Introduction
Michael G Breen is a Lecturer in Public Policy (MECAF) at the University of Melbourne (UOM). He held a McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Melbourne from 2018-2020, focussing on federalism in Asia, after completing his PhD at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore in 2017. Michael has since published widely on issues related to federalism and multilevel governance, especially as it pertains to ethnic division and conflict, and reforms in Asia, as well as deliberative democracy in Asia. He has also advised on federal reforms in Nepal, Myanmar and Philippines, and consulted for organisations including the United Nations Development Programme. Before academia, Michael was a senior policy-maker and project manager in government departments in South Australia and Victoria, Australia, in particular in the field of Indigenous rights.
Expert
Michael's research has focussed on and contributed to challenges associated with the development and implementation of political settlements in ethnically divided situations. It covers areas including federalism and multilevel governance, political parties and electoral systems, and deliberative democracy and public participation. He has designed and implemented successful deliberative methodologies in Myanmar to contribute to the resolution of its federalism debate and worked on Nepal's democratic transition and participatory constitution-making process. Michael has co-developed Victoria's innovative Traditional Owner Settlement Act and led the negotiation of comprehensive perpetual settlements under that framework.
Fields of expertise: Inclusive social development / inclusive societies / social inclusion, Participation, Reduction of inequalities / equity / poverty eradication