Mary Fifita is the Board Research Officer in the Strategy and Communications department at SBS. In this role she conducts research focusing on domestic and international policy relevant to SBS. Prior to joining SBS, Mary worked as a Researcher with the Lowy Institute for International Policy, where she assisted with numerous projects including extensive work on China’s development assistance, foreign aid and development policy and leadership mapping in the Asia-Pacific region. Mary has a First Class Honours degree from the University of Sydney in Government and International Relations and Sociology and Social Policy. Mary speaks Spanish and Tongan.