Professor Tim Soutphommasane
Executive leader, author and thinker on institutions, inclusion, culture and democracy
I help organisations lead through complexity — from diversity and culture change to public trust, free speech and social cohesion.
Available for keynote engagements, commentary, advisory work, and leadership conversations.
About
I am Chief Diversity Officer and Professor at the University of Oxford, where I lead the institution’s work on equality, diversity and inclusion. Previously, I served as Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner, leading national efforts to combat racial discrimination. Before joining Oxford, I led the Culture Strategy at the University of Sydney and acted as director of the Sydney Policy Lab.
I am a political theorist and commentator whose work focuses on race, identity, citizenship, democracy and public life. An author of five books, I have been a regular columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Weekend Australian. My work has also been featured and reported by outlets including the New York Times, CNN, BBC, Financial Times, The Guardian, New Statesman and ABC.
I bring together executive leadership, public policy experience and public communication — helping institutions and audiences engage difficult questions with clarity, nuance and confidence.
Areas of work
Leading through complexity
Supporting leaders and organisations as they navigate contested questions, institutional risk, and public trust.
Culture, inclusion and organisational change
Helping institutions strengthen culture, leadership, belonging, and durable organisational change.
Rights, democracy and public debate
Speaking and writing on race, identity, citizenship, multiculturalism, democracy, and free speech.
My books
