Jacinda Ardern Appointed to University of Sydney Role Focused on Empathetic Leadership
The former New Zealand prime minister will teach and mentor students at the university's School of Public Health.
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has accepted a position as a 'professor of practice' at the University of Sydney's School of Public Health, the university announced. The role, which begins this month, will involve Ardern teaching and mentoring students on topics including empathetic leadership, social cohesion, and civic trust.
Ardern, 46, stated that since leaving office, she has been focused on the nature of leadership and how to better support leaders addressing 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," Ardern said in a statement.
The university's School of Public Health designed the professor of practice position in 2019 to integrate experienced practitioners into academic life. Ardern's work will also explore new approaches to global and values-based leadership, as well as addressing global health challenges with a focus on equity, inclusion, and wellbeing.
"Her leadership demonstrated that empathy and resolve do not compete with one another; each can strengthen the other," said University vice-chancellor Mark Scott. "Students will meet not only a former prime minister, but a thoughtful teacher with a great deal to share about public leadership and service."
Ardern led New Zealand through significant events including the Christchurch terrorist attacks, the Whakaari volcanic eruption, and the COVID-19 pandemic before resigning as prime minister in January 2023. Since departing from her political role, she has held fellowships at Harvard and Oxford universities and founded an international program promoting empathetic leadership.
Earlier this year, Ardern relocated with her family to Sydney's northern beaches. She recently attended pre-COP31 meetings in Fiji alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and spoke at a gender equality conference in Melbourne.
