The Women in Economics Network, part of the Economics Society of Australia, will host the 2026 Women in Economics Retreat as an in-person event, from Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 November at The Hilton, Surfers Paradise, Queensland.
The Retreat provides an opportunity for around 30 mid-career (6-10 years) women economists to develop their networks, receive mentoring and strengthen their leadership and career decision making. Participants are drawn from academia, government and the private sector.
Sessions will focus on leadership and career development and life/work balance (a link to the preliminary program is below). The Retreat provides an opportunity for attendees to discuss issues as a group as well as participate in small group mentoring sessions with senior women from the same sector. Participants are asked to come to the Retreat with a career objective or challenge that they can work through with their mentor.
Retreat Sponsorship covers accommodation, meals and training at the Retreat. Participants are asked to make their own flight arrangements to and from Coolangatta airport. A bus is available from Coolangatta airport to the venue and return at the conclusion of the Retreat. The Economic Society can assist in arranging carpooling for Brisbane-based participants.
Applications for the 2026 Women in Economics Retreat is now open. Applications must be received by Friday 25 September. Successful applicants must be a current financial ESA member and will be notified in early October.
The Women in Economics Network is a big supporter of helping women to navigate a return to work after having children. This year, WEN is pleased to fully fund a place on the WEN Retreat for a woman currently on parental leave.
The scholarship will include return flights to the Gold Coast for a participant, child under 2 and carer, and accommodation at the Retreat venue (including breakfast) for 2 adults and an infant.
Wednesday 11 November 2026
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1230 – 13:15 |
Welcome Lunch |
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13:15 – 14:00 |
Session 1 – Program overview and getting to know your mentors |
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14:00 – 15:30 |
Session 2 – Values Workshop |
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15:30 – 16:15 |
Afternoon tea and Session 3 – Small group discussions with mentors |
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16:15 – 17:30 |
Session 4 - Leadership |
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18:15 |
Dinner |
Thursday 12 November 2026
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7:00 – 8:00 |
Informal walk/swim and talk |
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9:00 – 10:30 |
Session 5 – Communication |
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10:30 – 11:00 |
Morning Tea |
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11:00 – 12:30 |
Session 6 – Navigating challenges and tools for resilience and wellbeing |
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12:30 – 13:15 |
Lunch |
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13:15 – 14:45 |
Session 7 – Econ Café – discussion of contemporary economic issues |
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14:45 – 16:15 |
Afternoon tea + Session 8 - Small group discussions with mentors |
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16:15 – 18:30 |
Free Time |
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1830 |
Dinner |
Friday 13 November 2026
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7:00 – 8:00 |
Informal walk/swim and talk |
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9:00 – 10:15 |
Session 9 – Panel Discussion - Career tips and tricks |
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10:15 – 11:15 |
Session 10 – Small group discussion with mentors over morning tea |
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11:15 – 11:45 |
Session 11 – Retreat Closing Session |
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11:45 |
Group photo |
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12:00 – 12:45 |
Lunch |
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12:45 |
Depart for airport (arrive at airport by 13:30) |
| ACT Treasury |
| Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade |
| Department of Industry, Science and Resources |
| Department of Finance |
| Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet |
| Department of Health, Disability and Ageing |
| e61 Institute |
| Mandala |
| Productivity Commission |
| Reserve Bank of Australia |
| Department of Treasury |
| Queensland Treasury |
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Dr Jacky Southcott |
Jacky is a Senior Economist with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, where she leads economic research and evaluation projects that inform trade, investment and government decision-making. With more than 20 years’ experience across Australian and international public sector organisations, she specialises in applied economics, evaluation and public policy. Prior to joining Austrade, Jacky held economics and policy roles with the South Australian Government and the Government of Saint Lucia. Throughout her career, she has led nationally significant research and evaluation projects that have strengthened evidence-based policy, informed program design and supported government decision-making. Jacky holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Adelaide. Her doctoral research on slavery, intergenerational mobility and the persistence of distrust and inequality received the Dean’s Commendation for Doctoral Thesis Excellence. A former Chair of the Women in Economics Network (South Australia), Jacky remains a strong supporter of the network. She is passionate about fostering diversity and inclusion within the economics profession and is a strong advocate for equality of opportunity. She believes economics has an important role to play in advancing equality of opportunity and improving the lives of disadvantaged communities through evidence-based public policy. |
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Dr Meg Elkins |
Meg is an Associate Professor in the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing at RMIT University, and a cultural and behavioural economist whose research focuses on those on the economic fringes and community wellbeing. Her work examines how information biases shape decision-making, with particular interest in artists' livelihoods, street performers, social protection, poverty reduction, and wellbeing. She has led research teams evaluating the economic impact of arts investment for the City of Melbourne, and her project work includes research partnerships with St Vincent de Paul Victoria and the Victorian Commercial Teachers Association (VCTA) on out-of-field teacher professional development.
