About us | Crawford School of Public Policy

About the School

The Crawford School of Public Policy at The Australian National University is Asia and the Pacific’s leading graduate public policy school. Staff and students at the School play an essential role in shaping public policy through research, education and policy engagement.

We are home to some of the region’s most important researchers and many staff are active on government committees and in key advisory roles across government, business and civil society.

We also offer graduate study programs and executive education in areas including public policy, applied economics, public administration, environmental management, and national security policy.

Leadership

Professor Janine O’Flynn is the Director of the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy, the leading Public Policy school in the region.

She is an expert in public administration and management, having advised governments around the world on issues ranging from the design of effective performance management systems through to collaborative approaches to policy design and implementation.

She is a Fellow of the US National Academy of Public Administration and the Institute of Public Administration Australia, and she sits on several advisory boards.

Janine is an award-winning researcher and educator, and is committed to better understanding how government works, and contributing to improving the outcomes of those activities.

Acknowledgement of Country from the Director

We acknowledge and celebrate the First Australians on whose traditional lands we meet, and pay our respect to the elders past and present.

Departments

Arndt-Corden Department of Economics

The Arndt-Corden Department of Economics (ACDE) works on key problems in economics. ACDE’s mission is to carry out economics research at the frontier of knowledge and educate the next generation of researchers and decision-makers.

Department of Policy and Governance

Policy and Governance department offers programs in public administration and public policy, as well as unique opportunities for students to advance their skills in applied policy research through projects and internships.

Resource Environment & Development Department

The Resources, Environment and Development Program carries out cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and teaching, focusing on social dimensions of environment and resource management in Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

Partners

The Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University collaborates with various organisations to enhance public policy research and education. Partnerships with governmental agencies, non-profits, and international institutions enable the school to address pressing social challenges and inform policy-making processes. These collaborations often involve joint research initiatives, capacity-building programs, and knowledge-sharing platforms, fostering an environment of innovation and impact. By leveraging diverse expertise, Crawford aims to influence policy at local, national, and global levels.

National Security College

The National Security College is a joint initiative of the Commonwealth Government and The Australian National University.

Australia and New Zealand School of Government

ANZSOG works with our member governments and university partners to strengthen the quality of public sector leadership in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Pacific Security College

An educational institution serving members of the Pacific Islands Forum through learning and training, policy engagement and regional collaboration.

Memberships

Crawford a proud member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA), a global network of leading graduate schools renowned for their dedication to excellence in international affairs education.

The Institute of Public Administration Australia is a member-based organisation promoting excellence and pride in public service across Australia.

Our History

The Crawford School of Public Policy, part of the Australian National University (ANU), was formally established to build on the university's long-standing tradition of research and education in public policy. It emerged from the merging of several existing programs and departments, aiming to provide a multidisciplinary approach to policy analysis and development. Named after ANU alumnus and influential public servant, the school emphasizes the importance of evidence-based policymaking and engages with pressing global issues such as governance, economics, and social policy. Over the years, the Crawford School has become a leading institution in the Asia-Pacific region, known for its research excellence and strong partnerships with government and industry.

Find out more about Sir John Crawford