Alex Oliver

Former Director of Research
Alex Oliver
Biography
Publications
News and media

Alex Oliver was Director of Research at the Lowy Institute between 2018 and 2021. Prior to 2018, she directed the Lowy Institute's program on diplomacy and public opinion, including the annual Lowy Institute Poll. 

Alex's other research interests include Australia's diplomacy and diplomatic infrastructure, consular affairs, and public diplomacy. As well as six annual Lowy Institute Polls, Alex authored or co-authored several major studies for the Lowy Institute on Australia’s diplomacy. She wrote for international press including Foreign AffairsForeign PolicyThe Wall Street Journal and BBC.com, and for Australian publications including The AustralianThe Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and the Australian Journal of International Affairs. Alex provided regular commentary on Australian foreign affairs and diplomacy in Australian and international media, gave evidence at parliamentary inquiries and delivered a Senate Occasional Lecture in 2014.     

Before joining the Institute in 2007, Alex was a senior associate at Mallesons Stephen Jaques Solicitors in Sydney, specialising in intellectual property and consumer law. Prior to her career in law she was an account director and brand manager at multinationals Leo Burnett Advertising and Unilever. Alex was the University Medallist in law at UNSW, has bachelor degrees in Law and Science and an A.Mus.A.

Lowy Institute Global Diplomacy Index 2017
Interactives
Lowy Institute Global Diplomacy Index 2017
The 2017 Lowy Institute Global Diplomacy Index has extended its coverage to Asia: with 17 more countries, it now maps and ranks 60 of the most significant diplomatic networks of…
Which are the countries still talking to North Korea?
Commentary
Which are the countries still talking to North Korea?
North Korea is often portrayed as entirely isolated from the rest of the world, but as the Lowy Institute's new 2017 Global Diplomacy Index has found, the so-called Hermit Kingdom…
Same-sex marriage survey: Gen Y got involved and the pollsters got it right
Same-sex marriage survey: Gen Y got involved and the pollsters got it right
A voluntary process did not stop young Australians participating.
NBN dysfunction threatens our international reputation
NBN dysfunction threatens our international reputation
If businesses and other aspiring innovators have inadequate connectivity to global communication systems, innovation initiatives are dead on arrival.
Almost half of us fear China could become a threat
Commentary
Almost half of us fear China could become a threat
Originally published in The Australian. Michael Fullilove , Alex Oliver
The 2017 Lowy Institute Poll Interactive
Polling
The 2017 Lowy Institute Poll Interactive
The 2017 Lowy Institute Poll looks at Australians' reactions to a turbulent year in world politics. The Poll, the thirtennth annual Poll by the Lowy Institute,  …
Trump tarnishes America's standing Down Under
Commentary
Trump tarnishes America's standing Down Under
Originally published in the Wall Street Journal. Michael Fullilove , Alex Oliver
2017 Lowy Institute Poll
Polling
2017 Lowy Institute Poll
After a turbulent year in global politics, the 2017 Lowy Institute Poll contains thought-provoking findings about how Australians have reacted to world events, and how they feel…
2017 Lowy Institute Poll: Australians say global engagement and US alliance are safe – for now
2017 Lowy Institute Poll: Australians say global engagement and US alliance are safe – for now
The 2017 Lowy Institute Poll finds Australians have reacted to global events in a typically pragmatic way. But they are troubled about the direction of the world and divided about…
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