Professor Caitlin Byrne is Director of the Griffith Asia Institute and a CPD Faculty Fellow. She is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute for International Affairs (AIIA). Caitlin's research is focused on Australian diplomacy with a special interest in Australia's engagement in the Asia-Pacific region. Most recent research projects explore the role of leadership, soft power and public diplomacy-including people-to-people connections developed through international education, culture and sport-in developing Australia's regional influence, relationships and reputation. Caitlin brings expertise in executive education and currently delivers training on Soft Power & Public Diplomacy, and International Policy & Tradecraft through Australia's Diplomatic Academy in Canberra. She consults on occasion to government in the areas of strategic foreign policy and diplomatic practice. Prior to joining academia, Caitlin had established a professional career spanning strategic management, legal, foreign and social policy roles in government, business and community sectors.

Caitlin’s research project for the Center is titled 'Public Diplomacy and the United Nations Security Council: Securing a Seat at the Top Table'.