Deirdre Howard-Wagner

Deirdre Howard-Wagner is a Senior Fellow and Research Director at the Centre for Indigenous Policy Research, Australian National University (ANU). Her work focuses on Indigenous policy, urban Indigenous development, and governance within neoliberal frameworks. She holds a PhD and has contributed to over 75 research outputs, including books and peer-reviewed articles.

Her research examines structural challenges in Indigenous policymaking, emphasizing urban First Nations-led governance and community organizations. She has led four major grants, including DP180103453 and DE120100798, and co-authored influential works like *Indigenous Invisibility in the City* (2021). She previously served as President of the Law and Society Association ANZ and Co-Chief Editor of the Australian Journal of Social Issues.

Key research interests include Indigenous invisibility in urban contexts, poverty governance, and innovative justice frameworks. Her work partners directly with First Nations communities to ensure their voices shape policy and practice.

Notable projects include evaluations of the OCHRE Local Decision Making initiative and the Closing the Gap strategy. Her grants and collaborations highlight her commitment to impactful, community-driven research.