Crawford School of Public Policy

Hannah Fearnside, born and raised in Melbourne, has always been driven by a deep passion for social justice, particularly in advocating for gender equality and combating violence against women and girls. Armed with a BA, LLB, and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, she dedicated seven years to working at Victoria Legal Aid, immersing herself in various roles focused on family law and family violence issues, all while championing the cause of reconciliation.

Hannah’s dedication to ending violence against women and girls led her to pursue a Master of Public Policy (MPP) at Crawford School, which allows her to delve into the intricate nuances of gender equality. “I was attracted to the MPP at Crawford because of the access to real-world opportunities, particularly the work being completed by the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership (GIWL),” she explained.

Fueled by a desire to turn conversations into action, Hannah embarked on an internship experience at GIWL in the heart of King’s College in London.

During her internship, Hannah immersed herself in the vital work of the GIWL, focusing her efforts on the Gender and Data stream, which measures and records gender inequalities for women in leadership and across gender equality issues by synthesising existing data and highlighting data gaps. Collaborating with fellow intern Nadia Rohregger and under the guidance of Dr Caitlin Schmid, Hannah contributed to the development of a paper titled Measuring gender equality in the UK: data on violence against women and girls - Findings from the UK Gender Equality Index to accompany a section of the Lloyds Index that explores the current state of violence against women and girls in the United Kingdom. This significant achievement was a testament to Hannah’s dedication and expertise, marking a milestone in her academic and professional journey.

Throughout her time in London, Hannah had the privilege of working alongside influential leaders in the field, including the Hon. Julia Gillard AC, former Prime Minister of Australia and Chair of GIWL. Inspired by their dedication and vision, Hannah gained invaluable insights into women’s leadership on a global scale, challenging preconceived notions and embracing diverse perspectives.

Reflecting on her internship experience, Hannah is filled with gratitude for the opportunities the Crawford School of Public Policy can offer her as a current student. She shares, “I met with women from all over the globe who are shifting obstacles to women becoming leaders and challenging ideas of what leadership looks like through their scholarship, advocacy and research. To be able to bring this understanding and utilise these connections in future study and work opportunities is invaluable.”

With words of encouragement for fellow students, Hannah emphasises the importance of seizing internship or work placement opportunities throughout their studies. “The success of this program has boosted my confidence in data collection and analysis, networking and policy drafting skills”, she explains, “and I have new professional connections to follow up on for potential employment and mentoring opportunities.”

By strengthening her skills to forging meaningful connections within the gender equality sector, Hannah is set to make a lasting impact in her future academic and professional pursuits. With newfound confidence and a wealth of experiences to draw upon, Hannah is ready to embark on the next chapter of her journey, empowered to champion gender equality and pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future.