Katherine Barnes

Katherine Barnes is a Visiting Fellow at the School of Literature, Languages & Linguistics at the Australian National University (ANU), where she holds a PhD in Australian Literature. Her research focuses on Special Operations Executive activities in Nazi-occupied Greece (1942–44) and the poetry of Christopher Brennan. She has authored acclaimed works such as The Higher Self (2006), which won the Walter McRae Russell Award, and The Sabotage Diaries (2015), a biographical account of her father-in-law’s wartime experiences. Previously, she taught at UNSW@ADFA, earning a teaching excellence award in 2007. Since 2009, she has served as a Commonwealth public servant, specializing in workforce policy and future scenarios for Australia’s skills needs.

Education:

• PhD in Australian Literature, ANU

Research Interests:

• World War II military history, particularly Allied operations in Greece
• Biographical studies of Australian literary figures
• Historical archives and diaries as primary sources

Her work bridges historical scholarship and creative writing, blending academic rigor with narrative storytelling.

Awards:

• Walter McRae Russell Award (2007)
• NSW Premier’s Prize for Literary Scholarship (shortlisted, 2008)

Policy & Grants:

• Developed workforce scenarios for Australia’s future skills needs with the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency
• Contributed to policy frameworks addressing industry transformation and vocational training

Her policy work emphasizes evidence-based approaches to public sector challenges.