Meet our team

Project Leaders

Tatjana Buklijas has a background in social studies of science and medicine. She is interested in the ways in which scientific knowledge is created and deployed in changing political and social circumstances.

Anne Bardsley has a background in science and expertise in synthesising evidence for use in policy and public decision-making. Her work is highly transdisciplinary, involving systems thinking and futures methodologies, as well as innovations to support public reasoning and deliberation.

Kristiann Allen has a background in anthropology and has worked at the intersection of science and public policy in multiple contexts internationally, including provincial, federal and multi-lateral systems, through which she has come to appreciate the intricate dance between evidence, political decision-making and public opinion.

Project Team

Jacquie Bay comes from an education background and has experience in developing learning programmes that help people explore their frames of reference with regard to socio-scientific issues.

Jillian Hildreth is a PhD student whose research explores the potential of deliberative democracy methods in health communication. She is using her design and communication skills to support many of the Complex Conversations projects.

Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal (Marutūahu, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngā Puhi) has written and advised extensively on aspects of mātauranga Māori and iwi histories and traditions. Previously he was Professor of Indigenous Development; and Director, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, University of Auckland.

Associates

Jenny Wigley is a researcher working at Watercare, tasked with encouraging public participation in key infrastructure and investment decisions.

Julia Büdler is a former Masters student and Kupe scholar whose project explored the politicians’ views of deliberative engagement processes.

A/Prof Matheson Russell is a political philosopher researching deliberative democracy.

Dr Nicolas Pirsoul, who worked in the early stages of the Watercare citizens’ assembly, continues his association with the team even after his move to Melbourne where he is helping embed deliberative democracy in local government.

Finlay Harvey has the background in human geography. He was project manager at Complex Conversations between early 2023 and early 2025, and he is currently working as engagement coordinator at Boffa Miskell.

Simon Wright specialises in designing and evaluating deliberative approaches to decision-making including using online tools.

John Pennington is interested in deliberative approaches to decision-making, agenda setting and social learning.

Lee Ryan is an experienced facilitator and qualitative researcher.

Alex King is a former Honours student and Kupe scholar who assisted with the transport forum project. He is currently a policy advisor at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

Campbell Guy is a former Masters student whose dissertation outlined the potential of deliberative democracy to improve water governance. Now working in the local government, Campbell is continuing his practitioner and advocacy work in deliberative democracy.