The Executive Director of the Institute of Public Affairs, Scott Hargreaves, today announced that Ben Crocker has been appointed as a Deputy Executive Director of the IPA, effective 1 July 2026.
Mr Crocker currently serves as University Dean at the University of Austin, Texas (UATX), where, for the past three years, he has played an integral role in the founding and development of the most significant higher education reform effort America has seen in many years.
Born and raised in Queensland, he first went to the USA as an inaugural Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation postgraduate scholar, with stints in Washington, DC and at St Johns College in Annapolis, Maryland. Prior to his time in the USA, he taught at The King’s School in Sydney.
“Ben’s appointment to the IPA’s executive leadership signals our commitment to being at the forefront of the key cultural debates in a manner which reflects the IPA’s commitment to our freedoms and the Australian way of life,” Mr Hargreaves said.
“Ben will be responsible for prosecuting our case for reform of Australia’s education systems. He will oversee research into the key issues facing our education systems, while building on the IPA’s own highly successful education programs in schools and with undergraduates,” he said.
Speaking on his appointment, Mr Crocker said: “Australia is at a crossroads. At few, if any, times in our history have our leaders in government practiced statecraft so recklessly.
“Ballooning federal and state bureaucracies have strangled Australia’s economic and social vibrancy. So too have our school and university systems stifled the development of leaders equipped to address this decline.
“A decaying and ideologically corrupted education system has attacked our national culture, diminished our national intellect, and dulled our national imagination.
“All Australians, especially the young, have been betrayed by the failure of our institutions to exercise prudent, historically-informed public leadership.
“The IPA has recognised that the antidote to this malaise lies in education, to raise a new generation of bold and principled leaders, renewing public awareness of our country’s founding principles, and reviving our national and civilisational imagination.”
IPA Distinguished Fellow, Tony Abbott AC, welcomed the appointment.
“I’m thrilled that Ben is returning to Australia at this crucial time to contribute to the battle of ideas. As a former Ramsay Scholar and foundation dean at UATX he is ideally placed to appreciate western civilisation and its challenges and to remind a wide Australian audience of our great heritage,” Mr Abbott said.
With overall leadership of key research centres for the Australian Way of Life and for Western Civilisation, Mr Crocker will explore and promote understanding of Australia as a nation grounded in the ideas, institutions and values of Western Civilisation. This includes enduring commitments to freedom, prosperity, self-reliance, and nationhood.
Deputy Executive Director, Daniel Wild, who has so ably led the research and policy development activities of the IPA, will continue in that role while also taking on responsibility for the communications and engagement team. In this latter role he will work with experienced journalist and digital communications specialist, Nick Coe, recently recruited by the IPA to implement its Digital First strategy.
“Our research programs and policy documents are bearing fruit with renewed interest by political leaders in key ideas the IPA has been championing for many years, and by coordinating these efforts with our communication programs, Daniel will help ensure we continue to shape the climate of opinion and achieve impact today”, Mr Hargreaves said.
Mr Hargreaves also announced that Dr Andrew Bushnell will be joining the IPA’s long-standing research program on Australians’ rights and freedom, focused on the foundational importance of free speech.
Dr Bushnell will also be analysing emerging threats such as so-called misinformation and hate speech laws, and a two-tier justice system. Dr Bushnell returns to the IPA, having previously led the Criminal Justice Project at the IPA, before leaving to complete his PhD in Philosophy.
