Honorary Fellow Award

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This award is to honour members of the Society for their significant, substantial and sustained contribution to the Society’s goals. The eligibility criterion is ‘contribution to the Economic Society of Australia in relation to its objectives.’ These efforts may include, inter alia, encouraging the study of economics and diversity of the student cohort, supporting professional development of economists, and/or enhancing understanding by the general public on the scope and application of economics to address today’s challenges. Nominations for this prestigious award can be made by any Branch or member of the Central Council of the Economic Society of Australia. The Award is to be announced and presented at the next Australian Conference of Economists, whenever possible.

The Economic Society of Australia established the Honorary Fellow Award in 2005 with amendments introduced in 2026.

Purpose

This award is to honour members of the Society for their significant, substantial and sustained contribution to the advancement of the Society’s objectives made over a distinguished career or over a substantial period of impactful activity.

Criteria Eligibility

Candidates may be recognised for their significant and substantial contribution in one or more of the following areas:

Enhancing and promoting the study of economics, efforts to increase the diversity of the student and professional cohort, and/or supporting professional development of economists;
Disseminating information on or investigating current economic developments, especially with the purpose to increase the general public’s understanding of economics and its application to contemporary challenges;
Publishing the Society’s journals.

Selection

Nominations for this prestigious award can be made by any Branch or member of the Central Council of the Economic Society of Australia. These can be sent to the Economic Society at admin@ecsacentral.org.au. Each nomination should include how the nominee’s contributions align with the Award selection criteria and evidence that the contribution has been substantial and sustained.

Announcement and Presentation

The Award is to be announced and presented at the next Australian Conference of Economists, whenever possible.

Recipient 2025

The recipient for 2025 is Dr Leonora Risse (read citation)

Past recipients

2024 Dr Paul Blacklow
2023 - no recipient
2022 Philip Norman
2021 Associate Professor Russell Ross
2020 Tom Chan and Buly Cardak
2019 Dr Matthew Butlin
2018 none awarded
2017 Danielle Wood
2016 none awarded
2015 Professor Jeffrey Sheen
2014 none awarded
2013 Professor John Freebairn AO
2012 Andrew Hughes
2011 Professor Paul Miller
2010 Professor Neville Norman
2009 John Macleod
2008 Professors Russell Smyth and Phil Lewis
2007 Professors Harry Bloch and Keith Hancock
2006 Professor Peter Abelson

Central Council