responsible for complex program implementation
- Department and team leaders wanting to foster innovative cultures and practices
- Department and team leaders navigating institutional transformation
- Public sector leaders looking to enhance their innovation leadership capabilities.
Background on the series
Public leaders have always needed to think creatively to solve complex problems and deliver public value to their communities. Now, in a global environment of increasing economic and political uncertainty, it is even more important for you as an emerging public leader to have the knowledge, creativity and confidence required to provide informed and timely advice, and lead others through change.
ANZSOG’s Public Leadership Masterclass series (PLM) are designed to re-energise and educate hard-working and passionate emerging and current leaders and expose them to fresh ideas.
The format of the PLM series has changed this year to better facilitate peer-to-peer learning and cross-jurisdictional connection. Each masterclass series features 5 masterclasses that speak to an overarching theme and are structured to allow for ample reflection and discussion with your counterparts from across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Unable to make every class in the schedule?
Each masterclass will be recorded and made available to participants for three months after the masterclass is scheduled.
Why should I choose a Public Leadership Masterclass series?
In this series, you will:
- Explore core leadership values critical for today’s public sector environment.
- Engage with expert faculty members and gain practical insights tailored to public leadership.
- Build a toolkit to strengthen your leadership impact and navigate complex public challenges with clarity.
- Connect with peers across Australia and Aotearoa NZ to share experiences, challenges, and solutions.
Format
Each 2-hour session in this masterclass series combines inspiring content with interactive discussions and reflection opportunities. They offer thought-provoking concepts, illustrative case studies, and stimulating peer conversations that spark interest in innovative approaches. Participants will be introduced to key ideas and frameworks while connecting with fellow leaders in a supportive environment designed to ignite curiosity and motivation for continued learning and application.
Date, time, location
All sessions will be held online at 12:00 PM AEST | 10:00 AM AWST | 2:00 PM NZST
- Session 1: Thursday, 19 June 2025
- Session 2: Wednesday, 25 June 2025
- Session 3: Wednesday, 2 July 2025
- Session 4: Wednesday, 9 July 2025
- Session 5: Wednesday, 16 July 2025
Time zones: AEST (Sydney/Melbourne), AWST (Perth), NZST (New Zealand)
Fee
Early Bird: $1,204.50pp (incl. GST)
Full price: $1,545.50pp (incl. GST)
Group discount for 5 or more: $1,083.50pp (incl. GST)
More information
Created by and for the governments of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, ANZSOG creates and delivers education programs tailored to meet the needs of public sector leaders who are currently facing distinct challenges. Our programs are designed with significant government input, for government, and led by renowned academics and respected practitioners. For more information contact engage@anzsog.edu.au.