Empathy and objectivity: must public servants choose?
Empathy and objectivity: must public servants choose? The Bridge Live, hosted by ANZSOG and IPAA
In partnership with Australian and New Zealand School of Government (ANSZOG), IPAA presents a focused discussion on how empathy is often described as a core public service value. Yet in practice, it can feel in tension with the expectations of neutrality, objectivity and evidence-based decision-making.
So how do you apply empathy in a way that strengthens, rather than compromises, your professional judgement?
In an environment where public trust, complex policy challenges and community expectations continue to evolve, the ability to understand lived experience, and translate that into effective decisions, is becoming an essential capability.
Join us for this thought-provoking forum led by Bridge Editor Maria Katsonis, featuring Dr Assel Mussagulova (University of Sydney) and others as we explore what empathy looks like in practice across the public sector.
Drawing on recent research published in the Australian Journal of Public Administration and a Bridge research brief this session will unpack how public servants are applying empathy in their day-to-day work, from engaging communities and shaping policy, to navigating competing priorities and making complex decisions.
You will gain practical insights into:
- how empathy can enhance, rather than undermine, impartial decision-making
- what empathetic practice looks like in real public sector contexts
- how you can apply empathy to improve outcomes for your stakeholders, your team and your organisation
Whether you are working in policy, service delivery or leadership, this session will challenge assumptions and provide you with practical ways to integrate empathy into your work.
Speakers
Maria Katsonis
Industry Fellow, Public Policy
School of School Political Sciences
University of Melbourne
Maria Katsonis is a Public Policy Fellow at The University of Melbourne where she teaches policy design and implementation at a post graduate level. She has 20 years’ experience in the Victorian Public Service as a senior executive and has a deep understanding of public policy and public management. She held the roles of Director, Governance and Director, Equality in the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) and served as Special Adviser to the Secretary of DPC. She was also the Executive Director of Public Policy and Organisation Reviews at the Victorian Public Service Commission where she led governance and service delivery reviews at the request of the Premier and Ministers.
Maria has a Master of Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University where she was named a Lucius Littauer Fellow for academic achievement and commitment to public service. A Fellow of Leadership Victoria, Maria was named an Australian Financial Review/Westpac Woman of Influence in 2016 for her leadership in diversity and inclusion. She is an associate editor of the Australian Journal of Public Administration.
Dr Assel Mussagulova
Lecturer, University of Sydney
Assel Mussagulova is a Lecturer in Public Policy and Public Administration at the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Sydney. Her research interests lie at the intersection of public administration, human resource management, and public policy. She is particularly interested in how bureaucratic structures and institutions shape individual attitudes and motivations, and how to design public sector management policies that leverage these motivations for the public good. More narrowly, her research focuses on what drives individuals to join public service and what sustains or hampers their desire to create public good while employed in the public sector. This includes individual differences, cultural, and larger environmental, factors, such as bureaucratic systems and economic conditions. Her bigger research agenda is about contributing to scholarship on building more efficient, empathetic, and attractive civil service systems.
Panellists
Tracey Hall
Sheriff of NSW
Tracey Hall PSM is the 24th Sheriff of New South Wales. With over 40 years’ experience across policing, legal practice and public service, she brings strong strategic leadership and a commitment to justice and community safety.
She began her career in the NSW Police Force in 1981, later qualifying in law and working as a Police Prosecutor and private solicitor. She held senior roles in Victims Services, the Victims Compensation Tribunal and Court Services before her appointment as Sheriff in 2013.
Sheriff Hall leads operations across 180 locations, overseeing court security, jury services and civil enforcement. She has driven major reforms, including modernising enforcement, strengthening court security, and establishing the NSW Sheriff and Justice Academy.
Her service has earned multiple honours, including the Public Service Medal and National Police Service Medal.
David Hartley
Acting Deputy Director - General Queensland Health
David Hartley has spent the past 27 years with Queensland Ambulance Service, beginning his career as a paramedic and has experience across a range of executive roles, most recently as Chief Operating Officer in QAS, where his role had a similar focus on quality and patient outcomes across eight regions.
David is deeply passionate about empowering our workforce through support, innovation, governance and technology to improve patient outcomes across Queensland. He is committed to delivering public value in his role through his leadership and the promotion of effective and strong teamwork.
David has a Masters of Public Sector Leadership and has recently completed a Masters of Public Administration.
Event Details
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Time:
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1:00PM – 2:00PM (AEST/AEDT)
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When:
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Tuesday, 23 June 2026
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Where:
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MS Teams
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Cost:
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Free
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Be at your best, for NSW.
Register now to secure your spot.
Registration
Registration ends 23/06/2026 1:00 PM AUSEST