Ben Hillman

Ben Hillman is a political scientist, public policy researcher and advisor. His research examines policies and mechanisms for promoting political inclusion and safeguarding minority rights. Ben is author or editor of five books (see publications tab for more info), and is currently working on a new book on China’s ethnic policies.

Ben has spent more than 10 years living and working in China and Indonesia. He also has experience working in Japan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Lebanon, Nicaragua and Ukraine. Ben has worked as an advisor to the United Nations and to national governments on governance reform, political inclusion, and conflict.

Ben is Director of the Policy and Governance Program at Crawford, Convenor of the Indigenous Policy Specialisation in the Master of Public Policy, and Editor at East Asia Forum.

• Chinese politics and public policy
• Policies and mechanisms for political inclusion
• Informal institutions in politics and public policy making
• Ethnic politics and ethnic conflict
• Governing diversity in multi-ethnic states
• Political change in Asia
• Democracy and democratisation

Ben teaches The Political Architecture of Policymaking in the Master of Public Policy program. He also convenes Applied Policy Project, which brings groups of students together to work on real problems for public sector organizations.

In 2017 and 2018 Ben is co-convening the in-country study program “The Political Economy of Myanmar” at the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs.

He supervises PhD students working on Chinese politics and public policy, ethnic policies, the governance of diversity, political institutions, political economy, patronage and corruption, and minority rights.