The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia has appointed experienced leader, policy strategist and organisational anthropologist Dr Jodie Trembath as its next Chief Executive Officer. Dr Trembath will commence in the role on 9 September.
Dr Trembath joins the Academy from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), where she served as Director of Skills, Employment and Small Business. Leading a broad national portfolio spanning workforce policy, skills and training, higher education, migration, employment services and small business, she was also a member of the Jobs and Skills Australian Ministerial Advisory Board, the Manufacturing Skills Australia Board, and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations Strategic Industry Advisory Board.
Prior to ACCI, Dr Trembath was Director of Academic Policy at Universities Australia, where she represented Australia’s universities on major national policy and reform agendas. Earlier, she was the inaugural Research Director for A New Approach, a policy and advocacy initiative incubated by the Australian Academy of the Humanities, leading research on Australia’s cultural and creative economy.
Academy President Professor Kate Darian-Smith said Dr Trembath’s appointment followed a highly competitive recruitment process and reflected her impressive combination of leadership, policy expertise and commitment to the value of research and expertise in public life.
“Jodie brings exceptional experience, deep networks and a proven ability to translate evidence into practical policy outcomes,” Professor Darian-Smith said.
“Throughout her career she has worked across government, business and higher education, building consensus around complex issues and helping shape national reform agendas.
“The Board and interview panel were particularly impressed by her energy, enthusiasm and ideas for strengthening the Academy’s role in public debate and positioning social science at the centre of policy, government, industry and community conversations.”
Dr Trembath said she was honoured to join the Academy at a time when social science expertise is increasingly important to addressing Australia’s most pressing challenges.
“I am very excited to work with the Academy’s Fellows, staff and partners to continue building connections between social science research, policy and practice, ensuring Australia’s extraordinary social science expertise informs better decisions and helps tackle our most pressing challenges,” Dr Trembath said.