Jodie Curth-Bibb

Jodie Curth-Bibb serves as Director of Governance and Social Development at Square Circle and holds a PhD in Political Science from Flinders University, where she previously headed the Public Administration and Policy Masters Program. Her 20-year career spans academia, public service, international development, and media, with extensive experience in institutional reform and capacity development across the Pacific region. Her research focuses on governance, public sector reform, and gender equity, particularly in Pacific Island Countries where she has worked with numerous organizations including the Australian Federal Police, UNDP, World Bank, and various Pacific governments. She has made significant contributions to understanding complex governance challenges, notably through her work on policing gender violence in Pacific Island Countries and public sector capacity development. Her expertise encompasses institutional reform, gender mainstreaming, evidence-based policy-making, Indigenous governance, and complexity theory. Beyond academia, Curth-Bibb has established herself as a leading voice in development effectiveness and innovative approaches to program management, working with organizations across Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Fiji, and Pakistan. Her work bridges theory and practice, particularly in areas of public sector reform, gender equity, and social inclusion in fragile and post-conflict states.