Her work has been published in the Journal of Cultural Economics, Housing Studies, the Journal of Development Studies, Applied Economics, City, Culture and Society, and the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, among others. Meg is a member of the Behavioural Business Lab, Secretary of the Economic Society of Australia (Victorian Branch), Associate Editor of Cogent Economics and Finance, co-convener of ACE 2027 in Melbourne, and a Non-Executive Director of The Busking Project. As a media economist, Meg regularly provides commentary on economic issues across television (ABC News, 7News, Nine News, SBS World News), radio (ABC Melbourne, BBC Radio 4, Radio National, 3AW, RNZ, and numerous regional stations), and print (The Age, Financial Review, Herald Sun, ABC Life, Yahoo Finance, BBC News). |
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Nina Davidson |
Nina has been the Office of National Intelligence (ONI)’s Deputy Director-General – Intelligence since October 2021, overseeing ONI’s all source assessments and open source intelligence functions and leading mission and enterprise management functions. Nina had previously served in ONI’s predecessor organisation, the Office of National Assessments, including overseeing analysis of a broad range of international political, strategic and economic issues. Nina has held a number of other senior leadership roles, including Head of Office of the Australian Government Productivity Commission, and roles in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Treasury ranging across Australia's international economic engagement, the domestic macroeconomic outlook and taxation policy, and organisational strategy. Nina has also worked overseas as a development specialist in the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands and as an Adviser to the Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund. |
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Besa Deda |
Besa is a highly experienced Chief Economist with a solid background in financial markets and leadership. Besa joined William Buck as their Chief Economist in May 2025, taking on a newly created role that marks the first position of its kind for an Australian mid-tier accounting and advisory firm. |
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Alison Pennington |
Alison is Chief Economist with the McKell Institute. She investigates economic and social issues facing Australia and working people, and is the author of the widely acclaimed Gen F'd?, How Young Australians Can Reclaim Their Uncertain Futures. Alison is a regular media commentator, with writing published in AFR, SMH, The Saturday Paper and The Conversation. She is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in Politics, Philosophy and Economics with La Trobe University, and a former Deputy Chief of Staff / Senior Advisor to cabinet ministers in the Albanese federal government. Alison has held previous roles with the Commonwealth Department of Finance, the Community and Public Sector Union, the Centre for Future Work with the Australian Institute, and public school music teaching. |
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Dr Alicia Mollaun |
She has worked at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Equity Economics and Development Partners, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (including as a diplomat in New Delhi), the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, and at the Australian National University. Alicia has worked and studied in India, Pakistan, Kenya, France, and the United States. Alicia holds a PhD in Public Policy from the ANU. Her research examined elite perceptions of US foreign aid to Pakistan. She also has a Master of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies from the ANU, and a Master of International Economics and Finance from the University of Queensland. When not chasing after 3 young sons, Alicia loves to read and drink coffee in the sun (preferably all at the same time!). She is a meditation teacher and mindfulness mentor, and has studied bibliotherapy with Bibliotherapy Australia. She runs the Slow Pages Society, a silent reading party, and is the founder of Well, Well, a space dedicated to wellbeing — through writing, coaching and retreats. |
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Mehwish Ghulam Ali |
Mehwish has over 15 years of experience in economics, public policy, strategy and performance across the Victorian Government, Deloitte, the United Nations and higher education. She has led complex policy, research and evaluation projects that have informed government decision-making, with expertise spanning skills and workforce policy, tertiary education, economic development and social policy. She currently works as a Senior Manager at the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR), where she is recognised for translating complex evidence into strategic, decision-ready advice and building strong partnerships across government, industry and the community to improve public outcomes. Mehwish holds a PhD in Economics from RMIT University. Her research examined the gendered nature of disadvantage among children in Pakistan, using advanced econometric methods to generate evidence for public policy. She has published internationally through the United Nations , presented at leading academic and policy conferences, and continues to contribute to research on education, labour markets and inclusive economic development. Beyond her professional work, Mehwish is a passionate advocate for equity, diversity and multicultural inclusion. She founded the Professional Migrant Women Collective, mentors emerging professionals, and has held leadership roles across the Victorian Public Service to foster inclusive workplaces and strengthen leadership capability. In recognition of her contribution to diversity and inclusion, she is DJSIR's 2026 nominee for the Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence in the Public Sector Diversity and Inclusion category. Outside of work, Mehwish enjoys travelling, reading, writing, hiking, baking, mentoring emerging leaders, and spending time with family and friends. |
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