JACINDA ARDERN JOINS UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has joined the University of Sydney as a professor of practice, the university said. She will lecture and mentor in its school of public health, within the faculty of medicine and health. The university said her work would focus on empathetic leadership, social cohesion and civic trust. Ardern begins the role this month after moving to Australia with her family in February.

Ardern will explore approaches to global health challenges, equity, inclusion and wellbeing, according to the university. She will give guest lectures and masterclasses and mentor students, but the university said she would not teach full-time. Ardern said she hoped to “explore and develop ways to better serve our communities”. She said she had focused on leadership since leaving office, including how to support people tackling global challenges.

Ardern served as New Zealand’s prime minister from 2017 to 2023 and left politics in January 2023. During her premiership, she led the country through the Christchurch terrorist attack, the Whakaari White Island volcanic eruption and the COVID pandemic. New Zealand awarded her a damehood in 2023 for services to the state. University of Sydney vice-chancellor Mark Scott said he had “long admired the courage and humanity” she brought to public life. He said students would have an opportunity to learn about public leadership and service from her.