About
Jiann Hughes is an impact-orientated strategic and collaborative leader with 28 years of experience across public service, emergency management, and the community sector. She has co-designed and delivered innovative and inclusive policy, action plans, initiatives, and services across Australia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
Evidence driven with a focus on human rights and social justice, Jiann is trauma informed and has extensive experience navigating complex issues in politically nuanced environments. She has led projects combining strategic planning, policy development, action research, service design, program evaluation, and regulatory compliance.
An accomplished community development practitioner driven by the principles of social justice, equity, and inclusion, Jiann has extensive experience working with and representing the experiences of displaced people — seven years at the Asylum Seekers Centre of New South Wales, five years for Médecins Sans Frontières Australia, and work with recently arrived migrants in one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse local government areas in Australia.
As an accredited Organisational Coach, she builds strong foundations of trust and psychological safety in teams, highly attuned to what motivates individuals and elevates their performance.
Jiann is also an interdisciplinary artist and researcher. Her PhD in socially engaged practice at UTS explored methods of participation and creative research. Her artwork — spanning installation, participatory practice, and situated public art — has been encountered in streets and galleries across Australia, Hungary, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain, and the UK. Explore the art archive.
Professional Journey
Intersectionality Lead
Our Watch · 2025–present
Intersectionality Lead
Our Watch · 2025–present
Leading intersectional approaches to the prevention of gender-based violence at a national level, ensuring policy and practice address the compounding effects of multiple forms of discrimination.
Australia
Senior Research Consultant, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
CSIRO Data61 · 2022–2024
Senior Research Consultant, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
CSIRO Data61 · 2022–2024
Drove DEI research strategy within Australia's national science agency, embedding inclusive practices into data science and digital technology research.
Sydney, New South Wales
Strategic Advisor
City of Port Phillip · 2022
Strategic Advisor
City of Port Phillip · 2022
Provided strategic advice to local government on equity, inclusion, and community engagement initiatives.
Melbourne, Victoria
Project Manager, Rainbow Tick
The Salvation Army · 2021–2022
Project Manager, Rainbow Tick
The Salvation Army · 2021–2022
Managed the Rainbow Tick accreditation program, ensuring LGBTIQ+ inclusive service delivery across the organisation.
Melbourne, Victoria
Program Manager, Cadets / Project Lead
Country Fire Authority (CFA) · 2020–2021
Program Manager, Cadets / Project Lead
Country Fire Authority (CFA) · 2020–2021
Led youth engagement and emergency management programs. Managed projects during Victoria's bushfire recovery period, integrating community development principles into emergency response.
Melbourne, Victoria
Principal Consultant
i.e. community · 2019
Principal Consultant
i.e. community · 2019
Independent consulting practice focused on community development, service design, and inclusive policy.
Melbourne, Victoria
Synapse Artist Resident
CSIRO · 2017–2018
Synapse Artist Resident
CSIRO · 2017–2018
Research-led artist residency investigating Metal Organic Frameworks and their biomedical applications, resulting in the project "Caring for Curious Ecologies" and a publication in Leonardo journal.
Melbourne, Victoria
Program Coordinator
Colin Neighbourhood Partnership · 2012–2016
Program Coordinator
Colin Neighbourhood Partnership · 2012–2016
Coordinated community development programs in West Belfast, working across sectarian divides on shared space and social inclusion initiatives.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Community Development Officer
Auburn City Council · 2009–2011
Community Development Officer
Auburn City Council · 2009–2011
Community development work in one of Australia's most culturally and linguistically diverse local government areas, supporting recently arrived migrants.
Sydney, New South Wales
Family Support Program Coordinator
Asylum Seekers Centre · 2003–2009
Family Support Program Coordinator
Asylum Seekers Centre · 2003–2009
Seven years supporting and representing the experiences of displaced people, coordinating family support and creative expression programs.
Sydney, New South Wales
Web Manager
Médecins Sans Frontières Australia · 2004–2008
Web Manager
Médecins Sans Frontières Australia · 2004–2008
Managed the digital presence and web communications for MSF's Australian operations.
Sydney, New South Wales
Telefundraising Coordinator
2Evolve Pty Ltd · 2000–2004
Telefundraising Coordinator
2Evolve Pty Ltd · 2000–2004
Coordinated philanthropic fundraising campaigns for nonprofit clients.
Sydney, New South Wales
Implementation Consultant / Business Analyst
QSP · 1995–2000
Implementation Consultant / Business Analyst
QSP · 1995–2000
Technology consulting and business analysis across Australian and UK operations.
Sydney / London
Contract Manager
Transport for London · 1991–1995
Contract Manager
Transport for London · 1991–1995
Managed contracts for one of the world's largest public transport networks.
London, England
Education
PhD, Participatory Practice / Socially Engaged Art
University of Technology Sydney
Practice-based research: "Speculative Fabulations for our Sensor Society"
Masters, Community Development (Distinction)
University of New South Wales
Focus on policy, governance, needs assessment, rights-based project design
Diploma, Purchasing and Supply
London Metropolitan University
BSc, Business Information Systems
University of East Anglia