Catriona Jackson is the Editor of Pearls and Irritations and the Presenter of Pearlcast.

Catriona began her working life as a journalist and has remained one by instinct and inclination across a diverse 30-year career, having served at the highest levels in politics, advocacy, campaigning, communications, policy development and universities.

Most recently, she was the lead advocate for the nation’s universities, as chief executive of Universities Australia. Prior to that, she was chief executive at Science and Technology Australia.

She was a senior adviser to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Kim Carr, during the Rudd/Gillard Administration (2007-2013), and managed external relations and communications at the Australian National University.