Lisa Paul

Lisa Paul AO PSM is an Honorary Professor at the Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University (ANU), and has been Chancellor of the University of Canberra since January 2024. She previously served as the longest-serving Secretary of the Australian Government’s Department of Education (2004–2016), advising five Prime Ministers and nine Cabinet Ministers on higher education, science, and research policy. Post-government, she holds roles including Enterprise Professor at the University of Melbourne School of Government, Councillor of Bond University, and Director of the Future Battery Industry Cooperative Research Centre.

Her career focuses on public policy, social justice advocacy, and governance. She chairs or advises organizations such as headspace (National Youth Mental Health Foundation), the Australian Academy of Science Audit Committee, and reviews on the National Disability Insurance Scheme and education funding reforms. Lisa has been recognized with the AO and PSM for leadership in public service and disaster response, including coordinating the Commonwealth’s Bali Bombings domestic response in 2003.

Lisa is a Fellow of multiple professional bodies, including the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Institute of Public Administration Australia. Her work spans cross-sector collaborations, regional development, and initiatives like post-bushfire community recovery led by the Business Council of Australia (2020).