The Master of Public Policy Course Advisory Board (MPP Board) was established in 2025 to cultivate enduring and mutually beneficial partnerships with key industry stakeholders and policy experts to advance opportunities for Murdoch Public Policy Graduates.
The MPP Board supports this objective by providing strategic advice to enhance and promote the academic curricula and to ensure the alignment of the Master of Public Policy (MPP) with contemporary employer and public sector expectations and requirements.
The inaugural members of the MPP Board are composed of senior practitioners with distinguished careers in policy and research who have worked across different policy sectors that span local, inter-state, national and international contexts.
The inaugural chair of the MPP Course Advisory Board is Dr Susannah Nichols, a lecturer in Public Policy. Associate Professor Narelle Miragliotta, the Academic Chair of the Master of Policy, serves as its Executive Officer.
Dr Susannah Nichols
Chair of the Course Advisory Board
Dr Susannah Nichols
Chair of the Course Advisory Board
Dr Susannah Nichols is a lecturer in public policy with research interests in health policy and the Western Australian public sector. Susannah explores childhood obesity and the rules and structures that challenge policy reform, as well the function and activities of the WA public sector. Her current research includes examining the preparedness of the health sector to engage with AI, and how reforms within the public sector impacts the agency of the public service within a policy context.
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Lisa Baker
Future of Food
Lisa Baker
Future of Food
Lisa Baker is a former member of the WA Legislative Assembly (2008-2025). In parliament, Lisa was Acting Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, as well chaired several parliamentary committees. Prior to this, Lisa held various senior roles in the community service and public sectors, such as Chief Executive Officer of the WA Council of Social Services, Director of the National Native Title Tribunal, Director of the Department of Contract Management Services and Director of Ministry of Justice.
Dr Chiara De Lazzari
Research Analyst, Parliament of Victoria
Dr Chiara De Lazzari
Research Analyst, Parliament of Victoria
Dr Chiara De Lazzari is a policy analyst with extensive experience in the public and tertiary sectors. Chiara is a Research Officer for the Electoral Matters Committee at Parliament of Victoria. Before that Chiara was an Election Analysis Coordinator at the Victorian Parliamentary Budget Office and a Lecturer and Research Fellow at Monash University and the University of Melbourne. She has published extensively in public policy, migration studies and political participation.
Dr Gavin Lewis
CEO, Institute of Public Administration Australia WA
Dr Gavin Lewis
CEO, Institute of Public Administration Australia WA
Gavin Lewis is the CEO of the Institute of Public Administration Australia WA (IPAA WA). Before that Gavin was CEO of two not-for-profit organisations. Gavin is a dedicated member of a number of professional, sporting and other NFP organisations. He has received national and state recognition for his leadership, contributions to the not-for-profit sector, and volunteer efforts.
Nicole Matthews
Executive Manager of Policy, Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA)
Nicole Matthews
Executive Manager of Policy, Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA)
Nicole Matthews is Executive Manager of Policy at the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA). Nicole joined WALGA in 2017 as Policy Manager, Environment and led its COVID-19 response during the pandemic. Before that, she served in the Commonwealth Public Sector in Canberra and WA, including as Director of the WA office of the Commonwealth Department of the Environment as well as held senior roles at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Richard Miles
Director, WA Teachers Registration Board
Richard Miles
Director, WA Teachers Registration Board
Richard Miles is the Director of the WA Teachers Registration Board. Richard administers registration services to around 60,000 teachers across the public education, non‑government and early childhood sectors. Richard holds a Master of Arts (Political Science), a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Practical Legal Training and has a background in strategic policy, labour market analysis, intergovernmental relations and legislative review.
Sandra Walton Ellery
Senior Analyst and Advisor, ACAPS
Sandra Walton Ellery
Senior Analyst and Advisor, ACAPS
Sandra Walton Ellery is a Senior Analyst and Advisor at ACAPS. Sandie has 15 years plus of experience in humanitarian response and international development, including early recovery and development; needs assessments; training design and delivery; research and analysis; project design; & monitoring, evaluation and learning. She has in-country experience from Kenya, Fiji, PNG, Nepal, Ukraine, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, Ukraine and Kosovo.