Sir Roland Wilson Foundation

01/09/2026

Would you like to know more about how you can build genuine partnerships that centre Indigenous people’s lived experience and knowledge systems in your work in the Australian Public Service?

Join Pat Turner scholar Natalie Bryant and alumni Dr Claire Sainsbury and Dr Anthony Cowley on 22 September for an APS Academy MasterCraft series session on partnerships to Close the Gap.

https://www.apsacademy.gov.au/events/mastercraft-series-srw-scholars-partnerships-close-gap

25/08/2026

Sir Roland Wilson and Pat Turner alumni are quietly steering change in policy and programs across the Australian Public Service.

Since returning to service, Pat Turner alumnus Cris Castro has been promoted to Assistant Secretary in the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. He is responsible for driving efforts across the department to help Close the Gap. As part of this, Cris and his team have used evidence to develop guidance for staff at every level in the department to apply in their everyday work – helping everyone understand what they can do to make a difference.

Cris completed a Master of Leadership at The Australian National University ANU College of Business & Economics. He graduated in 2021.

https://srwfoundation.anu.edu.au/people/cris-castro

14/08/2026

13/08/2026

Disability advocates have fought for decades to secure meaningful government support, and Sir Roland Wilson scholar Maathu Ranjan is determined to ensure those gains endure.

A scholar from the National Disability Insurance Agency, Maathu’s PhD examines how disability supports shape long-term outcomes for people with disability and their families. She is providing some of the first causal evidence on the impact of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

“The NDIS now supports more than 760,000 Australians - many receiving personalised supports for the first time,” Maathu explains.

“My focus is on understanding what is working, for whom, and how we can ensure sustainability for generations to come.”

Find out more about Maathu’s research:

https://srwfoundation.anu.edu.au/news/exploring-better-outcomes-people-disability

Image: Adam McGrath/HCreations

06/08/2026

Sir Roland Wilson and Pat Turner PhD scholars have access to funds enabling them to travel internationally to further their research and establish connections with overseas academics and institutions.

Sir Roland Wilson scholar Sharon Rosenrauch recently made the most of visits to London, Brussels, Paris, Lyon and Florence – where she engaged with like-minded academics and presented her research at meetings and conferences.

Sharon’s PhD research at The Australian National University investigates the barriers and enablers that effect leadership advancement for Australian Public Service employees with disability.

04/08/2026

**TODAY**

Join Sir Roland Wilson and Pat Turner scholars and alumni at 11am-12pm to explore how academic theory can inform government craft.
- Understand what theory is and isn’t
- Learn when and how theory is useful in The Australian Public Service work
- See the application of theory to specific issues such as climate, resources and immigration

https://www.apsacademy.gov.au/events/mastercraft-series-srw-scholars-applying-academic-theory-realities-aps-work

30/07/2026

Join Kylie Bishop, Nikolai Drahos, Dr Cathy Fussell and Kristian Hollins next Wednesday 5 August for a special APS Academy MasterCraft event exploring how academic theory can inform government craft.

The Sir Roland Wilson and Pat Turner scholars and alumni will use real policy challenges to demonstrate how theory can be applied in ways that are useful for The Australian Public Service staff.

Find out more and register: https://www.apsacademy.gov.au/events/mastercraft-series-srw-scholars-applying-academic-theory-realities-aps-work

29/07/2026

Sir Roland Wilson and Pat Turner alumni improve outcomes for Australians through their work in The Australian Public Service.

Sir Roland Wilson alumnus Dr Siddharth Shirodkar is now Chief Economist for the Indigenous Economy at Indigenous Business Australia, where he is putting his PhD research findings into practice. Siddharth’s work supports greater First Nations economic self-determination, inclusion, and prosperity.

Siddharth’s research at Arts & Social Sciences at ANU explored pathways and barriers for Indigenous Australians starting a business. He graduated in 2021.

https://srwfoundation.anu.edu.au/people/siddharth-shirodkar

21/07/2026

15/07/2026

Public servants use frameworks and mental models every single day - they just don't always call it "theory".

Meanwhile, academia builds theory constantly, but often in ways that feel a world away from the daily realities of government work.

Join this special APS Academy MasterCraft event to bridge that gap.

Pat Turner scholar Kylie Bishop and Sir Roland Wilson scholars Nikolai Drahos and Kristian Hollins will show how theory can become a practical tool for APS staff across every portfolio. Facilitated by Sir Roland Wilson alumna Dr Cathy Fussell.

11.00am-12.00pm Wednesday 5 August 2026

https://www.apsacademy.gov.au/events/mastercraft-series-srw-scholars-applying-academic-theory-realities-aps-work