Dr. Alison Preston

Biography

Alison Preston is a labour economist whose work sits at the intersection of economics, industrial relations, and social policy. Her research focuses on gender inequality in work and retirement, with particular expertise in wage determination, pay equity, non-standard employment, and financial literacy. Recognized nationally and internationally for her contributions to understanding labor market structures and retirement income systems, she is pioneering collaborative research on the gender gap in financial literacy. Her career has spanned both academia and policy, and she has developed a research agenda centered on gender inequality in labor markets and superannuation. Her work combines quantitative analysis with institutional and policy perspectives, producing research that is directly relevant to public debate. Preston has held significant editorial appointments, including Associate Editor for the Industrial Relations Journal and the Economic Record. She has received major awards for research excellence, such as the 2025 Austin Holmes Award from the Economic Society of Australia, WA Branch, for her distinguished contributions to economics. Furthermore, she regularly engages in public policy debates and serves on editorial advisory boards, currently holding the position of President for the WA Branch of the Economic Society of Australia.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards