Tanya Spisbah

Tanya Spisbah was recently appointed Head, Strategic International Engagement, University of New South Wales. From 2014-2017, Ms Spisbah was a diplomat at the Australian High Commission, New Delhi, specialising in technology diplomacy for inclusive, sustainable growth. She led the bilateral health agenda resulting in Prime Ministers Turnbull and Modi exchanging an MoU for Health and Medicine, paving the way for cooperation in digital health. Other areas of policy leadership included smart cities and infrastructure, fintech and investment. In previous roles in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ms Spisbah has served in Russia and Iraq. Ms Spisbah has negotiated free trade agreements with a number of Asian partners, led Australia’s education agenda in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and represented Australia at the World Trade Organization on intellectual property and environment. Ms Spisbah was formerly a lawyer with Minter Ellison, specialising in IP and technology. Ms Spisbah is passionate about the Australia-India relationship. She holds degrees in law, philosophy and economics and a Masters of Laws specialising in intellectual property, international trade and development.