Professor John Howe named Director of Melbourne School of Government

Image of Professor John Howe.
Professor Howe will take up the position as Melbourne School of Government Director on November 6.

Melbourne Law School Associate Dean Professor John Howe has been appointed the new Director of the Melbourne School of Government.

Professor Howe – who is also Co-Director of the Centre for Employment and Labour Relations Law at the Melbourne Law School – will take up the position on November 6.

University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Provost Carolyn Evans said Professor Howe will draw on his experience in teaching, research collaboration and academic leadership to further the work of the Melbourne School of Government.

“John is a highly experienced academic leader with strong skills in partnering with both national and international organisations around pressing research problems,” Professor Evans said.

“He will bring a deep understanding of regulation and the changing economic and labour landscape to complement the skills of the current Melbourne School of Government staff.”

The Melbourne School of Government was launched in 2013 to bolster the study of policy, public administration and governance and to help nurture future political leaders and public servants.

Professor Evans also thanked Andrew Walter for his work as MSOG Interim Director.

“The Melbourne School of Government has been a pioneer in implementing innovative ideas, including the Pathways to Politics program to support women with an interest in entering politics, an inter-disciplinary Masters of Public Administration and a great research program drawing on strengths from around the University,” Professor Evans said.

“John’s leadership will take the Melbourne School of Government on the next stage of its journey as it aims to become the premier School of Government in the region.”

Professor Howe says he looks forward to building on the successes of the school’s flagship programs and strengthening its engagement with governments, industry and the community.

“The Melbourne School of Government’s interdisciplinary approach means it is well placed to provide teaching and research that helps to address a range of challenges faced by modern governments,” Professor Howe said.

“The increasingly decentralised and diverse nature of public policy and governance means that there are broader set of stakeholders who are facing some of the same issues as our political leaders, public service and policy makers.

“There are opportunities for the Melbourne School of Government to work with a range of organisations, such as regulatory agencies, accreditation bodies, and businesses and NGOs engaged with public policy delivery, to identify critical policy challenges and explore how these challenges can be addressed, build governance skills and contribute to broader policy and research. I look forward to working with colleagues and stakeholders as the School enters its next chapter.”