Dr Erin Watson

Dr Erin Watson is one of Australia’s leading voices in global affairs and diplomacy. After more than a decade in some of Australia’s leading universities and think tanks, Erin now consults across the globe and through her boutique public policy and public affairs firm, Baker and York. A trusted advisor on contemporary policy challenges and what it means for business, Erin has worked with clients from startups to big tech listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Erin is an international consultant to the UN Women, a contributor on Sky News Australia, and is a popular commentator on international broadcast networks.

Erin is currently a Co-Chair of the Think 20 at the G20 India, and has previously attended G20 meetings in Saudi Arabia, Japan, Argentina, China and Turkey. She is regularly invited to speak at conferences, roundtables and dialogues around the world including countries in Europe, the Middle East, South America, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Erin also spends time on the ground, including in Rohingya and Syrian refugee camps, learning first hand about the world’s most pressing education, health, and geopolitical challenges.

Erin is an experienced board chair and director, including as Chair of the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education and Director of the Council on Australia and Latin America Relations at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She is Co-founder and Chair of the Australia Latam Emerging Leaders Dialogue which has over 40 volunteers in 8 countries.

Erin’s writing is published by leading think tanks including the Lowy Institute, Observer Research Foundation, and by United Nations ESCAP. She has written for the Australian, the Interpreter, Australian Outlook and is quoted regulatory on emerging policy issues and trends. The recipient of multiple awards & fellowships at university and was a finalist in the not-for-profit category of the Women’s Agenda Emerging Leaders Awards, won the Australian Government’s Policy Hack, was a Global Voices Scholar, and spent time as a visiting library scholar at NYU Abu Dhabi.

Erin’s qualifications include a Doctor of Philosophy, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance, a Bachelor of Social Science, a Diploma in Management, a Diploma in Business Management (HR). In her spare time Erin enjoys running and is a finisher of Bussleton Ironman.