Shelley began her university education in the former Department of Government at UQ, completing her undergraduate studies in political science at Australian National University (ANU). Since then, she has completed four postgraduate qualifications, including a Graduate Certificate in Policy Analysis and Master of Public Administration, with a dissertation on national health policy reform.
During her varied career, she has lectured and/or tutored at UQ, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Griffith University in journalism, justice studies and policy analysis to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Shelley also spent a decade (2006–2015) working in various policy roles in several Queensland Government agencies – including Premier and Cabinet, Office of the Coordinator-General and State Development – across several portfolios including health and social policy, intergovernmental relations, infrastructure and planning, and economic development. During this time, she worked closely with senior executives and ministerial staff in policy coordination roles. She also has secretariat experience supporting First Ministers, CEO committees, and government/industry working groups.
During research appointments with four universities, Shelley has supported senior academics on health, public policy and public administration projects. Her writing skills have developed over many years – through journalism, reports to government, ministerial briefing notes, conference papers and journal articles.
Shelley maintains a keen research interest in politics, public policy and public administration. She is delighted to return to UQ in an honorary capacity to the School where her academic journey began in the 1980s.