While ACITI’s beginnings are humble, our vision is not. Our purpose is to: build a centre that provides the general public with non-technical information on key trade and investment issues; build the capacity of Australian firms to engage in international trade and investment; and strengthen Australia's policy capability to help resolve difficult issues impeding international economic cooperation.
Increase access to information on the profile, practice, policy and research on Australia's international trade and investment and its impact on the Australian economy and way of life.
Promote increased engagement and collaboration between industry, government, researchers and analysts working on and in international trade and investment.
Promote increased scholarship on international trade and investment issues relevant to Australia.
Provide tailored research and analysis on international trade and investment questions.
ACITI’s purpose is achieved through its four core activities: ACITI Info, ACITI Forum, ACITI Research and ACITI Services
Dr Prudence Gordon
Executive Director
ACITI was founded by Pru Gordon in 2020. Pru has worked on trade and investment issues as an academic, a diplomat, a policy maker, in an industry association and as a senior adviser to three Australian trade and investment ministers. She has had a life-long interest in international trade and investment and their impact on the everyday lives of Australians.
Pru was most recently Senior Adviser to the Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Earlier roles include General Manager, Trade and Economics at the National Farmers Federation, Adviser and Senior Adviser to two former Ministers for Trade, Tourism and Investment, and officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). At DFAT, Pru worked in the Office of Trade Negotiations and the China Economic and Trade Section. She spent three years as a diplomat working in the Trade Branch of the Australian Embassy in Washington DC. Prior to joining DFAT, Pru worked in the School of Politics and International Relations at the University of New South Wales, and the Department of International Relations at the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University. She spent two years as Dean and Acting Head, Fenner Hall, at the Australian National University. She began her career as the Trade Policy and Research Adviser with the Parliamentary Research Service, Parliament House, Canberra.
Pru has a Bachelor of Arts (History)(Honours) from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Arts (International Relations) from the Australian National University, and a Doctor of Philosophy (International Political Economy) from the University of New South Wales.
Mr Bryan Clark
Director
Bryan Clark has over 25 years' experience in industry representation and advocacy. He was most recently Strategic Adviser to the Simplified Trade System (STS). Prior to joining the STS, Bryan spent ten years focused on global trade policy and advocacy at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) where he was the Director of the International Chamber of Commerce, Australia.
Through his involvement in ACCI, Bryan was an active member of a number of international networks and is the initial point of contact in these relationships for:
• The International Chamber of Commerce
• The Business and Industry Advisory Committee for the OECD
• Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Through his position he is often invited to participate in other external groups. Examples include:
• Seconded to the Australian Governments’ Deregulation Taskforce (Treasury, August – November 2019)
• Lead the ACCI project developing a Trade Community System for Australia
• Membership of the Advisory Board to the National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises (Treasury)
• Member of the Peak Industry Roundtable on Modern Slavery (Home Affairs)
• Member of the World Council for the International Chamber of Commerce
• Member of the World Certificate of Origin Council for the World Chambers Federation (within ICC)
• Member of the International Trade Remedies Forum for the Antidumping Commission
• Chairman of the Indian Ocean Rim Associations’ Business Forum (2012–14) and continuing active member.
• Convenor of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Business Partnership Group (2012-2018)
• Member of Industry Reference Group on Trusted Trader (Home Affairs)
• Member of National Trade Facilitation Committee (Home Affairs)
• Member of the Trade Facilitation Initiatives Working Group (Home Affairs)
• Member of the International Policy Advisory Committee (Standards Australia)
• A member of the Melbourne Commercial Arbitration Centre’s Advisory Committee (2012-2016)
• Represented BIAC in the OECD SE Asia Summit in 2013
• Invited to present to the Government of Taiwan in regards to accession to the Trans Pacific Partnership.
• Member of the editorial committee for Business Envoy magazine produced by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (2014-18)
• Vice Chairman, Australia- ASEAN Bilateral Business Council
• Lead projects on Women’s Economic Empowerment and Trade Facilitation in the Indian Ocean Rim (DFAT funded)
Prior to working for ACCI, Bryan held a number of roles in the agricultural sector in Australia, as well as operating a consultancy for 8 years.
Bryan commenced his career in the agricultural sector in the 1980s, farming with his family on a mixed irrigation property near Griffith in NSW, producing mainly rice, wheat, sheep and cattle.
Professor Jacqueline Lo
Non-Executive Director
Professor Jacqueline Lo is Director of the Indo-Pacific Research Centre at Murdoch University. She is also Honorary Professor at the Australian National University. An internationally recognised Humanities scholar and pioneer of Asian Australian Studies, her work on multiculturalism, diaspora and public policy has influenced academic and policy sectors in Europe, Asia and the USA.
Jacqueline is a highly experienced academic leader in management, academic governance, teaching and research training. She has particular expertise in stakeholder engagement, international partnership development and academic diplomacy.
She was formerly Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) of the University of Adelaide (2020-2022). Prior to this, she was Chair of Academic Board at the ANU (2016-2020), as well as Associate Dean (International) for the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences and Executive Director of the Centre for European Studies (co-funded by the European Commission). Jacqueline is the Founding Chair of the Asian Australian Studies Research Network and was awarded the Knight of the Academic Palms in 2014 by the French Government.
Georgie McKeon
Project Director
Georgie McKeon brings significant trade policy experience to ACITI following a long-standing career in the Australian Public Service where she worked on international trade issues at both the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Georgie's keen interest in agricultural trade issues has seen her represent the Australian Government at Free Trade Agreement negotiations with China, Japan, Korea and India, including on tariff negotiations, and Sanitary and Phytosanitary issues.
Most recently, Georgie worked as Chief of Staff to an Australian Senator where she also provided advice on international trade issues.
Outside of work Georgie enjoys spending time with her young family, gardening and entertaining at home. Georgie has a Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies) from the University of Adelaide and a Masters of International Law from the Australian National University.
Oliver Grist
Research & Executive Assistance
Oliver Grist has a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Innovation from the Australian National University (ANU) and is completing a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Renewable Energy Systems also at the ANU. He has a keen interest in international supply chain management and new renewable energy technologies. He is a talented soccer player, runner and cyclist and an excellent cook.
Madeleine Grist
Social Media Manager
Maddie Grist has a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Asian Studies from the Australian National University and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Queensland. She is a Crawford Fund Awardee. In her free time, Maddie enjoys mucking out stables and showjumping.
You can join the ACITI network by contributing your expertise to ACITI Research, Partnering with ACITI on events, and/or becoming a financial Supporter by making a donation.
Experts
ACITI is keen to showcase new research, commentary and analysis on international trade and investment issues relevant to Australia. If you would like your work referenced on the ACITI website, or want to let us know about work done by others, please email research@aciti.org.au
Partners
If you would like to partner with ACITI in running an event or collaborating on a project or research topic related to advancing Australia’s international trade and investment engagement, please email partners@aciti.org.au
Supporters
As a not-for-profit, ACITI relies on donations to support our work. To make a contribution please email us at supporters@aciti.org.au
