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 and a world leader in shaping public policy. Through research, education, and policy engagement, staff and students at the Crawford School play a vital role in influencing public policy.

The School is home to some of the region’s most influential researchers, with many staff actively participating in government committees and holding key advisory roles across government, business, and civil society.

We also offer graduate study programs and executive education in a range of fields, including public policy, applied economics, public administration, environmental management, climate change, and national security policy.

Leadership

Professor Janine O’Flynn is the Director of the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy, one of the world's leading interdisciplinary public policy schools.

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.

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

The Department of Policy and Governance 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.

Resources, Environment and Development Department

The Resources, Environment and Development Department 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, the Crawford School 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 member governments and university partners to strengthen the quality of public sector leadership in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Pacific Security College

The Pacific Security College is an educational institution serving members of the Pacific Islands Forum through learning and training, policy engagement and regional collaboration.

Memberships

The Crawford School is 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 in 2012 to build on the university's long-standing tradition of research and education in public policy.

Beginning life in 1983 as the National Centre of Development Studies, it then attracted a number of distinguished centres and programs including the Graduate Program in Public Policy, the Resource Management in Asia and the Pacific Program and the Arndt-Corden Department of Economics, building a multidisciplinary approach to public policy.

Named after ANU alumnus and influential public servant Sir John Crawford, the Crawford School is known for its research and teaching excellence, strong partnerships, and impact on public policy around the world through these.

The Crawford School now stands amongst the best best policy schools in the world.