Professor Emeritus Russell Trood first joined Griffith University in 1991.

As Director of the Griffith Asia Institute from 2015-2016 and as Director of Griffith’s Centre for the Study of Australia-Asia Relations from 1991 to 2003, he made an outstanding contribution to raising the profile of Griffith’s research expertise in Asian studies and international relations.

In addition to undertaking significant research in the areas of executive coordination of foreign policy, Australia’s engagement in North East Asia, and multilateral diplomacy, Professor Trood also taught a wide range of graduate and undergraduate courses on many different aspects of international relations. His ability to synthesize academic rigour with policy-relevant analysis provided crucial knowledge transfer to a generation of students and scholars.

As Director of the Griffith Asia Institute, Professor Trood oversaw Griffith’s successful engagement with the Brisbane G20 Summit in 2014. In particular, he led the University’s involvement in the landmark G20 Pre-Summit Conference in partnership with the University of Toronto, the Lowy Institute for International Policy and the G20 taskforce based in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

As a Senator for Queensland between 2005 and 2010, Professor Trood was a highly active member of several parliamentary committees, serving as Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Following his term as Senator, he became the Special Envoy of the PRIME minister of Australia for Eastern Europe. In this position, he played a crucial role in driving Australia’s successful bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

In 2016, Professor Trood was conferred the title of “Professor Emeritus” by the Griffith University Council for his distinguished contribution to scholarship and his outstanding service to the University community.