The Academic Board is a sub-committee of the AFTRS Council and is responsible for the oversight and monitoring of the academic affairs of the School. This includes teaching, learning, research activities, approval of new curricula, major changes to courses, reviewing policies, procedures and guidelines related to the admission, enrolment, assessment, progress and completion of students.
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Link to Prof. Craig Batty
Prof. Craig Batty
Professor Craig Batty is Executive Dean of UniSA Creative (University of South Australia), and for the new Adelaide University, Pro Vice Chancellor Elect of the College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities. He is the author, co-author and editor of 15 books, including Script Development: Critical Approaches, Creative Practices, International Perspectives (2021), Writing for the Screen: Creative and Critical Approaches (2nd ed.) (2019) and Screen Production Research: Creative Practice as a Mode of Enquiry (2018).
He has also published widely on the topics of screenwriting practice, screenwriting theory, creative practice research, and doctoral supervision. Craig is also President of the Australian Council of Deans and Directors of Creative Arts (DDCA), which serves as the national peak body for creative arts higher education and research in Australia.Prof. Craig Batty
Professor Craig Batty is Executive Dean of UniSA Creative (University of South Australia), and for the new Adelaide University, Pro Vice Chancellor Elect of the College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities. He is the author, co-author and editor of 15 books, including Script Development: Critical Approaches, Creative Practices, International Perspectives (2021), Writing for the Screen: Creative and Critical Approaches (2nd ed.) (2019) and Screen Production Research: Creative Practice as a Mode of Enquiry (2018).
He has also published widely on the topics of screenwriting practice, screenwriting theory, creative practice research, and doctoral supervision. Craig is also President of the Australian Council of Deans and Directors of Creative Arts (DDCA), which serves as the national peak body for creative arts higher education and research in Australia.
Job title:
Academic Board Chair
Division:
Academic Board
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Link to Rachael Weiss
Rachael Weiss
Rachael Weiss is a former senior leader in regulatory affairs at The University of Sydney. Her university regulatory affairs career spans twenty years in Australia, the UK and Ireland. Rachael founded the UK and Ireland Accreditation Group, is deputy chair of the Academic Board of the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and is Chair of Higher Education Quality Network (HEQN). Rachael’s fields of expertise lie in regulatory frameworks and governance; her skills include leadership, mentoring, team-building, and organisational change management. Rachael has published three books and brings a passion for the arts and story-telling to her work with AFTRS.
Rachael Weiss
Rachael Weiss is a former senior leader in regulatory affairs at The University of Sydney. Her university regulatory affairs career spans twenty years in Australia, the UK and Ireland. Rachael founded the UK and Ireland Accreditation Group, is deputy chair of the Academic Board of the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and is Chair of Higher Education Quality Network (HEQN). Rachael’s fields of expertise lie in regulatory frameworks and governance; her skills include leadership, mentoring, team-building, and organisational change management. Rachael has published three books and brings a passion for the arts and story-telling to her work with AFTRS.
Job title:
Academic Board Deputy Chair
Division:
Academic Board
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Link to Dr. Katrina Sandbach
Dr. Katrina Sandbach
Katrina Sandbach is a previous academic leader at Western Sydney University’s School of Humanities and Communication Arts who has dedicated her career to empowering creative education and strengthening connections between academia and industry.
Her approach combines strategic vision with practical action – from developing innovative curricula and building partnerships, to providing leadership during organisational transformation. Katrina’s research into Western Sydney's creative industries continues to inform initiatives that bridge education, research and community engagement. She is deeply committed to documenting and advancing creative practice through strategic partnerships, curriculum innovation, and research that maps cultural infrastructure and creative legacy.Dr. Katrina Sandbach
Katrina Sandbach is a previous academic leader at Western Sydney University’s School of Humanities and Communication Arts who has dedicated her career to empowering creative education and strengthening connections between academia and industry.
Her approach combines strategic vision with practical action – from developing innovative curricula and building partnerships, to providing leadership during organisational transformation. Katrina’s research into Western Sydney's creative industries continues to inform initiatives that bridge education, research and community engagement. She is deeply committed to documenting and advancing creative practice through strategic partnerships, curriculum innovation, and research that maps cultural infrastructure and creative legacy.
Job title:
Academic Board Independent Member
Division:
Academic Board
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Link to Dr. Jason De Santolo
Dr. Jason De Santolo
Jason is a Garrwa and Barunggam man and is Professor of First Nations Land Justice in Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Assoc. Dean (Indigenous Research) in the Office of the PVC Indigenous Leadership and Engagement at UTS. As a research scholar and filmmaker, he combines legal training with creative methodologies and practice led approaches to advance Indigenous self-determination and land justice.
Dr. Jason De Santolo
Jason is a Garrwa and Barunggam man and is Professor of First Nations Land Justice in Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Assoc. Dean (Indigenous Research) in the Office of the PVC Indigenous Leadership and Engagement at UTS. As a research scholar and filmmaker, he combines legal training with creative methodologies and practice led approaches to advance Indigenous self-determination and land justice.
