Having worked for over 15 years in local government and consulting, Helen has considerable experience public engagement practice. This includes: policy and strategy, participatory and deliberative process design, organisational improvement, facilitation and peer review.

She is an Industry Fellow at the UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance where she has recently completed a PhD exploring the practice and professionalisation of community engagement in Australian local government. She also regularly lectures in the Master of Local Government program at UTS.

Helen also regularly delivers training for the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) where she is also the Chair of the Research Committee.