Career Development Series 2025: Ask Me How I Became the Assistant Director Land Transport Policy at DITRDCSA with James Bushell

Embarking on a career after completing a research degree opens up a world of exciting possibilities. This career development series brings together PhD graduates from diverse fields to share their unique journeys, insights, and advice on career planning, professional growth, and leveraging research skills beyond academia. Through a series of interactive sessions, you’ll have the chance to hear firsthand about the many career paths available, gain valuable perspectives on professional growth, and discover how to apply the skills you have developed during your candidature in new and meaningful ways. Whether you're exploring options or shaping your next steps, these conversations will inspire and empower you to navigate your career with confidence.

In September, we are excited to welcome Dr James Bushell and learn how he became the Assistant Director Land Transport Policy at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts.

James Bushell (PhD 2023) is an Assistant Director with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts (DITRDCSA) and is based in Canberra.  Following completion of his PhD in transport management with the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, he works on land transport policy issues in the road and rail sectors. Prior to undertaking a PhD, James had a decade of experience in professional services in the aviation, mining and agricultural industries and studied agricultural (applied) economics at the University of Sydney. James really finds the research skills and systems thinking approaches to be highly valuable in policy development, given the rigour that this brings to the policy development process and the delivery of good outcomes for Australians. In addition, he found the time during a PhD was a fantastic to build knowledge in all sorts of related areas, not just the core PhD knowledge domain. This extra knowledge helps him do more with his research skills.

Join us as we explore his career journey, insights into his current role, and valuable advice for research students.