A/Prof Jill Duncan

Jill is an Associate Professor and University Lead for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the

University of Newcastle. As well as an academic, Jill is an educational leader in disability programs for children and young people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Jill has also had experience as an executive in the public service. 

In her government advisory and university roles, Jill continues to engage with women from various backgrounds, including Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, transgender, neurodivergent, culturally and linguistically diverse, LGBTIQA+ communities, low socio-economic backgrounds who have experienced gender-based violence and discrimination and women with disability, chronic illness and mental illness.  

Jill worked on identifying and implementing actions to reduce inequity, gendered and/or domestic violence and eliminate systemic barriers to education and financial independence.  

Furthermore, Jill has an extensive history of volunteer work, including as Deputy Chair of Disability Council NSW, as a non-executive director of Aussie Deaf Kids and as Editor-in-Chief of Deafness & Education International. 

Jill has a lived experience of disability since early adolescence and understands first-hand inclusion access barriers. She has experienced permanent conductive hearing loss and received an implanted hearing device in late 2021. 

Among her many achievements. Jill is also a NSW Woman of Excellence 2022 finalist.