She then received a Master of Environmental Studies in 1987, a Graduate Diploma in Public Policy in 1993, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1997, all from the University of Melbourne.

[1] Lewis served as a Civil Servant in the State Government of Victoria from 1986 to 1992 and began her academic journey as an NHMRC Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for Health and Society at the University of Melbourne in 1998.

[2] Lewis' research focuses on governance and its evolving structures, highlighting the significant impact of corporate-market hybrid and network models on frontline work orientations.

Her work highlighted contemporary governance practices, while also questioning established procedural norms in public bureaucracy.

[16] Her 2020 research work on the impact of design thinking in public sector innovation labs revealed its potential for reframing policy issues and generating innovative solutions, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by power and politics.

[17] Another prominent aspect of Lewis' work is her earlier research on health policy and partnerships, in which she investigated the power dynamics within the medical profession in Victoria, Australia, highlighting the significant impact of medicine on health policy.

[18] Additionally, she examined the policy environment for chronic disease management in rural and remote Indigenous communities, highlighting successful national and sub-national strategies while identifying areas for improvement in partnerships and workforce development.