The Regional Australia Institute team have a wealth of experience in regional research, policy-making and community consultation.
The RAI team works under the strategic direction of the Board and in conjunction with input from the Research Advisory Committee and Research Fellows.
Meet the team below.
LIZ RITCHIE
co-CEO
BArts(PubRel), MAppSc(OrgDyn)
Liz’s primary purpose at the RAI is to make a difference through providing leadership, engagement, information and connectivity. Heralding from country NSW, she understands the issues impacting regional Australia and has designed and executed programs across Australia to engage in economic and social issues affecting our regions.
DR KIM HOUGHTON
co-CEO
BSc(Hons), PhD(Econ)
Kim manages the RAI’s policy and research portfolio to ensure the Institute’s work has practical application and supports a better policy environment and more vibrant regional economies. Having worked on regional economic development in Australia for almost 20 years, Kim has a passion for engaging, motivating, informing and connecting entrepreneurial business owners.
HAYLEY ACHURCH
Senior Researcher
BSc(EnvBio)(Hons), BInterdis(Sust), GradCert(PA)
Hayley uses her experience in government and research to deliver a broad range of applied research projects which inform national, state and local government policies.
AMANDA BARWICK
Editor in Chief
BBus (Major in Journalism)
Amanda is a media professional with more than 20 years industry experience across Australia. Having worked for media organisations, government, industry groups and agri-political organisations, Amanda has a true passion for, and understands, regional Australia.
RICHARD BEATON
Senior Data Analyst
BA(Computer Science)
Richard administers our research database and brings a creative approach to data analysis.
DR KYLIE BOURNE
Lead Researcher, Regions in Transition
BA, MAE, PhD (with Distinction)
Kylie is a researcher with extensive experience in knowledge brokering and research communication. She has worked in the policy space across the public, not-for-profit and higher education sectors. Kylie has published academic research and media commentary on a variety of social and public policy related issues.Kylie is passionate about regional issues. She lives in regional Australia and volunteers as an Ethics teacher and coordinator in NSW schools in the Yass Valley region.
NINA DAVIS
Graphic Designer and Communications Assistant
B GraphicDes, BA(Hons)
Nina is passionate about visual communication and the power of distilling content into easy-to-digest graphics. She creates visual materials to complement RAI’s research and ensures everything is visually on-brand and presented in a memorable format.
GERALDYNE HOW
Researcher
BComm, BSc(Hons), MEnv
As a Research Assistant, Geraldyne provides research support and contributes to work across a range of RAI’s research and policy projects.
DR ANGELA LEHMANN
Lead Researcher, Future of Regional Jobs
BComm, BA(Hons), PhD (Sociology)
Angela is a social scientist who grew up in rural NSW. She has worked in policy analysis in the UK before spending ten years researching communities and changing working lives in international settings. Angela has published two books on migration, diversity and China and has presented her work around the world. Having spent time abroad, Angela is excited to be focused on issues closer to her regional Australian home.
EMILY PILLOW
Events Coordinator
B. Mgmt
Having grown up in rural NSW, Emily understands the importance of curating events to bridge the gap between regional communities. She is passionate about organisation and strives to ensure all events reflect the perspectives of our diverse group of stakeholders.
SHYLA VOHRA
Migration Director
B.A, LL.B, LL.M
Shyla Vohra has over 20 years of experience in the migration and refugee sector. Formerly with the United Nations, Shyla has worked on migration issues in Australia, Europe and the Pacific. An Indian-born Australian, she is passionate about working toward successful settlement outcomes that benefit both Australian communities and migrants themselves.
BEN WALSH
Research Assistant
BA
Ben is responsible for working across a number of different projects in a research support role. He enjoys unearthing new pieces of information and collating them to form a narrative or story.
