Private Bag 51 TAS 7001, Phone (03) 6226 6394 Fax (03) 6226 2001 www.utas.edu.au

INGLIS CLARK CENTRE FOR CIVIL SOCIETY

Natasha Cica — Profile

Natasha Cica is an educator, change agent and public-interest commentator who is a keen and astute participant in national debates about Australian life.

In recognition of her ability and achievements, in 2012 Natasha is the recipient of a prestigious Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship. Just twelve Australians were selected for these fellowships from over three hundred nominations, with regard to two criteria: outstanding talent and exceptional courage.

Currently Natasha is the Director of the Inglis Clark Centre for Civil Society at the University of , where her brief is to advance the university’s community engagement and thought leadership agenda. This connects with the wider aim of improving the economic, cultural and social vibrancy of Tasmania in the 21st century.

Natasha has previously worked as a lawyer, at public interest think tanks in Europe and Australia, and as a research specialist in the Department of the Parliamentary Library in Canberra. This included secondments to the staff of Petro Georgio MP (during the mandatory sentencing debate in 2000) and Duncan Kerr MP (through the Tampa and 9/11 crises and the 2001 Federal election).

Natasha helped establish online venture newmatilda.com in 2004 as its founding editor, and advised a coalition of arts organisations in a successful advocacy campaign against the then-Howard government’s sedition laws.

In 2006 she was chosen to participate in the Australian Future Directions young leaders’ forum.

Natasha is also the founder of Hobart-based management and communications consultancy, Periwinkle Projects.

Natasha has commented on politics and culture for a wide range of publications, including The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, The Australian Financial Review, The Guardian, Griffith Review, The Mercury, Quarterly Essay, Island and Inside Story.

Natasha holds a BA LLB (Hons) from the Australian National University, an MA (Distinction) in Medical Law and Ethics from King’s College London, and a PhD in Law from the University of Cambridge. She was awarded a National Undergraduate Scholarship, a Lionel Murphy Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship, a Tapp Studentship in Law by Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, and a Rubin Research Fellowship by University College London. Natasha’s book Pedder Dreaming: Olegas Truchanas and A Lost Tasmanian Wilderness was published by the University of Queensland Press in 2011. Pedder Dreaming was officially launched by the Governor-General of Australia at the National Portrait Gallery: “This is a beautiful book. It begs the reader to enter its pages and get lost in its breathtaking beauty. It is a scholarly and insightful exploration of a man, and his passion for the environment.”

Natasha’s recent interview on Radio National’s Artworks program regarding Pedder Dreaming can be heard at www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/artworks/artworks-feature-pedder- dreaming/3679926

Natasha Cica is available to provide public comment and context for many current Australian issues including:

• Leadership • Civil society • Australian identity • Tasmanian culture and politics • Creativity • Gender • Race relations and multiculturalism • Globalisation

For further information or to arrange an interview with Natasha Cica please contact Simone Bird on 0411 968 326 or via [email protected].

Information also available at www.utas.edu.au/provost/inglis-clark-centre

Natasha Cica (Credit, Peter Whyte)

Private Bag 51 Hobart TAS 7001, Australia Phone (03) 6226 6394 Fax (03) 6226 2001 www.utas.edu.au

INGLIS CLARK CENTRE FOR CIVIL SOCIETY