In the field of government-university relations and research-industry partnering, Lucy Merritt currently serves as Senior Principal, Strategic Partnerships - Government and Industry in UQ. Here, she leads initiatives to enhance UQ's engagement with state and federal governments and fosters industry-UQ-government collaborations.
Previously, Lucy was a Campaign Manager at the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, where she advised DFAT on UN election trends. She revitalized Australia's engagement with its UN diaspora, and managed campaigns resulting in the election of Australians into influential UN organisation leadership positions, including to the UN’s highest court. Lucy also served as a Multilateral Policy Advisor at the Australian Permanent Mission to the UN in Vienna. In this role, she represented Australia in UN arms control and nuclear policy discussions, leading diplomatic negotiations and building relationships with over 150 countries to advance Australia's strategic interests.
Her tenures at the Victorian Government's Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions as Manager of Export Development and Investment Strategy and various roles in the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources included developing a $3.5 million project portfolio in collaboration with universities, government and industry. Lucy designed innovative biosecurity systems, facilitated market access and managed Australia’s mango export program. By helping industries tap into global market trends, she showcased her ability to drive economic development.
Lucy holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Marine Biology and Ecology from The University of Queensland, and is certified as an ISO 9001 Auditor and a PRINCE2 Agile Foundation and Practitioner.