What Next for Public Innovation? with Geoff Mulgan

Governments face fiscal constraints, constant reform cycles, and disruptive technologies reshaping a public sector seeking to lift trust and resilience at the heart of social cohesion.   

The challenge is to embed innovation in leadership and resilient institutions that can adapt, endure, and embed innovation as a routine capability. But what have we learned over the past 30 years of public innovation strategies, methods and tools?  What have they delivered and where have they failed? And what are the big innovation imperatives now for government and public policy? 

In this public lecture, convened by ANZSOG and the Sydney Policy Lab, Sydney University, Sir Geoff Mulgan CBE will draw on his forthcoming book (July 2026) examining the recent history of public innovation to tackle these and other questions and their implications for public leadership.  

Join Sir Geoff, one of the original architects and a leading practitioner of public innovation, to explore the next era of public governance.  Sir Geoff will look at: 

• The future of innovation: How do we make it “boring” and not exceptional? 
• Institutional reinvention: Designing institutions and systems that can adapt and endure. 
• AI and leadership: Navigating new opportunities and risks and opportunities for governing and public policy 

In partnership with Sydney Policy Lab, Sydney University.

This event connects global trends to practical implications for public leaders in Australia: 

• Community resilience and social cohesion: How can innovation strengthen trust and legitimacy? 
• Workforce resilience: How do we equip teams to adapt and thrive under constant change? 
• AI and leadership: How do we govern emerging technologies responsibly? 

• Clarify emerging trends shaping public governance and their implications.  
• Learn strategies to lead institutional change under fiscal and reform pressures.  
• Understand practical AI governance for the public sector. 

Big global trends, current and emerging, will connect to practical implications for Australian public leaders, for government, for the economy and society.  

• Wednesday, 25 February 2026 12:00pm – 1:30pm (light catering provided)
• The Assembly, Angel Place, 123 Pitt Street, Sydney  

This upcoming Thought Leadership session is being hosted in Sydney, but the insights won’t stop there. ANZSOG and Sydney Policy Lab will share key takeaways post-event.  

ANZSOG is committed to bringing Thought Leadership events to every jurisdiction in 2026. If you would like to partner with ANZSOG on an event – or if you have ideas for themes and topics that matter most to your agency – we’d love to hear from you.  

Register your interest and share your suggestions today.