The United States Studies Centre (USSC) at the University of Sydney is pleased to announce the appointment of our latest non-resident experts: former Chief of Staff to President Trump Mick Mulvaney, former Director General of ASIO Duncan Lewis, AO and Sir Roland Wilson Scholar at the National Security College, Australian National University Jennifer Jackett.
USSC CEO Professor Simon Jackman says, “We are thrilled with the substantive breadth, career experience and distinction these appointments bring to the Centre, and to our analysis of the evolving US-Australia alliance.”
Mick Mulvaney and Duncan Lewis join the Centre as Non-Resident Senior Fellows, and Jennifer Jackett joins our Foreign Policy and Defence Program as a Non-Resident Fellow.
“Mick, Duncan and Jennifer are uniquely positioned to provide analysis based on both the formidable calibre of their experience, as well as their depth of knowledge of both Australia and the United States,” says Professor Jackman.
“Jennifer comes to us from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, via ANU, and is a rising voice on key technology security issues."
Professor Jackman also notes “Duncan’s career spans distinguished leadership in uniform and in civilian life, each of them drawing on and shaping Australia’s relationship with the United States. Mick worked in the US government as both an elected official and at the highest levels of the Executive Branch. Their contributions to the Centre and its mission couldn’t be more valuable nor more timely as we approach the 70th anniversary of the alliance between Australia and the United States.”
The appointments build the Centre’s expertise in areas of national security, intelligence, critical technology and economics. To book a briefing or interview with one of our experts, please contact ussc.media@sydney.edu.au
Mick Mulvaney
Non-Resident Senior Fellow
Now at investment management firm Exegis Capital as a founding Partner, Mick Mulvaney cut his teeth in the professional sector as an attorney before moving into the US public service. Most recently he served as President Trump’s White House Chief of Staff (2019-2020), and as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (2017-2020). He also represented the state of South Carolina as a State Legislator (2007-2011) and in the United States House of Representatives for South Carolina’s 5th Congressional district (2011-2017).
Duncan Lewis, AO
Non-Resident Senior Fellow
Duncan Lewis, AO, recently completed his five-year term as Director General of Security and Head of the Australian Security Intelligence Service (ASIO), following an illustrious career in the Australian Defence Force spanning three decades. Subsequent to his retirement from the army he served as National Security Advisor to the Rudd Labor government, and in 2011 became the first former military officer appointed the Secretary of the Australian Department of Defence.
Jennifer Jackett
Non-Resident Fellow, Foreign Policy and Defence
On leave from her position as Senior Adviser in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Jennifer Jackett is currently pursuing her PhD as a Sir Roland Wilson Scholar at the National Security College (ANU), focussing on US-China competition for leadership over advanced and emerging technologies. Her career has seen her advise government on a broad range of converging policies issues from foreign interference and counter-terrorism, to defence capability development and international defence engagement.
Media enquiries
Taylor Mellor
T 02 9114 2622
E Taylor.Mellor@sydney.edu.au