The Centre for Social Impact Swinburne has announced that Distinguished Professor Jo Barraket will be stepping down from her role as founding Director at the end of 2021, a role that she has held since 2014.
Professor Barraket takes up a new role as the Director of the University of Melbourne's Social Equity Institute, beginning in 2022.
Professor Barraket continues as Director of CSI Swinburne until mid-December and new leadership arrangements will be announced on CSI's social media channels prior to her departure.
Professor Barraket said that it was a testament to the strength and commitment of her 'brilliant team' that she had been able to look for the next challenge.
"CSI Swinburne has firmly established its leadership in social and inclusive economy research, and demonstrates the hallmark CSI characteristics of working at the nexus of research, education and practice. There is an excellent leadership team in place, and one of the most dedicated teams of researchers and educators I've ever had the privilege of working with. Together, we have set the Centre up for sustainability and I look forward to observing its future successes under renewed leadership."
Professor Barraket is a political sociologist with a focus on both public policy and organisational practice. She is a leading international scholar in the areas of social enterprise and the wider social economy and has additional research interests in digital inclusion and social innovation.
As Director of the Melbourne Social Equity Institute, Professor Barraket will provide leadership in developing, attracting and facilitating interdisciplinary research by actively engaging with community-based organisations, government, business, philanthropic organisations and academic staff to address social equity issues.
