A/Prof. Michael Hatherell

Michael Hatherell completed his PhD at Deakin University in International Politics and has experience teaching at the undergraduate and postgraduate level in a number of disciplines, including international relations, strategic studies, political science, middle east studies and Indonesian language. He was seconded to the Australian Defence College in 2016. Between 2016 and late 2017 he worked in the Curriculum Design and Evaluation team and in late 2017 was promoted to the position of Academic Adviser and convener of the Master of Arts (Strategic Studies) program run in conjunction with the Defence and Strategic Studies Course (DSSC). In 2019, he took up the role of Academic Director under a revised academic services contract with Defence, leading a team of 4 academics and 6 professional staff. Both these roles have provided the opportunity to work with a talented and committed group of senior officers and civilian leaders as they pursue their studies and research interests.

Michael's research interests centre on the nature of political leadership and competition, both at the domestic and international level. He is especially interested in the role of ideas and narratives in shaping political competition. He is the author of two books ('Political Representation in Indonesia: The Emergence of the Innovative Technocrats' and 'The Struggle for the National Narrative in Indonesia') and a number of journal articles and book chapters. He has also published in key national security community publications on populist narratives and ideational power. Michael is a founding editorial board member of the Australian Journal of Defence and Strategic Studies (AJDSS) and a regular contributor to a number of short courses run with Defence.