Job title:
Academic Board Independent Member
Division:
Academic Board
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Link to Tony Krawitz
Tony Krawitz
Tony Krawitz is a sought-after Australian writer and director, known for his work in film, documentary and television. Tony came to international attention when his 52min drama, Jewboy, which he wrote and directed, premiered at Un Certain Regard at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival. It went on to screen at many festivals including Sundance, and won international awards including the AFI Award for best screenplay in a short film, and the Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for best short film.
In 2012 Tony directed his first feature film, Dead Europe, based on Christos Tsiolkas’ award-winning 2005 novel of the same name. His 2011 documentary, The Tall Man, unravels the events surrounding the mysterious death of Cameron Doomadgee at a police station on Queensland’s Palm Island, and is based on the best-selling book about the incident by Chloe Hooper. It won the Australian Director’s Guild Award for best director, and the Alanis Obomsawin Best Documentary Award. In television, Tony has directed numerous episodes of some of Australia’s most acclaimed television drama, including The Devil’s Playground, which deals with sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Some of his other credits include The Kettering Incident, A Place To Call Home, Secret City, Glitch, Harrow, Firebite and the ABC series Significant Others.Tony Krawitz
Tony Krawitz is a sought-after Australian writer and director, known for his work in film, documentary and television. Tony came to international attention when his 52min drama, Jewboy, which he wrote and directed, premiered at Un Certain Regard at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival. It went on to screen at many festivals including Sundance, and won international awards including the AFI Award for best screenplay in a short film, and the Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for best short film.
In 2012 Tony directed his first feature film, Dead Europe, based on Christos Tsiolkas’ award-winning 2005 novel of the same name. His 2011 documentary, The Tall Man, unravels the events surrounding the mysterious death of Cameron Doomadgee at a police station on Queensland’s Palm Island, and is based on the best-selling book about the incident by Chloe Hooper. It won the Australian Director’s Guild Award for best director, and the Alanis Obomsawin Best Documentary Award. In television, Tony has directed numerous episodes of some of Australia’s most acclaimed television drama, including The Devil’s Playground, which deals with sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Some of his other credits include The Kettering Incident, A Place To Call Home, Secret City, Glitch, Harrow, Firebite and the ABC series Significant Others.
Job title:
Academic Board Independent Member
Division:
Academic Board
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Link to Dr. Nell Greenwood
Dr. Nell Greenwood
Nell Greenwood is an academic leader, screenwriter and creativity advocate with more than 25 years of experience in screen education and international film and television production.
Nell’s career started in content development and she has held several senior industry roles including Head of Development at the Irish Film Board, Head of Development at Natural Nylon Entertainment (home to Jude Law and Ewan McGregor) as well as Head of Development at Element Films (producers of The Lobster and The Favourite) before embarking on a career as a screenwriter. Her writing credits include False Witness for UKTV (Foxtel), which won an AFI, as well as Pride and Joy, which was nominated for Best TV Film at the 46th Monte Carlo TV Film Festival. Nell began teaching and discovered a passion for education, in particular creativity and how to engage and foster students’ brilliance and unique creativity in the classroom. She is also passionate about increasing female representation and diversity within the screen and broadcast industry and forging deeper inter-disciplinary connections across industries here and abroad.
Since 2013 Nell has held multiple senior roles at AFTRS including Head of Screenwriting, Course Leader Masters and Head of Programs and, most recently, Director of Curriculum & Student Registrar. She has a PhD from The University of Sydney on Creativity and the Unconscious in the Screen Arts Classroom.Dr. Nell Greenwood
Nell Greenwood is an academic leader, screenwriter and creativity advocate with more than 25 years of experience in screen education and international film and television production.
Nell’s career started in content development and she has held several senior industry roles including Head of Development at the Irish Film Board, Head of Development at Natural Nylon Entertainment (home to Jude Law and Ewan McGregor) as well as Head of Development at Element Films (producers of The Lobster and The Favourite) before embarking on a career as a screenwriter. Her writing credits include False Witness for UKTV (Foxtel), which won an AFI, as well as Pride and Joy, which was nominated for Best TV Film at the 46th Monte Carlo TV Film Festival. Nell began teaching and discovered a passion for education, in particular creativity and how to engage and foster students’ brilliance and unique creativity in the classroom. She is also passionate about increasing female representation and diversity within the screen and broadcast industry and forging deeper inter-disciplinary connections across industries here and abroad.
Since 2013 Nell has held multiple senior roles at AFTRS including Head of Screenwriting, Course Leader Masters and Head of Programs and, most recently, Director of Curriculum & Student Registrar. She has a PhD from The University of Sydney on Creativity and the Unconscious in the Screen Arts Classroom.
Job title:
Chief Executive Officer; Director of Council
Division:
Academic Board, CEO Office, Council
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Link to Scott Stair
Scott Stair
Scott Stair is a governance and technology leader responsible for oversight of all corporate and educational governance practices at AFTRS, including statutory reporting to government and internal quality assurance. Scott also fulfils the role of Corporate Secretary for the organisation.
His working career has spanned all three tiers of government (federal, state and local) and he has extensive knowledge in a range of legislative and regulatory sectors.
