Governance
The Academy is a not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee and a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. It is governed by an elected President and Board responsible for strategy and direction, and its National Office is led by a CEO responsible for day-to-day management.
Sub-Committees of the Board include the Finance Committee, the Membership Committee, the Policy Committee, the International Committee, the Education Committee and the Grants & Awards Committee.
The President serves a three-year term with an additional year as President-Elect and two-years as Immediate Past-President.
- Read more about current President Professor Kate Darian-Smith and previous presidents of the Academy here.
Useful Links
Board of Directors

Professor Kate Darian-Smith
President
(2025-27)

Professor Richard Holden
Immediate Past President
(2022-2024)

Professor Stephen Taylor
Treasurer
(2024-2026)

Professor Adam Possamai
International Secretary
(2025-27)

Professor Mark Western
Chair, Policy Committee
(2025-27)

Professor Marian Baird AO
Chair, Grants & Awards Câtee
(2026-28)

Professor Lyn Yates
Chair, Education Committee
(2026-28)

Professor Felicity Meakins
Chair, Panel A
(2025-2027)

Professor Beth Webster
Chair, Panel B
(2025-27)

Professor Nicholas Brown
Chair, Panel C
(2024-26)

Professor Don Byrne
Chair, Panel D
(2021-2026)
Purpose and Principles
Our Purpose:
To recognise and champion excellence in social science.
Our Principles:
- Excellence
- Independence
- Integrity
- Acknowledgment and Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians