A school designed to shape the world's future
Welcome to the Melbourne School of Government.
Our mission is to inspire and equip governments, businesses, social partners and individuals to meet the challenges of contemporary governance. Through interdisciplinary, innovative teaching and research, we seek shared and sustainable solutions to these challenges. In our three areas of activity we aim to:
- Harness the University's diverse resources in our graduate and executive teaching to equip the current and next generation of leaders
- Facilitate research that meets the needs of governments, industry and social partners
- Be the platform for exploration, debate and innovation nationally and in our region
The Melbourne School of Government is designed to inspire and equip individuals to make a difference on a global scale. Through rigorous research, teaching and debate, we convert shared knowledge into collective wisdom influencing politics and decision-making to improve future outcomes.
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Our degrees inspire individuals to shape the future of the world, using values of truth, integrity and reason. If you want to play your part, there's no better place to start than with us at the Melbourne School of Government - hosted by an internationally renowned faculty, with a global outlook.
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The Melbourne School of Government offers internship and professional development opportunities with leading organizations nationally and internationally, which allow our graduates to apply their skills in a vocational context, build their professional networks and gain deeper insights into their chosen career.
INFORMATION SESSIONS
If you're interested in learning more about studying at the Melbourne School of Government, we invite you to attend one of our upcoming information sessions.
Learn about our information sessions
ACCESS MELBOURNE
The Melbourne School of Government is committed to extending opportunities for graduate study to under-represented groups, including Indigenous Australians, individuals from disadvantaged circumstances, and recipients of various Australia Award Scholarships provided by the Australian Government for international students.
At the Melbourne School of Government, our research examines the implications of economic, social, political and cultural trends for the content and conduct of public policy. We’re proud to offer a research program that aims to improve the design, development and impact of public policy both nationally and internationally.
Featured Research Projects
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This theme addresses three key questions: How do we design appropriate governing institutions? How do we improve policy and service effectiveness? How do we develop effective regulation?
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The research translation project at MSoG looks at ways to make research more accessible to practitioners, policy makers and the public. We are working with all three groups to understand the drivers and barriers for engaging and sharing in research activities, outcomes and impacts.
Past Research Themes and Projects
Governing Markets
This theme addresses three key questions:
- How do governments, governing institutions and private actors relate to each other, and what can and should be the roles of these actors in the governance of different markets?
- What policy instruments are available to govern the different sites and spaces of market activity (formal, informal, visible and invisible), from global to local?
- What is the efficacy and impact of these policy instruments, and how can they be measured and compared?
- Financial Regulation in Asia - A new Model for Regional Cooperation
- Price transparency in Australian Petrol Markets: An interdisciplinary study of the role of Information Technology in strengthening Market Competitiveness
- The Power of the Good Corporation: Exploring the Role of Corporate Agency in Corporate Social Responsibility in Developing Countries
- The policy aftermaths of financial crises: how much space for politics
Knowledge and expertise
This theme addresses three key questions:
- What are the emerging ideas, tools and frameworks that will shape the way in which public policy is designed and implemented in the 21st century?
- How can 'evidence' be best utilised in order to support the construction of better public policy and better institutions?
- How can innovation (methods and media) help bridge the gap between citizens and professional or technical experts?
- Defining an "Asia Capability" for Australia's Public Service
- A user-centred design approach to communicating complexity and uncertainty for the formation of infectious diseases health policy
- The Civic Impact of Journalism
- Developing a legislation testing lab that will better enable law reform to achieve its policy objectives
Governance and performance
This theme addresses three key questions:
- How do we design appropriate governing institutions?
- How do we improve policy and service effectiveness?
- How do we develop effective regulation?
- Renewing Australian Federalism
- Indigenous Nation Building: Theory; practice and its emergence in Australia's public policy discourse
- Engaging Professionals in Organisational Governance
- Developing a methodology and proposal for comparative regional research on governance and implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) health system reforms in the Asia Pacific
Security and political engagement
This theme addresses three key questions:
- How are risks created and perceived by individuals, groups and governments involved in the policy process?
- How do these impact on feelings of insecurity of the person, the group and of the State?
- What role might existing or new forms of social and political engagement at local, national and multinational levels play in enhancing security?
- A Review of Australia's Capacity for engagement in International conflict resolution including through Mediation
- Towards a Melbourne (University) Intergenerational Report
- Governing resource conflict in Bougainville
- Transnational influence on national resource governance
- The problems of campaign finance regulation
Programs
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Our Executive Education programs are designed to meet the needs of post graduate and post experience professionals across the government, business and non-profit sectors. Participants will have the opportunity to be exposed to new developments in theory and practice, develop new skills and capabilities consistent with international standards and learn from internationally-recognised experts who have practical experience and theoretical knowledge.
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Whether your organisation is in the public, private or community sector, we can work with you to address problems and develop imaginative workable solutions. We start with a learning-needs diagnosis to determine the most appropriate delivery mode and course content. Our course content is theoretically robust, and we leverage the research resources of the University of Melbourne to your organisations problems.
The Melbourne School of Government is designed to inspire and equip individuals to make a difference on a global scale. Through rigorous research, teaching and debate, we convert shared knowledge into collective wisdom influencing politics and decision-making to improve future outcomes.
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In Australia, less than one-third of all parliamentarians and one-fifth of all ministers are women. The Pathways to Politics Program for Women will address this under-representation by providing hands-on training and networking opportunities for women who aspire to elected office.
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The John Button Foundation was established in 2009 in memory of John Button, the late Industry Minister, Senator and writer. In 2016 the Foundation donated the fund to The University of Melbourne to be managed within the Melbourne School of Government.
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The Next Generation Engagement Project aims to identify and address the key challenges and knowledge gaps in engagement, social risk management and social licence for Australia’s infrastructure sector.
- Helle Thorning-Schmidt on the changing face of humanitarianism
At the Allen Hope Southey Memorial Lecture, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, CEO of Save the Children, speaks on the topic of “The changing face of humanitarianism: are non-profits …
- MSoG Director Andrew Walter on Triple R
Interim Director of Melbourne School of Government, Andrew Walter, was a recent guest on Triple R show “Uncommon Sense”. Professor Walter discusses Brexit, the triggering of …
- Election Watch Europe
The Melbourne School of Government has continued Election Watch in 2017 with coverage of the Dutch, French and German elections. Stay up to date with the …
- Dr Avery Poole awarded grant to study youth in Australia and Indonesia
Dr Avery Poole, Assistant Director, Melbourne School of Government and Dr Dafri Agussalim from Gadjah Mada University have been awarded $25,000 by the Australia-Indonesia Centre for …
- University of Melbourne launches Next Generation Engagement Project
The Melbourne School of Government is working with leading industry groups and individuals in Australia’s infrastructure sector to deliver its groundbreaking Next Generation Engagement Project. At ...
- Janine O’Flynn and team win best paper award
The American Society for Public Administration awarded a practitioner-academic team with the Louis Brownlow Award for best paper in the journal Public Administration Review. The team included: …
- Article on Innovation in the Mandarin
Dr Pradeep Philip, a member of the Melbourne School of Government Advisory Board and Principal of Ergo Consilium, and Dr Vishaal Kishore, a Professor of Innovation …
- Public Interactive Learning Lab Highlights Housing Policy
In a public discussion of the changes in housing markets and development in Melbourne suburbs, four University of Melbourne researchers Professor Piyush Tiwari, Kate Raynor, Dr …
- Paul Keating: The Big-Picture Leader in conversation with Troy Bramston
On Friday 25 November, Melbourne School of Government hosted an “In Conversation” between The Hon Paul Keating and author Troy Bramston. The conversation was wide-ranging including …
- Robyn Eckersley speaks at Annual Melbourne-LSE Lecture
London School of Economics – University of Melbourne 2016 public lecture by Prof. Robyn Eckersley, hosted by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the …
- Election Watch USA
Have you been following the U.S. Presidential Election? MSoG’s Election Watch page has been covering polls, analyising the candidates and keeping tabs on the latest campaign …
- What to expect from new UN Secretary-General
Erika Feller, Vice Chancellor’s Fellow at the Melbourne School of Government, wrote a piece for Inside Story about the new United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.
- The Inside Story on the Australian Federal Election
On Wednesday 29 June we held a “political insiders” panel discussion. Watch the video here: Australia finds itself at a crossroads, with huge decisions awaiting the …
- Australian Federal Election Live Blog
On 2-3 June, Election Watch ran a live blog with University of Melbourne experts. We included analysis of 10 key seats, the policy challenges for the …
- Dr. Robin Niblett considers the future for the EU
The EU is experiencing perhaps its most fraught period since being created in 1957. How does the situation look in a historical context and what are …
- Roundtable with David Stuckler
On the 17th of February, Melbourne School of Government hosted a Boardroom roundtable with Professor David Stuckler. Professor Stuckler’s most recent book, The Body Economic puts forward a …
- 2015 Hamer oration: What sort of country are we?
