Davis graduated with first-class honours[3] in political science[5][6] at the University of New South Wales. His thesis supervisor was journalist and public intellectual Donald Horne,whom he cites as a strong influence. He was offered a journalism cadetship,but turned it down and in favour of undertaking a PhD at the Australian National University.[3] After this,he worked briefly the ABC's Canberra newsroom.[4][2]
In 1982 he took a few months off working on his doctoral thesis and worked as a public servant on the inquiry into the public service,under the Fraser government.[4][3]
Davis served simultaneously as an academic while appointed to various roles in government. He served as Commissioner for Public Sector Equity with the Public Sector Management Commission from 1990 to 1993,and as director-general of the Office of the Cabinet from 1995 to 1996 under Queensland Premier Wayne Goss.[9][7][4]
Davis began his academic career at Griffith University. He commenced as a lecturer in public policy in 1985 and was appointed as a professor in 1998.[7] While there,he "emphasised social justice,diversity and the university's public mission".[4]
Davis became third vice-chancellor (VC) and president of Griffith University in January 2002.[7] As VC,he oversaw the establishment of the Griffith University School of Medicine and the acquisition of the former South Brisbane Library,an historic building on the South Bank which was refurbished to house Griffith Film School. He also replaced the university's coat of arms,as part of a major rebranding.[10]
In January 2005 he was appointed vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne,[7][4] and led the introduction of the university's "Melbourne Curriculum" academic structure.[3]
For nearly 14 years Davis served as vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Melbourne and as professor of political science in the Faculty of Arts.[11] During his tenure there,he replaced 96 undergraduate degrees with six,increased the budget from $1.1 billion to $2.56 billion,and expanded the intake of international students.[12]
Paul Ramsay Foundation
In December 2018,Davis was appointed the CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation,[13][8][5] starting the position in January 2019. The foundation is the largest philanthropic endowment in Australia,and uses social science research to direct funding to disadvantaged communities.[14]
Davis publishes on public policy.[3] He was founding chairman of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG)[8] in 2002,[19] and continued to play an important role there,including chairing the research committee,until his 2022 appointment as PM&C Secretary.[20]
In 2008,Davis co-chaired,with the prime minister (Kevin Rudd),[21] the Australia 2020 Summit[3][5] and,in the same year,served as a member of the Innovation Taskforce,an expert group commissioned to review Australia's research and innovation systems.[21]
In 2010 Davis presented the ABC's 51st Boyer Lectures series,speaking on higher education in Australia.[22][3][8][21]
As of 2022[update] he was patron of Australia 2021,a non-profit organisation focused on building research networks on issues impacting Australia's future.[5]
Davis received the Centenary Medal on Australia Day 2001,"in recognition of contribution to public service",[1] and on 26 January 2002,Davis was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia,the highest Australian honour,for his "service to public administration,particularly as an advocate for good governance,constitutional reform and the creation of infrastructure to enable the development of a "knowledge-based" nation,to tertiary education in the field of political science,and to the community."[25][7]
There are buildings named after him on the campus of Griffith University at Nathan (named Glyn Davis Building in 2010),[7] and the Melbourne School of Design at the University of Melbourne Parkville,opened in 2010.[27]
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