ANU’s tech policy centre develops into non-profit ‘think tank’

tech policy

An Australian-first independent “think tank” committed to informing and developing technology policy has formed out of the roots of the Australian National University’s (ANU’s) Tech Policy Design Centre.

The Canberra-based Tech Policy Design Institute (TPDi) combines independent research, public commentary and education to bridge a policy gap in Australia surrounding the impact of technology on society, the economy and national security, including regulation of artificial intelligence (AI), privacy, digital platforms, the global tech race and rising ‘geostrategic’ tension.

The institute will be supported by its Tech Policy Design Fund, with contributions already made from several founding members including the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, the Department of Finance, Adobe, Amazon, Apple, Atlassian, the Australian Computer Society, Microsoft and Salesforce.

“Young people’s use of social media, digital identity, cyber security, and technology’s impact on democracy, are just some of the tech policy issues on the national agenda in 2025,” TPDi CEO and Co-Founder, Johanna Weaver, said. 

“TPDi embraces a multi-stakeholder funding model, drawing support from government, industry, philanthropy, and charitable sectors. This approach safeguards our independence by preventing capture by any single group. It allows us to critically engage with all stakeholders, harnessing diverse expertise to co-design practical policy solutions that deliver better outcomes for Australia.” 

The TPDi is also supported by its board and a group of special advisers, including former CEO of the Tech Council of Australia, Kate Pounder; Australia’s former Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, Dr Tobias Feakin; Head of Global Policy and Regulatory Affairs for Atlassian, David Masters; co-founder of global digital rights not-for-profit Access Now, Brett Solomon; former Chair of the ACCC, Professor Rod Sims; Taiwan’s inaugural Digital Minister (now Cyber Ambassador), Audrey Tang; CSIRO Executive Director, Professor Elanor Huntington; Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant; and online safety advocate, Frances Haugen.

Zoe Jay Hawkins and Sunita Kumar join Weaver as fellow co-founders and Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Operating Officer, respectively. The establishment of the TPDi as a not-for-profit follows three years of development of the preceding ANU-based centre, with plans to continue its mission to:

  • Design best practice tech policy through world-leading research;
  • Establish a pipeline of leaders that design good tech policy through innovative education;
  • Foster informed public debate on tech policy issues in Australia and the Indo-Pacific; and
  • Convene multi-stakeholder communities to co-design practical tech policy solutions.

“Technology impacts every aspect of our lives. Given its rapid evolution, it’s easy to feel like we have little control over where technology is headed, but we don’t have to passively accept the status quo. We can – and must – shape technology through the power of policy,” Hawkins said.