The Development Policy Centre (Devpol) is a think tank for aid and development serving Australia, the region, and the global development community. We undertake independent research and promote practical initiatives to improve the effectiveness of Australian aid, to support the development of Papua New Guinea and the Pacific island region, and to contribute to better global development policy.
We were established in September 2010 and are based at Crawford School of Public Policy in the ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy.
Our centre includes a community of researchers and program staff based in Canberra and the Pacific region. Devpol is also the hub of a large network including Centre Associates, graduate students and interns.
Our publications — discussion papers, policy briefs and reports — make our research available for all.
Our events are fora for the dissemination of findings and the exchange of information and ideas.
The Devpolicy Blog is our platform for analysis, discussion and debate.
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“I appreciate the longstanding contributions [Professor Stephen Howes] has made to Australia’s foreign aid policy through the Development Policy Centre, AusAID and the many other bodies on which he has served as chair or adviser.”
Senator Jess Collins
Second Reading of the Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill, August 2025
“I welcome the release of the 2025 Australian Aid Transparency Audit by the ANU’s Development Policy Centre. This independent review is a vital accountability mechanism. It supports us to go further. And it provides an evidence-based perspective that helps sharpen our approach and identify gaps to close.”
The Hon Anne Aly MP
Minister for International Development, Small Business and Multicultural Affairs, August 2025
“… the Development Policy Centre at the ANU, whose research about the Pacific is both rigorous with regard to evidence and methodology, and digestible for a general audience via their well-read blog.”
The Hon Andrew Giles MP
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, ANU Migration Update, 2023
“Let me say thanks to the whole team who pulls together the Devpolicy blogs – they are a big resource for our sector and get regular reading/sharing in my circles.”
Matthew Maury
CEO, Tearfund Australia
Chair, Emergency Action Alliance, Deputy President of the ACFID Board, 2022
“The invaluable Devpolicy Blog (from the Development Policy Centre at the Australian National University) has gathered the figures…”
Graeme Dobell
The Strategist, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, 2022
“The Development Policy Centre does an outstanding job bringing together researchers – and a wide range of stakeholders – from across Australia, the Pacific, Asia and beyond.”