Nareen Young

Professor Nareen Young is the Associate Dean (Indigenous Leadership and Engagement) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), holding a dual appointment as Industry Professor in Indigenous Policy at the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research. Her work focuses on workplace diversity, Indigenous policy reform, and employment equity. She leads the Indigenous People and Work Research and Practice Hub, a pioneering initiative addressing systemic barriers faced by Indigenous Australians in the workforce.

Education & Professional Background: Nareen’s career spans over three decades in trade union leadership, diversity advocacy, and policy development. She previously directed the Diversity Council Australia (2007–2014) and the NSW Working Women’s Centre (1998–2005), transforming these into influential bodies for workplace equity. Her academic roles include Director at PwC Indigenous Consulting (2014–2018).

Research Interests: Professor Young’s research emphasizes Indigenous leadership, cultural capability in workplaces, and policy-driven solutions to close employment gaps. She employs innovative methodologies such as yarning circles to center Indigenous voices in labor studies. Her work intersects law, public health, and community development to advance social justice.

Grants & Collaborations: Recent projects include studies on driver licensing programs’ impact on Indigenous employment (National Indigenous Australians Agency), improving Indigenous student success in UTS (UTS Social Impact Grant), and cultural capability guides for public services. She collaborates with organizations like Airservices Australia and Microsoft on inclusive workforce initiatives.

Awards & Recognition: Recipient of the AFR 100 Women of Influence (2012), nominated for the Australian Human Rights Medal, and recognized as one of Australia’s most influential female voices in public discourse on diversity. She contributes to media and policy debates on Indigenous rights and workplace equity.

Leadership & Governance: Nareen sits on boards of Souths Cares, BlakDance, Diversity Arts Australia, and the Indigenous Advisory Group of National Australia Bank. She advises the National Indigenous Australians Agency’s Academic Reference Group and chairs the Gari Yala Truth-Telling Project.