About event
Join the SSN for a seminar based on the Independent Inquiry into the Australian Government COIVD-19 Response by Professor Catherine Bennett.
Join the SSN for this hybrid seminar with SSN stalwart, expert epidemiologist, interdisciplinarian and distinguished public analyst Professor Catherine Bennett. We invite guests to join us in person at Deakin Downtown, or online via YouTube Livestream. The event will be chaired by the SSN’s Distinguished Professor Emma Kowal.
Traversing disciplines, government structures and provenances of policy – the Independent Inquiry into the Australian Government COVID-19 Response
In 2024, the Commonwealth Government appointed an independent panel to review Australia’s COVID-19 response and improve Australia’s preparedness for future pandemics. This Inquiry was led by a 3-person team including Deakin’s Professor Catherine Bennett. The Inquiry considered over 2,000 submissions, research reports, interviews and roundtable inputs and released its final report in October 2024. Professor Bennett will discuss her experience leading an Inquiry which required analysis of nearly every arm of federal and state government and every civic stakeholder. In synthesising this complexity, the Inquiry developed nine key pillars of an effective pandemic response: Minimising Harm, Planning & Preparedness, Leadership & Coordination, Evidence & Evaluation, Agility & Innovation, Relationships, Trust, Equity and Communications. Professor Bennett will share her insights on working across disparate disciplines and organisational cultures to develop an ambitious and comprehensive plan to prepare Australia for future pandemics.
Speaker bio
Catherine Bennett is a Distinguished Professor and foundation Chair in Epidemiology at Deakin, and one of the three-person Independent Panel that led the Australian Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry. Her career track includes experience in government, leadership and governance and as an infectious disease epidemiologist and public health researcher. She was Director of Population Health Practice at the University of Melbourne before joining Deakin as Head of the School of Health and Social Development from 2010-2019. Her research focusses on community transmission of infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance, and community-led research. Catherine is a prominent public analyst on public health matters and advisor to industry, governments, and institutions globally.
The in-person seminar will be livestreamed here. Please login to YouTube via a google account if you wish to take part in the discussion and Q and A.
Event Contact:
ssn-info@deakin.edu.auShare