Dr Yvette Selim (née) is the Research and Engagement Manager at the Institute for Public Policy and Governance. She is a pracademic with extensive experience in civic engagement, participatory governance and inclusive public policy.

Over the past two decades, Yvette has led and collaborated on initiatives with government agencies, civil society organisations and international partners in Australia and abroad. Her work spans research, programme delivery and cross-sector partnerships and is grounded in co-design, lived experience and community voice.

She has a strong foundation in peacebuilding, human rights and ethical practice and is committed to strengthening democratic institutions through evidence-informed approaches that foster enduring relationships between institutions and the communities they serve. Her research is practice- and policy-oriented with expertise in qualitative methods and data analysis. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in Nepal and research on child labour, children’s rights, economic livelihoods, gender-based violence and peace negotiations in the Philippines, Sudan and Sri Lanka.

Yvette’s academic background includes law, conflict resolution, bioethics and medical science. She has worked with organisations such as the International Development Law Organization (Sri Lanka), the Australian Human Rights Centre, the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs (US), Baker & McKenzie (Australia and Thailand), The Asia Foundation (Philippines) and the Centre for International Cooperation and Security (UK). She has also held visiting fellowships at the University of Oxford and the Australian National University.

She completed her doctoral studies at the University of New South Wales where she lectured in development studies, international relations, social science and qualitative research methods. She has published widely and serves as a reviewer for several high-ranking international journals.