Sir Roland Wilson and Pat Turner scholars came together for the 2024 Scholar Symposium at The Australian National University (ANU) this week.

The annual two-day event explored the diverse attributes required for successful leadership in a modern Australian Public Service (APS).

In a keynote address to the symposium, Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister Cabinet Professor Glyn Davis AC shared his perspectives on leadership, noting that it often takes different forms.

“Leadership is about context. It is about time and place,” Professor Davis said.

“Sir Roland Wilson and Pat Turner scholarship programs connect knowledge with policy. That is leadership.

“Leadership is the way Sir Roland Wilson and Pat Turner scholars change policy conversations – through your contribution of evidence and expertise."

Professor Davis encouraged scholars to make the most of their time on scholarship to build and maintain strong connections between academia and public policy.

“What really matters is the contribution you make now, your research and what you are taking back to the public service.”

At the symposium, scholars also heard from ANU Vice-President (First Nations) Professor Peter Yu AM on opportunities for the economic empowerment of First Nations peoples. Scholars received an update on integrity in the APS and shaping policy to improve the lives of people with disability.

To close a fascinating symposium, Australian Public Service Commissioner Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, Secretary of the Department of Finance Jenny Wilkinson PSM and Director of the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy Professor Janine O’Flynn discussed modern APS leadership – providing an overview of the challenges and opportunities facing the service.

The Sir Roland Wilson scholarship is a three-year full-pay scholarship for PhD research at ANU for high performing EL1 and EL2 APS employees.

The Sir Roland Wilson Scholarship Pat Turner scholarship is a one-to-three-year, full pay scholarship for any level of postgraduate study at ANU or Charles Darwin University for high performing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander APS 4 to SES Band 1 APS employees.

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Image: Adam McGrath/HCreations