Dr Faiza El-Higzi OAM is an academic and a nationally recognised social advocate. Her experience spans the public, private, not for profit and academia. Her current involvements include advising the Queensland state government through her roles in the Multicultural Council (2020-2025), the Domestic and Family Violence Implementation Council (2016-2026) and Metro South Health Consumers Council. She has extensive experience in public policy having worked in strategic policy development in Queensland government and in international development with the federal government Australian Agency for International Development. Her work in refugee advocacy and cultural diversity was recognised by a Human Rights Award from the Australian Institute for International Affairs (2013) and in 2018 she was awarded the Outstanding Individual Award by the Queensland Government. In 202 Faiza was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her contributions to the community.
Faiza is currently an academic, research fellow and Deputy Chair of the Cultural Inclusion Council at the University of Queensland. She utilises her skills and knowledge for public good as an executive director with several not-for-profit organisations. Nationally she is an active member of the National Ethnic and Media and Broadcasting Council. At the state level she chairs the Ethnic Broadcasting Association of Queensland a community radio that broadcasts in 53 languages. She also sits on the board of the Queensland Council of Social Services.
Faiza has qualifications in architecture, international business, education and a doctorate in political science. She lives in Brisbane and has two adult children who are equally impressive.