Melissa Conley Tyler

Melissa Conley Tyler is an Honorary Fellow in the Asia Institute of The University of Melbourne, transferring from her role as Director of Diplomacy at Asialink.

She came to the University after serving as National Executive Director of the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) for 13 years. Under her leadership, the AIIA was recognised as the Top Think Tank in Southeast and the Pacific and one of the top 50 think tanks worldwide in the University of Pennsylvania’s Global Go To Think Tanks Index for three years running. In 2017, she co-authored Think Tank Diplomacy, the first-ever book length discussion of the role of think tanks in modern diplomacy.

Melissa is a lawyer and specialist in conflict resolution, including negotiation, mediation and peace education. She was previously Program Manager of the International Conflict Resolution Centre at the University of Melbourne and Senior Fellow of Melbourne Law School.

Melissa is a prolific commentator with expertise in Australian foreign policy, Australia’s key relationships across Asia, G20, MIKTA, international negotiations, conflict resolution, diplomatic practice, soft power, public diplomacy and women in international affairs.