Matthew Lesh

Matthew Lesh is a Research Fellow on the Future of Freedom Program at the Institute of Public Affairs.

Matthew’s research focuses on university intellectual freedom, as well as issues related to young Australians including the power of economic freedom, the importance of western civilisation, and science and technology. Matthew also supports the IPA’s campus engagement work through Generation Liberty.

Matthew’s articles have been published in The Australian, Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Age, Brisbane Times, The Spectator Australia, The Huffington Post, The Drum, The Punch, Online Opinion, and Spiked.

He has been quoted in newspapers and been a guest on radio programs across Australia, as well as appeared on ABC News 24, Channel 7’s Weekend Sunrise and Sky News’ Afternoon Agenda and Viewpoint. Matthew has given evidence before a Senate committee on higher education reform, and spoken on university campuses across Australia about free speech issues.

Before joining the IPA, Matthew worked for state and federal parliamentarians, as well as in digital communications. He also founded a mobile application development start-up.

Matthew graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Arts (Degree with Honours), in politics and international studies, and history. While at university he was elected to various representative positions within national student organisations.