Former New Zealand Prime Minister the Rt Hon Dame Jacinda Ardern GNZM will join the University of Sydney as a Professor of Practice from October 2026, bringing her experience leading New Zealand and a global focus on leadership with empathy to the University community.

Her work will focus on empathetic leadership, social cohesion and civic trust; further developing new approaches to global and values-based leadership; as well as exploring new ways to address global health challenges centred on equity, inclusion and wellbeing.

Based in the University of Sydney School of Public Health in the Faculty of Medicine and Health, Dame Jacinda will work closely with the Sydney Policy Lab and the office of the Vice-Chancellor on initiatives across the University. 

She will engage with students, researchers and the wider University community through guest lectures, masterclasses and mentoring. The position is not a full-time teaching role.

Dame Jacinda will also join author Anna Funder at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday 1 November 2026 for a conversation about how we can disagree while still listening to and learning from one another. Hosted by Professor Mark Scott, The Art of Disagreement is part of the University’s Conversations for Good series.

Professor Mark Scott AO, Vice-Chancellor and President said: 

“It is a great pleasure to welcome Dame Jacinda Ardern to the University of Sydney – I have long admired the courage and humanity she brought to public life. 

“Dame Jacinda led New Zealand through events of profound consequence and her leadership demonstrated that empathy and resolve do not compete with one another; each can strengthen the other. 

“For our students, the opportunity to learn from Dame Jacinda is exceptional, they will meet not only a former Prime Minister, but a thoughtful teacher with a great deal to share about public leadership and service. 

“Her contribution will enrich our work in public health, public policy and across the University. We are proud Dame Jacinda has chosen to join the university, and I know our entire community will extend her the warmest of welcomes.”

Dame Jacinda Ardern said: 

“I’m delighted to be joining the University of Sydney. I’ve found myself especially focused on the question of leadership since leaving office – and how we can better support and encourage the  kind of leadership needed to tackle our many global challenges. 

“I’m looking forward to working alongside the brilliant students, faculty, and wider University of Sydney community, as we share experiences, explore and develop ways to better serve our communities, and help solve the issues facing so many today.” 

Dame Jacinda became New Zealand’s 40th Prime Minister at 37 years old, serving in the role from 2017 to 2023. She led the country through the Christchurch terrorist attacks, the Whakaari volcanic eruption, and the COVID-19 pandemic, while implementing a bold policy agenda focused on addressing housing, climate change, and child poverty. 

Since leaving office she has held fellowships at Harvard University focused on public leadership and technology governance. In 2024, she joined the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government as a Distinguished Fellow and member of its World Leaders Circle. In 2024, she founded “Field” a first of its kind fellowship programme for empathetic leaders. 

She continues her work on eliminating violent extremism and terrorism online as Patron of the Christchurch Call, and works on the development of safe, people centred AI. She serves as a trustee of the Earthshot Prize, and Special Envoy to the COP Presidency for Oceania. Her memoir, A Different Kind of Power, was published in 2025. 

The University’s Professors of Practice bring experienced practitioners into academic life, providing access to first-hand professional experience and create new links between research, policy and practice.  

Hero Photo Credit: Stefanie Zingsheim/University of Sydney