Australian Academy of the Social Sciences elects Professor Sarah Wheeler

Professor Sarah Wheeler, from Centre for Global Food and Resources will join 37 leading social scientists from across Australia as new appointees to the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.

The Academy comprises an elected Fellowship of almost 700 distinguished Australian social science researchers and professionals who provide evidence-based advice to governments on social policy issues of national importance.

Sarah has spent considerable time influencing and engaging with national water policy issues in Australia - primarily water issues in the Murray-Darling Basin - and she is one of the leading researchers in the world on water markets. One of her key research focuses at present seeks to understand the behavioural implications of various policies to address resource issues, and the reciprocal relationship that exists between attitudes and behaviour, especially in relation to climate change. 

“Along with my colleagues in the Faculty, I congratulate Professor Wheeler on this well-deserved election to the Academy,” says Professor Suzanne Le Mire, Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of the Professions.

 “Sarah works continually to ensure that her academic understanding has influence. She consistently makes herself available to contribute to policy development and improvement nationally and internationally.”

Alongside an impressive list of top-tier research publications, Sarah works to provide expert advice on water and farming policy issues. In recent years she appeared at several Senate and parliament hearings and the SA Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission. In January 2019 Sarah was invited to join the Australian Academy of Science's fish kill panel, and was one of the panel members that presented the findings and recommendations in Parliament.

In addition to her work on water and farming policy within Australia having a national impact, Sarah's research program on farmer behaviour and water is having an impact globally.  Sarah has consulted for the World Bank and the United Nation (UNECE), plus conducted work for the Ian Potter and Myer Foundations, ACCC, Murray-Darling Basin Authority, National Water Commission, Federal Department of Environment, Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, to name but a few. 

In February 2019 she was voted President-elect of Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society (AARES), and is the current President for 2020.

Sarah says “I’m incredibly proud to be appointed to the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. I look forward to working alongside the best social science researchers in Australia, and continuing to do all I can to influence strong policy making in Australia, and around the globe.”