Laura Hougaz is an experienced senior academic, researcher and manager with extensive experience in the public and private Australian higher education sectors. She has received several university and community awards including the Vice Chancellor’s Prize for Excellence in Internationalisation, has attracted major sources of funding for a broad range of research projects and study programs, and successfully managed large complex research and special projects. More recently Laura has worked as National Senior Researcher (Policy & Research) and Editor-in-Chief of The ACPET Journal for Private Higher Education with the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET). Laura is currently employed as Relationships Manager for the Education First Youth Foyers program in Melbourne, Australia.