Prof. Adams was born on the West Tamar and lives with his family in St Leonards, where he also runs a farm.

He was a key architect of ‘A Fairer Victoria’, the Victorian Government’s social inclusion strategy, and has a very strong vision for a socially inclusive Tasmania. His vision is based on his awareness of the issues facing disadvantaged Tasmanians and extensive practical experience in leading responses to complex social issues especially for rural and regional communities experiencing rapid demographic and industrial change.

Prof. Adams has authored numerous publications relevant to social inclusion and was nationally recognised for these contributions through receipt of the 2003 Sir George Murray Award for Poverty: A Precarious Public Policy Idea and the 2004 Sam Richardson Prize for the most influential public policy article for 2004, Navigating the Future.

He has an in-depth understanding of national and international social inclusion issues but is very locally focused and aware of the particular circumstances and needs of the Tasmanian community.

As well as being accomplished in the field of social inclusion and social innovation, Prof. Adams is working with the Tasmanian Government on the Tasmanian Innovation Strategy.

Prof. Adams’ additional roles include:

• Prof. of Management in Innovation at the University of Tasmania
• Prof. with the Australian Innovation Research Centre in Hobart
• Consultant to the Victorian Government
• Director of Northern Tasmania Development
• Board Member of the Launceston Chamber of Commerce
• Board member of PASCAL, the OECD-linked observatory on learning regions