Victorian Launch of Power in Numbers: Celebrating Trailblazing Women in Economics

Victorian Launch of Power in Numbers: Celebrating Trailblazing Women in Economics

Who has shaped economics in Australia, and whose stories have been left untold? Join WEN Victoria and the University of Melbourne’s Economics Department for the Victorian launch of Power in Numbers, a new book by economists Melissa Bray and Catie Bradbear that shines a light on sixteen remarkable Australian women in economics whose contributions have helped shape policy, academia, business and public life over the past two centuries.

Through interviews, historical research and personal stories, Power in Numbers explores the careers, challenges and achievements of women who broke new ground in a profession where they were often the exception rather than the norm. In this event, authors Melissa Bray and Catie Bradbear will be joined by Danielle Wood, Chair of the Productivity Commission and one of the economists featured in the book, for a conversation about the stories behind the book, the progress of women in economics and the opportunities still ahead.

Event Details

Date: Friday 23 October
Time: 11.30am-1.00pm
Location: Woodward Conference Center, Level 10, Melbourne Law School, 106/185 Pelham Street, Carlton 
Registration: This event is free for members and non-members (click here to join)

Registrations close Friday 16 October, unless booked out prior.

Our speakers

Our speakers bring together perspectives from national and state policy and industry practice.

Catie Bradbear is an economist and senior executive with the Productivity Commission who has delivered inquiries on pressing economic, social and environmental issues. She has advocated strongly for greater representation of women in economics, through leading mentoring programs and as an inaugural member of the executive committee of the ACT Women in Economics Network. 

Melissa Bray is an economist, author and former Treasury senior executive. A member of the executive committee of the ACT Women in Economics Network, her first book, Australian Carillonists, was highly commended in the 2025 ACT Literary Awards and she currently writes fortnightly opinion pieces for the Australian Financial Review. Melissa is a visiting fellow at the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute at the Australian National University.

Danielle Wood is Chair of the Productivity Commission. She leads the Commission in providing evidence-backed research and policy advice to the Australian Government. Prior to joining the Commission, Danielle was CEO of the Grattan Institute. Before that, she worked in senior roles at the ACCC and in economic consulting. She started her career as a graduate at the Productivity Commission. Danielle is an Honorary Fellow and former President of the Economic Society of Australia, was the co-founder and first Chair of the Women in Economics Network and is one of the economists featured in Power in Numbers.

Sponsored by the Women in Economics Network and Department of Economics at University of Melbourne