Women in Strategic Policy Program

Girls Run the World is excited to be partnering with The Australian National University’s Strategic and Defence Studies Centre to present the Women in Strategic Policy program. Supported by a Strategic Policy Grant from the Department of Defence, the program will train and support young women to publish in and contribute to Australia’s strategic debate. Over the next two years, the program will support the publication of over 40 opinion articles and 10 policy papers - all authored by women under the age of 35.

Read our latest publication

Girls Run the World and the Australian National University’s Strategic and Defence Studies Centre are proud to present the second edition of Voices of the Future. This publication was authored by alumni of the Women in Strategic Policy program, discussing the “blank spots” in our strategic conversation - issues and regions that remain under-analysed -and the “blue-sky” ideas that can help Australia’s defence policy keep pace with rapid change. We encourage policymakers to engage with their work, consider their recommendations, and take active steps to integrate young Australians into the national security conversation - not just as the leaders of tomorrow, but as contributors today.

Read it here

The program

  • Training

    A series of five virtual workshops will held across 2024 and 2025. Each three-day workshop will include speakers and panels with deep expertise across Australia’s strategic priorities, as well as training on how to write and publish. Participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to commentate on and shape policy.

  • Publishing

    The program will support the publishing of over 40 opinion articles on Australia's strategic priorities in leading publications. They will receive mentorship and editing support from the program along with connections to both academic and mainstream media.

  • Contributing to policy

    Ten participants will be chosen to write policy papers which will be published as a part of The Australian National University’s Centre of Gravity series. Widely read by policymakers, these papers will provide participants with the opportunity to have their voices elevated at a national level.

  • Across three intensive days of online training, these workshops aim to equip participants with the skills and opportunities to contribute to Australia’s defence discourse. The program is open to all young women between the ages of 18 and 35 with a demonstrated interest in Australian foreign, national security, strategic and/or defence policy. Participants will gain: 

    • An understanding of Australian Strategic Priorities, particularly ones that relate to their fields of interest or existing areas of expertise

    • A foundation for writing opinion articles for both academic and mainstream media 

    • A writing-ready idea and outline for an article

    • A pitch for editors that they have received feedback on from their peers 

    • A network of peer and professional supports to assist them as they begin writing, pitching, and publishing 

  • The first Voices of the Future paper was published in July 2025. Featuring seven WISP alumni, the paper addressed the need for AUKUS to actively include the voices of young people in order to build a strong and sustainable social license. The report can be read here.

  • Stay tuned for more info in early 2026!