Scott is a graduate of the University of Melbourne, achieving a Masters of Tertiary Education (Management). He also holds a Bachelor of Information Science degree from the University of Newcastle, as well as a number of industry certifications in project management, service delivery and information and communication technologies.Scott Stair
Scott Stair is a governance and technology leader responsible for oversight of all corporate and educational governance practices at AFTRS, including statutory reporting to government and internal quality assurance. Scott also fulfils the role of Corporate Secretary for the organisation.
His working career has spanned all three tiers of government (federal, state and local) and he has extensive knowledge in a range of legislative and regulatory sectors.
Scott is a graduate of the University of Melbourne, achieving a Masters of Tertiary Education (Management). He also holds a Bachelor of Information Science degree from the University of Newcastle, as well as a number of industry certifications in project management, service delivery and information and communication technologies.
Job title:
Head of Governance
Division:
Academic Board, CEO Office
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Link to Essi Haukkamaa-Judge
Essi Haukkamaa-Judge
Essi Haukkamaa-Judge is a Finnish born producer. She has more than 25 years of work experience in the screen industry, working in different production roles in Finland and Australia, and has citizenship for both countries.
Essi has been working in AFTRS from 2020 teaching BA Producing subjects, and as a Discipline Lead Producing (BA) from 2024. In addition to teaching, she runs production companies in Finland and Australia. The projects she has produced include feature documentaries War/Peace and Power of the People, and feature films Deserted and Santa. Essi is also currently preparing a PhD research thesis studying international co-productions from the producer’s viewpoint, at the University of Wollongong.
Essi brings valuable experience leading undergraduate and postgraduate production programs, with a strong focus on student‑centred, industry‑connected curriculum design. As Discipline Lead for Producing and Production, she brings understanding of student pathways into industry and the capability to shape programs that respond to emerging industry needs.
Her leadership reflects AFTRS’ core values, and her position, spanning industry practice and academic leadership, enables her to advocate for both student experience and academic standards.Essi Haukkamaa-Judge
Essi Haukkamaa-Judge is a Finnish born producer. She has more than 25 years of work experience in the screen industry, working in different production roles in Finland and Australia, and has citizenship for both countries.
Essi has been working in AFTRS from 2020 teaching BA Producing subjects, and as a Discipline Lead Producing (BA) from 2024. In addition to teaching, she runs production companies in Finland and Australia. The projects she has produced include feature documentaries War/Peace and Power of the People, and feature films Deserted and Santa. Essi is also currently preparing a PhD research thesis studying international co-productions from the producer’s viewpoint, at the University of Wollongong.
Essi brings valuable experience leading undergraduate and postgraduate production programs, with a strong focus on student‑centred, industry‑connected curriculum design. As Discipline Lead for Producing and Production, she brings understanding of student pathways into industry and the capability to shape programs that respond to emerging industry needs.
Her leadership reflects AFTRS’ core values, and her position, spanning industry practice and academic leadership, enables her to advocate for both student experience and academic standards.
Job title:
Discipline Lead, Producing; Academic Board Teaching Staff Member
Division:
Academic Board, Teaching & Learning
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Link to Zali Hamilton
Zali Hamilton
Zali Hamilton is a keen director/producer in her third year studying Bachelor of Arts: Screen Production at AFTRS.
To the role of Student Member for Council, she brings her passion for AFTRS and its students. Having started studying at another tertiary school, Zali recognises and thrives on the inspiring and supportive environment that AFTRS provides.
Over 2025-20026 she held the role of AFTRS' Student Representative Council Secretariat position where she coordinates their logistics of meeting agendas and minutes, alongside of organising school-wide events for students. Zali will transfer this knowledge and lived-experience of student life into the Student Member for Council role.
Zali’s creative passion lies with sharing Australian stories about women. In her second year of the BA course, she directed her debut 6-minute documentary ‘Maryanne.’
Zali’s passion lies with the people of AFTRS and is known for keenly engaging in conversations with everyone at the school. Zali is excited to transfer her passion for AFTRS into the Student Member for Council position.Zali Hamilton
Zali Hamilton is a keen director/producer in her third year studying Bachelor of Arts: Screen Production at AFTRS.
To the role of Student Member for Council, she brings her passion for AFTRS and its students. Having started studying at another tertiary school, Zali recognises and thrives on the inspiring and supportive environment that AFTRS provides.
Over 2025-20026 she held the role of AFTRS' Student Representative Council Secretariat position where she coordinates their logistics of meeting agendas and minutes, alongside of organising school-wide events for students. Zali will transfer this knowledge and lived-experience of student life into the Student Member for Council role.
Zali’s creative passion lies with sharing Australian stories about women. In her second year of the BA course, she directed her debut 6-minute documentary ‘Maryanne.’
Zali’s passion lies with the people of AFTRS and is known for keenly engaging in conversations with everyone at the school. Zali is excited to transfer her passion for AFTRS into the Student Member for Council position.
Job title:
2026 BAY3 Student; Student Member of Council
Division:
Academic Board, Council