Sydney Policy Lab - 2026 Annual Public Lecture

Bernadette Black AM is a leading voice on how Australia can better support children, young people and families, particularly those navigating disadvantage. Through her work, Bernadette partners across government, philanthropy and the community sector to drive practical, evidence-informed reform and improve long-term outcomes through stronger systems, smarter investment and more joined-up services.

Bernadette’s work strongly aligns with the Sydney Policy Lab’s mission to connect research, lived experience and decision-making in service of better policy and stronger communities. Her focus on practical solutions, cross-sector collaboration and long-term systems change speaks directly to the challenges many public leaders are grappling with right now - and we’re thrilled to welcome her as the speaker for this year’s Sydney Policy Lab Annual Lecture, one of our key platform events.

About the Sydney Policy Lab

The Sydney Policy Lab was created by the University of Sydney to be a non-partisan space where people from all walks of life gather to set the agenda, experiment and make public policy that transforms lives.

The Lab’s prime focus is on and with the community. To kickstart a new ecosystem of public policy research and development, our projects build on deep relationships with civil society organisations, government and philanthropy. We prioritise working with people who have been excluded from decision-making, leadership and power.

Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring our events are safe, accessible and enjoyable for all. The Great Hall is accessible for people who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids. If you have any other access requirements, please do let us know when you register.