Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Joins University of Sydney to Teach Empathetic Leadership
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has joined the University of Sydney in a multifaceted academic role, where she will lecture and mentor students on the principles of “empathetic leadership.” The university confirmed on Tuesday that the 46-year-old former world leader will take up her position this month, marking a significant addition to the institution’s School of Public Health and the Sydney Policy Lab.
While the role is not a full-time teaching commitment, Ardern will be deeply integrated into the university’s Faculty of Medicine and Health. Her work is expected to bridge several disciplines, focusing on social cohesion, civic trust, and the development of new, values-based approaches to global leadership. Additionally, the university noted she will explore innovative strategies for addressing global health challenges with an emphasis on equity, inclusion, and community wellbeing.
Since stepping down from political office in early 2023, Ardern has focused on how leadership can be restructured to meet modern global crises. “I’ve found myself especially focused on the question of leadership since leaving office—and how we can better support and encourage the kind of leadership needed to tackle our many global challenges,” Ardern said following the announcement. She added that she looks forward to sharing experiences with the student body and faculty to help solve pressing community issues.
The appointment follows Ardern’s recent relocation to Sydney. Earlier this year, she moved to the city with her husband, Clarke Gayford, and their daughter, Neve, after purchasing a property on Sydney’s northern beaches. This move signaled a new chapter for the former prime minister, who served as New Zealand’s 40th leader from 2017 to 2023.
University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and President Mark Scott praised Ardern’s track record, citing her “courage and humanity” during her tenure in Wellington. Scott noted that the opportunity for students to learn directly from a former head of state would be exceptional, describing Ardern as a thoughtful teacher with a vast amount of practical experience in public service. Her duties will include guest lectures, masterclasses, and direct mentoring, primarily working through the office of the Vice-Chancellor on university-wide initiatives.
Ardern’s political career was defined by her navigation of several high-profile crises. After becoming the world’s youngest female head of government at age 37, she led New Zealand through the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks and the subsequent overhaul of national gun laws. She also managed the country’s response to the deadly Whakaari/White Island volcanic eruption and the COVID-19 pandemic. While her pandemic management initially earned international acclaim for its efficacy, she faced domestic challenges, including economic pressures and strict lockdowns, which saw her popularity fluctuate before she resigned in January 2023, stating she no longer had “enough in the tank.”
The Sydney appointment is the latest in a series of high-level academic and philanthropic roles for Ardern. Following her departure from the Beehive, she held fellowships at Harvard University and was named a distinguished fellow at the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government in 2024. She also founded “Field,” a fellowship program specifically designed to cultivate empathetic leadership among emerging political figures. Beyond academia, she has remained active in international efforts to combat online extremism and monitor the societal impacts of artificial intelligence.
At Sydney, Ardern is expected to provide students with a practical framework for leadership that balances technical policy expertise with the human-centric approach that became her trademark on the global stage. Her work with the Sydney Policy Lab will likely focus on strengthening democratic institutions and fostering civic engagement during an era of increasing political polarization.
