George Williams was the Centre’s Foundation Director (2001-2008). He established the reputation of the Centre, rapidly building its profile and its community of academics, focusing on original research of international standard as a basis for wider engagement. An annual constitutional law conference, designed to bring together people from government, the profession, the judiciary and academia, was successful from its initial outing in 2002 and, for many people in the field, it has become a must attend event. In reflecting on the aspirations he had in these early years, George wrote:
“In establishing the Centre I sought to institute projects around questions of public law that were of significance to national and local debates about Australia’s future. This involved as the first and most important step building a body of original research of international standard.
Once done, this enabled the Centre to play a leading role in policy debates through parliamentary and other inquiries, but also via contributions through the media. Our philosophy was based upon the idea that Australians deserve access to credible information about how their system of government works, and that universities have a responsibility not just to produce first-rate scholarship, but to communicate this to the broader community. I also sought to locate the Centre as a meeting point for the wide range of people interested in public law, including those from government, the judiciary and profession.
Establishing the Centre took enormous effort by a range of people. If I was to point to my most significant achievement as Director, it lay in having the good fortune to attract a group of new scholars interested in public law and public policy who themselves were on the cusp of great things. Their efforts as part of our team built a body of exceptional research that was well communicated in academic and wider circles. They also created a vibrant and inclusive culture that over time has been built upon by further generations of scholars."
George’s successor as Centre Director, Andrew Lynch (2008-2013), took the Centre from strength to strength. The number of academic staff and PhD students associated with the Centre grew significantly. Andrew focused on three main areas in particular international linkages and reputation; postgraduate student experience; and collaborative and interdisciplinary links with other Australian academic centres and public organisations. After a transitional period, in which Acting Director Rosalind Dixon (2013-2014) provided energetic intellectual leadership for the Centre, Sean Brennan commenced his term as Centre Director in March 2014. From one staff member in 2001 the Centre has grown incrementally and currently has 14 academic members and 12 associated PhD students.