The United States Studies Centre (USSC) at the University of Sydney is delighted to announce that Dr Lavina Lee will be appointed the new Director of Foreign Policy and Defence.

Dr Lavina Lee is a leading expert in foreign policy and security studies in Australia. She comes to the USSC from her role as Associate Professor and Chair of the discipline of Security Studies at Macquarie University. She was previously a member of the ASPI Council from 2020 to 2023.

USSC CEO Dr Michael Green announced the appointment, saying “Dr Lee is one of the most prolific experts on US defence and foreign policy issues. Importantly, she is one of the top leaders in Australia for US relations in the Indo-Pacific, having led on multiple international cooperative projects with partners in the region."

Dr Lee is the author of US Hegemony and International Legitimacy: Norms Power and Followership in the Wars on Iraq (Routledge, 2010) and has had a longstanding affiliation with the USSC. Her research has been supported by the Australian government and think-tanks on grey-zone, conventional and nuclear deterrence, Chinese influence in Southeast Asia, the Quad, and democracy promotion.

"My deep interest in understanding and shaping strategic and foreign affairs at such a critical time aligns perfectly with the vision of the USSC as it is engaging more with partners in the Indo-Pacific than ever before," Dr Lee noted.

Outgoing Director of Foreign Policy and Defence, Professor Peter Dean, is returning to work with the Australian Defence Force as Chair of Military Studies at the Australian War College. Prof. Dean will be focusing on key areas of defence industry for the USSC and broader alliance cooperation in a new role with the USSC as Senior Advisor for Defence.

Dr Green praised the appointment, commenting, “Pete will have a broad remit to provide guidance over military education for the Australian Defence Force as well as providing advice on strategy. This is a perfect application of his unique ability to translate strategy into education that will shape the future of the defence force.”

“In his time at the Centre, Pete has changed the trajectory of defence strategy and upskilling in Australia. His government appointment is a recognition of the role he is already playing on a national scale and his important work at the Centre,” Dr Green concluded.

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Mari Koeck
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