Elise Stephenson
Biography
Publications
Dr Elise Stephenson is the Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women's Leadership, Australian National University. She is a multi-award-winning gender equality researcher with an entrepreneurial background. Elise's research focuses on gender, sexuality and leadership in policy frontiers, from researching the space sector, to diplomacy, national security, intelligence, climate action, international relations, and the Asia Pacific. She is an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) fellow 2025-2028 for her research on: Gender Equality at the Frontiers: AI, Space and Climate Action.
Why are Australia’s top diplomatic jobs still for men only?
Recent appointments of male envoys to London and Washington highlight persistent gender gaps at DFAT's highest level.
Women in international affairs: beyond glass ceilings to the glass cliff
Is the international equal and inclusive leadership pipeline, clogged, leaky, shrinking or splitting?
Expanding the Women, Peace and Security agenda to the next frontier – space
Australia could have an outsized impact promoting “responsible behaviours” in space through diplomacy and gender advocacy.
The future is female, but women in diplomacy still under-represented
It’s two steps forward, one step back for gender parity in Australian international relations.
Covid-19 responses: Why feminist leadership matters in a crisis
Too often gender equality is jettisoned when “real problems” arise. Not only is this mistaken, it can cost lives.
Youth-led diplomacy: Big opportunity for big impact
Tapping into the energy and insights of young people can help ensure the future success of Australia’s foreign policy.
As Julie Bishop exits, how far have women come in world affairs?
The number of women in senior international roles is unmatched for Australia and the challenge is to drive to parity.
A slap in the face for diverse diplomacy
Unmarried, same-sex partners of foreign diplomats have 30 days to get married or face deportation from the US.
