The project has now begun the interview stage. We are currently inviting leaders in political institutions, civil society, community organisations and related public roles in Australia and the European Union to take part in research interviews on leadership, representation, institutions and public life.

Why we are inviting leaders

Leaders working across political institutions and civil society have direct experience of how representation, participation and public decision making work in practice. Their perspectives are essential for understanding how leadership is shaped by personal background, institutional context, community expectations, public responsibilities and wider political culture.

By speaking with leaders across these different settings, the project seeks to gain a richer and more grounded understanding of contemporary leadership in democratic societies. These insights will help build a clearer picture of the barriers and opportunities that shape leadership today, both within formal political institutions and in the broader civic sphere.

A key focus of the interviews is representation. We are interested in how leaders understand their own role, who they feel they represent, how they work with different communities or constituencies, and how they navigate expectations connected to migration, ethnicity, race, gender and public life.

What participation involves

Participation usually involves an interview about your professional experience, views on leadership, and reflections on representation, institutions, communities and public life.

The interview is intended to support academic research and broader understanding of leadership in contemporary democracies. We value participants’ time and expertise, and all interviews are approached with professionalism, care and respect.

Why your perspective matters

This project examines how democratic societies can recognise, support and learn from different leadership experiences, including those that have historically been underrepresented in political institutions, civil society and public debate.

Your perspective would help the project better understand how leadership is experienced in practice, how institutions and communities are navigated from within, and how leaders themselves make sense of representation in contemporary democratic life.

Broader contribution

The project is designed to contribute to public discussion, academic research and dialogue between institutions in Australia and the European Union.

In the longer term, the research aims to support more inclusive approaches to leadership and provide evidence that can inform democratic practice, education and policy conversations across different institutional and civic settings.

Information for invited participants

If you have been invited to participate in this research, thank you for considering the invitation. Your perspective would make an important contribution to a broader understanding of leadership, representation and democratic life in Australia and Europe.