Australian Institute of Family Studies appoints new Theme Heads to drive Strategic Research Agenda

The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) has announced four senior appointments to newly established Theme Head roles, marking an important milestone in positioning the organisation to move forward with the implementation of its Strategic Research Agenda (SRA), published in August 2025.

The creation of Theme Head roles is a key element of AIFS’ new operating model, and is designed to promote delivery of high quality, independent research that is responsive to the needs of Australian families aligned with key public policy priorities. Under this model, Theme Heads provide clear leadership across AIFS’ four core research themes, strengthening strategic focus, collaboration and impact with the goal of better supporting families to thrive.

Following an open recruitment process, AIFS congratulates Dr Stewart Muir, Elena Campbell and Dr Kei Sakata on their appointments. Dr Jody Hughes will act in the fourth Theme Head position for the interim. Together, they will lead AIFS’ work across the SRA themes of Child and Family Wellbeing, Child and Family Safety, Families and Society, and Gambling Harm.

While Dr Muir, Dr Sakata and Dr Hughes are internal appointments, Elena Campbell joins AIFS from RMIT University, where she was co-founder and Associate Director of Research Advocacy and Policy at the Centre for Innovative Justice. With more than 25 years’ experience in legal and social policy, Elena brings deep expertise in system reform aimed at the prevention and elimination of violence against women and children, expanding AIFS’ leadership in the Child and Family Safety theme.

AIFS Director (Agency Head), Liz Neville said the appointments reflect AIFS’ commitment to strengthening its role as the Australian Government’s key research agency in family wellbeing, nested within a broader view of Australia’s wellbeing.

“Informed by the Minister for Social Service’s expectations, government priorities, and consultations with stakeholders across the family research, policy and community sectors, these four themes will guide our research directions until 2028 and beyond,” Liz Neville said.

“By investing in strong thematic leadership, we can elevate and expand the evidence base on critical topics impacting families, and work to better inform policy and service delivery and ultimately drive positive outcomes for children, families and their communities.

The Strategic Research Agenda provides a coherent framework that enables AIFS to build cumulative evidence over time, support cross portfolio policy challenges, and maximise the impact of commissioned research.

The Theme Heads will play a critical role in implementation of the Strategic Research Agenda guiding research direction within each theme and extending partnerships with government and other key stakeholders working in support of evidence-based policy and practice for children and families.

The appointments, taking effect in April, are:

• Theme Head, Child and Family Wellbeing – Dr Stewart Muir
• Theme Head, Child and Family Safety – Elena Campbell
• Acting Theme Head, Families and Society – Dr Jody Hughes
• Theme Head, Gambling Harm – Dr Kei Sakata

About the Theme Heads

Dr Stewart Muir – Theme Head, Child and Family Wellbeing
Dr Muir is an anthropologist and Executive Manager of AIFS’ Child and Family Evidence program, with more than 25 years’ experience leading policy relevant research and evaluation across government, academia and consultancy.

Elena Campbell – Theme Head, Child and Family Safety
Elena Campbell joins AIFS from RMIT University, where she is Associate Director of Research Advocacy and Policy at the Centre for Innovative Justice, bringing over 25 years’ experience in law and policy reform in the area of family violence and championing the rights of vulnerable groups.

Dr Jody Hughes – Acting Theme Head, Families and Society
Dr Hughes most recently managed AIFS’ Defence and Veteran Family Research team and has a long history in family and social policy research. She brings extensive experience from senior research roles across the not-for-profit sector and Australian Government.

Dr Kei Sakata – Theme Head, Gambling Harm
Dr Sakata is an economist with more than 25 years’ experience applying advanced econometric methods to policy evaluation, with research focused on gambling harm, evaluation of gambling regulations and policies and financial impact of gambling on families. He has led the Australian Gambling Research Centre at AIFS for the last three years.