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.

Board of Directors

Professor Kate Darian Smith

Professor Kate Darian-Smith

President
(2025-27)

Professor Richard Holden

Professor Richard Holden

Immediate Past President
(2022-2024)

Professor Stephen Taylor

Professor Stephen Taylor

Treasurer
(2024-2026)

Professor Adam Possamai

Professor Adam Possamai

International Secretary
(2025-27)

Professor Mark Western

Professor Mark Western

Chair, Policy Committee
(2025-27)

Professor Marian Baird Ao Fassa

Professor Marian Baird AO

Chair, Grants & Awards C’tee
(2026-28)

Lyn Yates 2022

Professor Lyn Yates

Chair, Education Committee
(2026-28)

Professor Felicity Meakins

Professor Felicity Meakins

Chair, Panel A
(2025-2027)

Professor Beth Webster

Professor Beth Webster

Chair, Panel B
(2025-27)

Professor Nicholas Brown

Professor Nicholas Brown

Chair, Panel C
(2024-26)

Professor Don Byrne

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