Women in Macroeconomics Workshop 2024

Following the launch of this workshop by the University of Sydney in 2022, and the second workshop in Melbourne jointly organized by the Department of Economics, University of Melbourne, and the Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics, Monash University, 2023 the third workshop was hosted at the Australian National University in Canberra in 2024.

The objective of the workshop is to bring together women in macroeconomics, broadly defined. The workshop provides an informal setting for participants to discuss their research. Early career researchers and PhD students are encouraged to participate.

2024 Plenary Speaker & Panel

Synergies between Policymakers and Academics

Plenary Speaker:

Dr Sarah Hunter is the Chief Economist and Assistant Governor (Economic) at the Reserve Bank of Australia, a position she has held since January 2024. In this role, she is responsible for the Bank’s Economic Analysis and Economic Research departments and is the chief economic advisor to the Governor and the Board. Before joining the Bank, Sarah was the Head of Macroeconomic Conditions at the Commonwealth Treasury, where she oversaw the analysis of current conditions and economic forecasts and advised the Government on a broad range of economic and policy issues. Prior to that, she helped establish the Americas, Asia Pacific and Australian offices at Oxford Economics, progressing to the role of Chief Economist in Sydney, and was a Partner at KPMG in the Economics and Tax Centre. Sarah holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford, a master’s in economics degree from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Cambridge.

Panelists:

Victoria Anderson, Deputy Secretary, Small Business, Housing, Corporate and Law Group, Australian Treasury
Renee Fry-McKibbin, Distinguished Professor, Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis, ANU
Meghan Quinn, Secretary, Department of Industry Science and Resources
Jenny Wilkinson, Secretary, Department of Finance

This panel explored how we could best combine the rigorous research and analytical skills of academic economists with the practical insights and experience of policymakers to shape good economic policy. The discussion covered best practices for translating academic research into actionable policy, different expectations of policy institutions and universities, the role of public debate, overcoming communication differences, and designing joint research projects that addressed pressing economic issues while maintaining academic rigour. This session was designed for economists from academia and policymaking who are committed to leveraging their expertise and leadership to influence future economic policy.

Program Committee and Organizers:

Elena Capatina: Research School of Economics, Australian National University
Creina Day: Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Renee Fry-McKibbin: Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Sephorah Mangin: Research School of Economics, Australian National University

Workshop program: program_women_in_macro_iii_v3.pdf