Dr Rebecca Huntley

Dr. Rebecca Huntley is one of Australia’s foremost researchers on social trends, with a career spanning academia, media, politics, and consultancy. Armed with degrees in law and film studies and a PhD in Gender Studies, Rebecca has dedicated her career to understanding the way people think, behave, and adapt to change.

For nearly a decade, she served as Director of ‘The Mind & Mood Report’, Australia’s longest-running social trends study, providing deep insights into shifting consumer and societal behaviours. She has also led research at Essential Media and Vox Populi and now runs her own research and consultancy business, working closely with environmental organisations such as The Sunrise Movement on the Climate Compass Project. In 2021, she published a major report for Aware Super on how Australia can drive post-pandemic recovery through the intersection of climate action, health, and community well-being.

A prolific writer and commentator, Rebecca has authored multiple books, including ‘The World According to Y’, ‘Eating Between the Lines’, ‘Does Cooking Matter?’, and the critically acclaimed ‘How to Talk About Climate Change in a Way That Makes a Difference’ (Murdoch Books, 2020). Her journalism has been featured in The Guardian, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, Marie Claire, Griffith Review, and Australian Vogue, where she was a feature writer. She also co-presented Common Ground, a podcast for The Guardian, and previously hosted Drive on Radio National.

Beyond her research and writing, Rebecca is deeply involved in the arts and public policy. She serves on the board of The Bell Shakespeare Company, is on the Executive Board of the NSW branch of the ALP, and chairs the Advisory Board of Australian Parents for Climate Action. She has also held board positions with The Whitlam Institute and The Dusseldorp Forum. In 2016, Rebecca was appointed an adjunct senior lecturer at the School of Social Sciences at The University of New South Wales.

With an unmatched ability to translate complex social and environmental issues into compelling narratives, Dr. Rebecca Huntley is a highly sought-after speaker, bringing clarity, humour, and deep insight to audiences across industries. And yes—she’s also a registered Commonwealth marriage celebrant!