Dr Elizabeth Killen

Dr Liz Killen PhD MSc BEng MRSN currently serves as Research Director at the Social Research Centre, a social research consultancy wholly owned by ANU.

Starting her career in engineering, she has since worked a diverse range of sectors spanning across consulting, non-profit, and government. Her academic journey has included a PhD earned from the University of Cambridge, UK, an MSc from Imperial College London, UK, and a BEng(Hons) attained at the University of New South Wales, Australia. 

Dr Killen’s doctoral research focused on the links between income and educational outcomes, with an emphasis on quantitative techniques, including modelling. Her more recent research pursuits include eduation policy, innovation ecosystems, science and technology policy, systems modelling for policy design, and the functioning and structure of government science advisory systems.

Dr Killen previously served as Assistant Manager in the science policy team of the Office of Australia's Chief Scientist. Before joining the Australian Government, Dr Killen worked in industrial innovation policy as part of the Policy Links Unit, connected to the University of Cambridge. Prior to this, she worked in the UK Government Office for Science in the Prime Minister's Council for Science and Technology secretariat and futures and foresight teams. Liz started her career as a chemical engineer in the nuclear medicine production facility at ANSTO in Australia.

PhD MSc BEng MRSN

• Science policy
• Simulation, modelling and systems thinking
• Industrial innovation policy 
• Education policy