Professor Hurriyet Babacan has a distinguished career over the last 25 years with a proven track record of achievement in senior leadership and strategic management roles. She has a distinguished record in scholarship in research, teaching and learning and community and professional service. She has held senior roles in higher education, public administration, and research and training such as Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic and Research), Dean, Head of School and Director of research Institutes. She was the Foundation Director of the Cairns Institute (2009-2012) and Director of the Institute for Community, Engagement and Policy Alternatives at Victoria University. In the public sector she has held roles such as Victorian Manager, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Executive Director Community Outcomes Branch in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Commissioner with the inaugural Multicultural Commission and CEO of Tablelands Regional Council. Professor Babacan brings extensive track record of leading multidisciplinary research in Australia and the Asia Pacific. Hurriyet has published widely in national and international publications relating to economic and social development including two publications for UNESCO. She has delivered keynote presentations at numerous national and international conferences. She has been Convenor or Steering Committee member of numerous high level conferences including the United Nations- Queensland Government Conference on Engaging Communities. Professor Babacan has been an expert member on numerous departmental and international working parties including the Council of Europe/OECD working party on wellbeing and Ministerial or Premier’s advisory committees relating to women, immigration and settlement, child protection, economic development, employment and education, multiculturalism, equal opportunity and regional development. Professor Babacan is a reviewer for the Australian Research Council. She is also editorial board member or reviewer for numerous international journals. Professor Babacan has been recognised for her work through a number of awards including the Order of Australia 2014 (AM) for outstanding contribution, as academic and author, and for furthering multicultural community, education and social policy development; Bi-Centenary Medal awarded by the Prime Minister, 2002 and the Multicultural Services Award by the Premier of Queensland. Hurriyet was the Queensland State Finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Award in the for Community and Public Service category in 2003. Professor Babacan name has been listed in the Australian Women’s Archives as recognition of women who have contributed to Australia.

Susan is the CEO of the Pilbara Kimberley University Centres. The PKUC is a member of the Federal Government’s Regional University Study Hubs programme with study hubs in Broome, Karratha, Port Hedland, Onslow and Tom Price. Currently the PKUC supports nearly 500 higher education students living in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions through a range of support services, education programmes and facilities. The PKUC is dedicated to addressing the inequity of education experienced by those living in WA’s remote north west and also the growth of a local skilled workforce to support the ever growing growth of the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.

Peter is a company director, project manager and business initiator with a decade’s experience on major projects overseas, and over 30 years living in Australia’s north-west. A community development enthusiast, he was Mayor of the City of Karratha for a decade, completing his service in 2023, and prior to that lived in the UK, USA, South Africa & India. He started a professional engineering and environmental consultancy which grew to some 100 staff, with offices across WA and currently holds directorships with the CRC for Developing Northern Australia, Rangelands NRM, Pilbara Kimberley Universities Centre & RDA-Pilbara.