Dr Nicole Bieske

Dr Nicole Bieske is the Director of Social Policy and Research Centre (SPARC). She joined BSL SPARC Division on 2 October 2023. Nicole has had an extensive career in social policy, advocacy and research with experience working in government, the community sector, academia, and business.

Most recently, Nicole was a Director at Homes Victoria, where she has led work on a wide variety of issues across social and affordable housing, the Big Housing Build, a program to deliver housing for people living with mental illness and monitoring and evaluation.

Nicole began her professional life as a lawyer before completing a PhD in international law (human rights). Since then, she has worked as an academic at Monash University, as a human rights consultant for the United Nations, for Transparency International, as the CEO for Inner Melbourne Community Legal, and as the Head of Public Policy and Advocacy for Oxfam Australia. Nicole has served as the chair of the International Board of Amnesty International and is currently the Vice Chair of the Board of GenWest, a family violence support service in Melbourne’s west. 

Under Nicole’s leadership we will continue to grow the impact of our policy and research to help achieve Strategy 2030 and our vision for an Australia free of poverty. Nicole is excited to join BSL, work with you all and colleagues from across our organisation, and looks forward to building and growing our partnerships, including with the University of Melbourne.