Lecturer & Deputy Chair Cultural Inclusion Council, University of Queensland
Faiza El-Higzi is a academic and a recognised practitioner in social change, with over 20 years’ experience in advancing equity, inclusion, and transformative community development. Her impactful contributions have earned her state and national recognition. She is a recipient of the Order of Australia Medal (2020) and the Queensland Government Multicultural Award for Outstanding Individual (2018).
Currently, Faiza is the Deputy Chair of the Cultural Inclusion Council at the University of Queensland, and an advisor to the Queensland government on Domestic and Family Violence, Multiculturalism and Health equity. In these roles, she drives the inclusion of equity agenda in critical social policy initiatives. As Chair of the Ethnic Broadcasting Association Queensland, she champions initiatives for diverse voices in media, enabling representation and inclusivity.
Faiza’s strategic policy expertise spans state and federal government roles, complemented by her significant work in the NGO sector on community development, refugee settlement, and youth engagement. Her extensive academic qualifications in architecture, project management, international business, education, and gender studies empower her to approach social advancement with a comprehensive and impactful perspective.
Faiza continues scholarly contributions at the University of Queensland, while more broadly actively shaping policy and practice to foster a more equitable society demonstrating the importance of leadership and vision in driving systemic change and empowering communities.
