Paul Smyth

Paul Smyth (born 1947 ) is a professor of social policy in the School of Social and Political Sciences, Faculty of Arts at the University of Melbourne.

Education and early career Smyth initially trained as a Roman Catholic priest. Smyth then completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Murdoch University in Perth, and a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of New South Wales. Smyth was a senior researcher at Uniya, a Jesuit social research and action centre in Sydney established by Frank Brennan.

University of Melbourne The University of Melbourne appointed Smyth a Professorial Fellow of Social Policy in July 2003, with responsibility for overseeing the Master of Social Policy programme. During this time, Smyth gave the 2007 Foenander Lecture and the 2013 Sambell Oration.

Smyth remains the Course Co-ordinator for the Master of Social Policy at the University.

Other appointments In May 2008, Smyth was appointed to the Department of Social Services's Australian Institute of Family Studies Advisory Council and was reappointed in 2009. Smyth also sat on the advisory board of the University of South Australia Centre for Work + Life and is a member of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council (part of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference). Smyth is a member of the Grattan Institute's Productivity Growth Program Reference Group and is an External Thought Leader to The Wyatt Trust. Smyth sat on the Editorial Board of the British Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. Smyth previously sat on the Volunteer Research Agenda Advisory Group at Volunteering Australia.

Jenny Macklin, the Australian Shadow Minister for Disability Reform, appointed Smyth in 2014 to advise on social policy reform in the Australian Labor Party.

Publications

Smyth's commentary is featured in publications including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's The Drum, The Conversation, Crikey, and Eureka Street among others.

Selected books 2014, Social Policy in Australia, 3rd edition, Smyth, P. & McClelland, A. (eds), Oxford University Press, 2013, Inclusive Growth in Australia, Smyth, P & Buchanan, J., Allen & Unwin, 2005, Community and local governance in Australia, Smyth, P. & Reddel, T., Jones, A. (eds), UNSW Press, 2004, Social policy and the Commonwealth: prospects for social inclusion, Smyth, P. & Jones Finer, C (eds), Palgrave Macmillan, 1998, Contesting the Australian way : states, markets and civil society, Smyth, P. & Cass, B. (eds), Cambridge University Press, 1994, Australian Social Policy the Keynesian Chapter, Smyth, P, [UNSW Press],