At the 2015 Hamer Oration, Julian Burnside AO QC explored how Australia’s treatment of boat people may have redefined our national character. The Oration was chaired …
- Democracy in Transition
In December, Melbourne School of Government undertook it’s largest endeavor to date: a practioner conference with international high-ranking officials and academics on the topic of “democracy …
- Professor Andrew Walter in the new thinking and the new G20 series
The New Thinking and the New G20 Series, sponsored by CIGI and the Institute for New Economic Thinking, aims to promote policy and institutional innovation in global economic …
- Gerry Simpson Speaks about Crimes Against Humanity at Melbourne-LSE Lecture
In this lecture Gerry Simpson engages in a critical stocktaking of this century of retributive humanitarianism. Gerry Simpson holds the Kenneth Bailey Chair of Law at …
- Melbourne School of Government at the 2015 public sector week and project appraisal journal for 2014
This year IPAA Victoria ran its first public sector week from 22-26 June, a series of events hosted by a range of public, private and not …
- Associate Professor Helen Dickinson awarded fellowship of IPAA victoria
Associate Professor Helen Dickinson was inducted as a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (Victoria) at the annual Fellows Dinner in Melbourne on February …
- Dr Sara Bice awarded best paper for impact assessment and project appraisal journal for 2014
Dr Sara Bice, MSoG, and Dr Kieren Moffat, CSIRO, have recently been awarded ‘Best Paper’ for Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal journal for 2014. The award was given …
- The social innovation capacity of cities: workshop at MSoG on 9 february 2015
Prof Jenny Lewis (Melbourne School of Government) and Prof Erik-Hans Klijn, visiting from Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands, discussed the findings of a large EU-funded …
- Official Launch of Doctoral Academy
Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner Dr Soutphommasane officially launched the new Melbourne School of Government Doctoral Academy at a gala event on Friday 21 November. Dr Tim …
- Professor Helen Sullivan awarded fellowship of IPAA victoria
Director of the Melbourne School of Government, Professor Helen Sullivan, has been made a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA). The fellowship acknowledged Helen’s role …
- Honourable Mention Award from the International Political Economy Society Annual Conference
The paper by Jeffrey Chwieroth (LSE), Andrew Walter (Melbourne School of Government), and Cohen Simpson (LSE), How do Networks Matter in Sovereign Default?: Public Debt and Political …
- Capitalism, socialism and democracy in the twenty first century: public seminar
Presented by: Professor Ross Garnaut AO, Professorial Research Fellow in Economics. Held on Wednesday 12th November 2014 at the University of Melbourne Download the transcript of …
- Australian Fulbright association event: a re-imagined future: Indigenous nations within the nation state.
Professorial Fellow at the Melbourne School of Government Miriam Jorgensen took part in an expert panel discussion on 26 November 2014, hosted by the Australian Fulbright …
- Imagining the 21st century public service workforce: public seminar
Featuring: Gus O’Donnell, Chairman of Frontier Economics Europe and former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the British Civil Service. Held on Thursday 13th November 2014, Yarra …
- Refugees: a new era of forced displacement
On Monday 8 September 2014, the Melbourne School of Government and Melbourne Law School hosted a discussion of the current global displacement situation, the changing humanitarian …
- G20 2014: how will it affect Australia?
In the lead up to the G20 Summit in Brisbane in November, the Melbourne School of Government is hosting a number of G20 related activities. On …
- The John Button Lecture 2014: David Marr
The John Button Lecture is an annual lecture given by the winner of the John Button Prize for writing on policy and politics in Australia. The …
- Professor Helen Sullivan delivers keynote address at policy and politics conference, bristol, uk .
Professor Helen Sullivan delivered a keynote address at this year’s Policy and Politics Conference, Bristol, UK (16-17th Sept). Helen spoke on the theme of Collaboration as …
- G20 Watch
The G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation and decision-making. The world’s most powerful leaders attend: 19 countries and the EU. This year Australia …
- LSE-University of Melbourne public lecture
On Thursday 9 October, the University of Melbourne’s Professor Garnaut will present a lecture at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) on where …
- New home for the Australian journal of Public Administration
Journal to be housed in the Melbourne School of Government from 2015 The Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) has announced the Australian Journal of Public …
- Dr Mark Triffitt in the Australian book review
Dr Mark Triffitt, lecturer in public policy at MSoG, has written the lead article in this month’s edition of the Australian Book Review – a review of French …
- Melbourne School of Government academics among 2013’s most cited
Professor Helen Sullivan and Professor Jenny Lewis are both among the 10 most cited authors for 2013 in the highly ranked journal Policy & Politics. Their two …
- International funding success researching governance under austerity
Professor Helen Sullivan, Melbourne School of Government Director, is part of an international team that has won funding from the UK Economic and Social Research Council …
- Valuing the future
On Monday 26th May 2014 the Melbourne School of Government in conjunction with the Melbourne Sustainability Society Institute and the Centre for Policy Development hosted a …
- 2014 Hamer oration: John Brumby, a federation for the future
On Monday 19th May 2014 the Hon John Brumby, former Premier of Victoria, presented the 2014 Hamer Oration on a ‘Federation for the Future’. The Hon …
- Interview: does it pay to obey?
