About the Fellowship
Seen Again: Restoring Connection and Belonging in Australia’s Education System
What if the real story of truancy in Australia can only be found by sitting quietly with the young people and families living it? Todd's fellowship is about pausing to listen to the reasons kids slip out of school, the solutions no one has tried, and the systems that keep missing the point. He says he's not here to defend what works or condemn what doesn’t. Todd wants to surface what noone’s noticed, and open up the question: if we truly listened to those most affected, what might modern truancy in Australia reveal about our next steps, and about ourselves?
About Todd
Professor Todd Fernando is the Head of the School of Indigenous Australian Studies at Charles Sturt University. A Wiradjuri–Gomeroi policy strategist and researcher, Todd’s work bridges academia, government, and community, focusing on systems reform, social policy, and belonging. He has served as Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ Commissioner, was appointed Treaty Commissioner in New South Wales, and played a key role in Australia’s recent national rapid review into family, domestic, and sexual violence.
Todd is committed to amplifying the voices too often left out of public debates and bringing humanity and lived experience into the heart of policy and institutional reform.
With nearly two decades of experience, Todd has been instrumental in leading initiatives aimed at challenging systemic inequalities and advocating for policies that better serve historically marginalised and under served communities. His work continues to push for inclusive approaches that prioritise social justice, equity, and community-driven solutions.