Emerging Leaders in Australia Africa Diplomacy (ELAAD) Program

The Emerging Leaders in Africa and Australia Development (ELAAD) Program brings together postgraduate students and early-to-mid-career diplomats from Australia and Africa to build the next generation of leaders in Australia-Africa diplomatic relations.

ELAAD Program

Building the Next Generation of Australia-Africa Diplomacy.

Program Vision

ELAAD brings together emerging scholars and practitioners in Australia and Africa to enhance ‘Australia-Africa literacy’ and ‘academic diplomacy’ among our next generation of diplomatic leaders.

Objective 01

Diverse & Ongoing Network

To create a diverse cohort and ongoing network of emerging leaders in Australia-Africa diplomatic relations from among postgraduate university students and junior/mid-career diplomats across Australia and the African continent.

Objective 02

Expert Knowledge & Professional Skills

To provide an opportunity for this cohort to develop expert knowledge and professional skills in Australia-Africa relations through a customised and facilitated annual online program engaging with leading scholars and experts, journalists, senior diplomats and other policy practitioners.

Objective 03

Innovative Policy Ideas

To draw on the collective knowledge, expertise and ideas of this cohort to generate innovative policy ideas and meaningful socio-cultural exchanges for enhancing international relations between the African continent and Australia, including to develop collaborative solutions to global challenges.

Program Participation

Who Can Participate?

50 Fellows Annually

Up to 50 postgraduate students and early-career diplomats selected each year from across Australia and the African continent.

25+ Universities

Representing leading academic institutions from both regions, creating a truly trans-continental network of emerging leaders.

12 Fortnightly Seminars

Interactive online sessions held every two weeks, featuring expert speakers and facilitated discussions on key diplomatic topics.

Program Framework

Curriculum & Methodologies

Expert-Led Seminars

Engaging with leading scholars, experts, journalists, senior diplomats and other policy practitioners through a customised and facilitated annual online program.

Policy Labs & Workshops

Collaborative problem-solving sessions where fellows develop innovative policy ideas and meaningful socio-cultural exchanges for enhancing international relations.

Mentorship & Networking

Direct engagement with senior diplomats, academics, and policy leaders building a sustainable professional network across the Australia-Africa diplomatic community.

In-Person Forum

Annual culminating workshop in Africa, providing immersive diplomatic experience and direct engagement with regional policy makers and institutions.

Program Leadership

ELAAD Program Staff

Co-Convenors

Associate Professor David Mickler

Dean Global, Africa & Director, Centre for Australia-Africa Relations Curtin University, Perth, Australia Co-Chair (Australia), Australia Africa Universities Network

Professor Christopher Isike

Head, Department of Political Sciences & Director, African Centre for the Study of the United States University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa President, African Association for Political Science

Associate Professor Patrick Maluki

Chair, Department of Diplomacy and International Studies University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya Chairman, Foreign Service Academy Council, Kenya

Professor Matthew Neuhaus

Honorary Professor (International Law), College of Law Australian National University, Canberra, Australia Former Australian Ambassador/High Commissioner (Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Netherlands)

Program Ambassadors & Welfare Officers

Fridah Njoki

Program Ambassador

Peter Mbuva

Program Ambassador

The ELAAD program acknowledges the intellectual and organisational work of the ELAAD Program Ambassadors in helping to develop and promote the program as well as support the Fellows during the workshop trip.

Program Administrator

Ruvi Goredema

AAUN Secretary (Australia) Program Administrator Supporting travel arrangements for the workshop trip

50 2025 Nominated Fellows

12 Fortnightly Seminars

2026 Final Africa Forum Workshop

Building research partnerships since 2012

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