Ashleigh McArthur is a filmmaker and former diplomat from Sydney, Australia. She is the recipient of artist grants from the University Film and Video Association, Ian Potter Cultural Trust and American-Australian Association and was awarded a Provost's Graduate Teaching Fellowship by Stanford in recognition of her potential as an educator.

Before arriving at Stanford, Ashleigh worked as a story consultant with BAFTA-nominated director Jen Peedom (Sherpa, Mountain), and studied at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS). Her first short film,  Pat's Studio, premiered at Australia's leading documentary film festival, Antenna, and screened at the Sydney Museum of Contemporary Art.

Before turning to filmmaking Ashleigh spent eight years living and working in Solomon Islands, Mexico and New York with the Australian foreign service. During this time she contributed to policy on international development aid, human rights and climate change and managed Australia's cultural and public affairs portfolios at the Australian Consulate-General in New York.

She holds a B.A. in Communications and Art History (with Distinction) from the University of Sydney and an M.F.A. in Documentary Film from Stanford University.

‍