Liz Young is the Research Director of the Queensland Decarbonisation Hub and an applied researcher focused on climate transitions, sectoral decarbonisation, and policy innovation. She brings over 20 years of experience in the Queensland Government, including more than a decade in senior leadership roles shaping environmental and climate policy.
Before transitioning to academia, Liz played a central role in major state-wide initiatives such as the Clean Economy Jobs Bill, which legislated Queensland’s 2035 and 2050 emissions reduction targets; the introduction of bioregional planning as part of national environmental reforms; and the development of Queensland’s Protected Area Strategy. Her leadership has spanned a broad policy portfolio including climate adaptation, environmental planning, protected areas, First Nations economic transition, and sustainability planning for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Liz holds a PhD in Political Science and an Executive Master of Public Administration (ANZSOG), and was an Australian Parliamentary Fellow. She brings deep expertise in how public policy, institutional settings, and stakeholder dynamics shape environmental outcomes, and is committed to bridging the gap between research and policy through co-production, public sector capability-building, and institutional change.
Availability
Dr Liz Young is:
Available for supervision
Research impacts
Liz Young’s research focuses on advancing climate action through applied, interdisciplinary work that supports sectoral decarbonisation and just transitions. At the Queensland Decarbonisation Hub, she co-leads the sector planning theme, working with government, industry, and research partners to identify risks, opportunities, and practical decarbonisation pathways across key sectors.
Her academic and applied research draws directly from her policy background, enabling her to co-design research that aligns with government priorities while challenging existing assumptions and institutional constraints. Her work has informed Queensland’s approach to emissions reduction and transition planning and is increasingly influencing how policy is made and implemented in complex, contested environments.
Liz’s contributions extend beyond scholarly publications to include strategic advisory work, policy frameworks, and collaborative projects that support decision-making under uncertainty. Her expertise in institutional reform, co-produced knowledge, and transition policy continues to inform practice across government and industry, with a particular focus on accelerating climate transitions in politically and economically sensitive contexts.
