Professor Jennifer Curtin is a political scientist and founding Director of the Public Policy Institute at the University of Auckland–Waipapa Taumata Rau. Her research explores the inclusion of women and diverse communities in policy advocacy, leadership and political representation. While much of her work focuses on Aotearoa New Zealand, she is interested in cross national perspectives, knowledge diffusion by international organisations, and connections with diverse evidence and world views. Jennifer worked in the public and private sectors before becoming an academic. She continues to engage with policy makers, advocacy groups, and local communities and is a regular media commentator. She has had 8 books and monographs published and is the author of more than 80 peer reviewed articles and chapters. She currently leads the Gender Responsive Analysis and Budgeting Project (GRAB-NZ) and is involved in group projects on Reciprocity and Public Trust and, Valuing the Care Economy. Jennifer was born and raised in New Zealand, completed her PhD in Australia and was a Fulbright Research Fellow at Georgetown. She is mentor to six summer scholars, five PhD students, two postdoctoral fellows and teaches into Auckland’s Master of Public Policy. She is also the mother of two adult sons, a six-year-old tabby cat and a skittish Swedish Vallhund.
