Speakers
ANZSSA conferences traditionally feature a small number of high-impact keynote and plenary sessions, bringing delegates together for shared moments of learning, inspiration and discussion.
We are delighted to announce our first keynote speaker for ANZSSA 2026, Dr Stephen Duckett AM. Additional keynote and plenary speakers will be announced in the coming months as the conference program is finalised.
Keynotes
Dr Stephen Duckett AM
Health Economist, Policy Advisor and Commissioner, Australian Tertiary Education Commission
Biography
Dr Stephen Duckett AM is a health economist with a background in health policy and management. He has held top health sector leadership positions in Australia and Canada and literally wrote the book on the Australian health care system (Oxford University Press, 6e, 2022).
A former Deputy Chancellor at RMIT, he was appointed a Commissioner of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission on 1 July 2026. He is an Emeritus Professor with LaTrobe University and has honorary professorial appointments at a number of other Australian Universities.
Dr Duckett is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
Jim Hogan
Activist, Innovator, & Neuroinclusion Pioneer
Biography
Jim Hogan is an internationally experienced public speaker, autistic technology leader, and powerful advocate for neuroinclusion as a strategy for business innovation.
Across a technology career spanning more than four decades, Jim has worked with organisations around the world to solve complex problems, challenge conventional thinking, and turn human difference into organisational advantage. During five years at Google, he served as Chief Innovation Evangelist for Google Cloud and Vice President of Accessibility in Technology for Google’s Disability Alliance.
Jim is also a doctoral researcher at Griffith University. His research examines how neuroinclusive practices can strengthen innovation, improve the way teams work, and produce measurable economic value.