On Friday 23rd May 2014 Political economist and Professor of International Relations Andrew Walter spoke with Up Close‘s Lynne Haultain about approaches to financial regulation in the …
- Many Languages, One World global youth forum
Melbourne School of Government student Holly Taylor has recently returned from New York where she participated in the “Many Languages, One World” Global Youth Forum at …
- An assessment of the budget
On Wednesday 14th March 2014 Professor John Quiggin, an Australian Laureate Fellow in Economics at the University of Queensland, presented a well-attended seminar on the ‘Assessment …
- Professor Janine O’Flynn wins prestigious award
We are delighted to announce that Professor Janine O’Flynn has been awarded the 2014 ‘Best Book of the Year’ award, by the US Academy of Management …
- China’s use of its growing power
On Wednesday 30th April 2014 Professor CHEN Zhimin, Dean of the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University, China, presented a seminar to over …
- Public policy student sings praises of exchange
Nicole Battle is a social planner for local government in Melbourne and a student in the Melbourne School of Government’s Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM). She …
- 2014 Lunchtime Seminar Series
Tuesday 23rd September 2014 Controversy and Collaboration: Some Thoughts on the Predicament of Public Policy Associate Professor Vishaal Kishore Dr Kishore is Director of the Office …
- Public policy in the Asian Century: conference highlights
Our inaugural conference held on 9-10 December 2013 examining the implications of the ‘Asian Century’ for public policy was attended by more than 150 delegates from …
- INNOVATION OF THE YEAR: VOTE COMPASS
The 2013 Crikey Media Awards were held on 19 December and Vote Compass won the prize for Innovation of the Year. Crikey describedVote Compass as a “major initiative that allowed …
- Congratulations! Melbourne School of Government Professor wins Award
Last night, 27 November, the Melbourne School of Government’s Professor Janine O’Flynn, was among a number of distinguished contributors to Australian public service to be honoured …
- Melbourne School of Government International Launch
On 23 September 2013, Melbourne School of Government Director Helen Sullivan and Melbourne University Vice Chancellor Professor Glyn Davies together launched the School internationally at a …
- Election Watch: Media Puzzle
On 22 August, Election Watch, the Melbourne School of Government and the Melbourne Press Club hosted a discussion with prominent Australian journalists and media academics on …
- Nudge Nudge Think Think
Professor Peter John of University College London’s Department of Political Science shares his reflections on a recent visit to Australia, during which he gave a lecture …
- Q&A: Who makes public policy in Australia?
On 14 August 2013, 400 guests attended an interactive discussion exploring the question Who makes public policy in Australia?. Hosted in partnership with the Institute of Public …
- My Time in the White House: Dr Shelley Metzenbaum
On 12 August 2013 Dr Shelley Metzenbaum spoke to approximately 100 guests, at an event co-hosted in partnership by the Melbourne School of Government and ANZSOG. …
- Vote Compass
Vote Compass, an interactive electoral literacy tool which was launched shortly after the election was called. It is being used for the first time in Australia …
- Directions in US corporate and International Tax Reform
On 25 July 2013 Melbourne Law School and the Melbourne School of Government hosted a lecture by Dr Eric Toder, Co-director, Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Centre. He …
- Election Watch
Election Watch is an initiative of the University of Melbourne. Its aim is simple: to go beyond the rhetoric and encourage Australians to engage with issues that …
- Australia and the West in a new Asian order?
An Inaugural University of Melbourne and London School of Economics and Political Science Lecture, by Professor Michael Cox. If you missed the lecture, you can watch …
- Melbourne School of Government launches ambition for better policy
On 18 June 2013, the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Business & Economics and Melbourne Law School at the University came together to …
- Melbourne School of Government researchers win prestigious international award
Professor Mark Considine, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and Professor Jenny Lewis, Melbourne School of Government, have become the first Australians to win one of …