Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre Director John Curtin Distinguished Professor Alan Duncan has been elected a Fellow of the prestigious Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, recognising his significant contribution to economics research and public policy.
Professor Duncan is an internationally recognised economist whose career has spanned more than three decades across Australia and the United Kingdom, combining academic scholarship with a strong focus on applying economic research to real-world policy challenges. He has built an influential international reputation as a leading labour economist, with particular expertise in econometrics and the application of economic research to major public policy challenges.
Professor Duncan’s research has advanced understanding of labour markets, employment and workforce participation, taxation and welfare, inequality and household living standards, while contributing to the development and application of sophisticated econometric methods.
His international standing was recognised in 2000 when he was awarded the Econometric Society’s prestigious Frisch Medal for research published in the world-leading Econometrica scholarly journal.
Professor Duncan’s expertise has extended beyond academia, advising governments and public institutions in Australia and internationally on taxation, labour markets, pensions and household welfare. He has contributed to Federal Senate inquiries, worked with World Bank experts on policy evaluation and served as an International Monetary Fund Mission Expert on tax reform and employment incentives.
As inaugural Director of the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), based at Curtin University, Professor Duncan has built the Centre into a prominent source of independent economic and social policy research designed to inform public debate and help shape policy responses to some of Australia’s most pressing economic and social challenges.
Under his leadership, BCEC has become a prominent contributor to discussions on issues including gender equality, housing affordability, poverty and inequality, and workforce participation.
Curtin University Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Matthew Tonts congratulated Professor Duncan on the national recognition, saying his election reflected the quality and impact of his research.
“Professor Duncan’s election as a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia is a tremendous honour and a testament to his outstanding contribution to economics and public policy,” Professor Tonts said.
“Through his leadership of BCEC, he has helped bring rigorous research into important national conversations, ensuring evidence and economic insight play a central role in understanding and addressing the challenges facing Australian communities.
“This recognition is richly deserved and reflects the high calibre of research and expertise Curtin contributes to Australia and beyond.”
Professor Duncan said he was honoured to be recognised by the Academy and highlighted the importance of research that translates into meaningful outcomes for the community.
“I’m delighted to be elected a Fellow of the Academy and recognised alongside so many distinguished researchers across the social sciences,” Professor Duncan said.
“Good economic research is about more than understanding the challenges facing society. It is about providing the evidence needed to develop better policies and improve people’s lives.
“At BCEC, we work to ensure our research contributes to important conversations about Australia’s economic and social future, and I’m proud of the work our team does to help inform those discussions.”
Established in 1971, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia recognises excellence in social science research and promotes the application of research to public policy and community wellbeing.
The social sciences cover the disciplines of anthropology, demography, geography, linguistics, sociology, management, accounting, economics and economic history, marketing, statistics, history, law, philosophy, political science, education, psychology and social medicine.
For more information about the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, visit here.
