Australia’s strongest-ever performance in global gender equality rankings provides a timely backdrop for the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia’s 2026 Keith Hancock Lecture, to be delivered by leading workplace researcher and Academy Fellow Professor Rae Cooper AO FASSA.
The lecture, Let’s Talk About Flex: How ‘Good Flex’ Builds Sustainable Careers and Better Workplaces, will explore how thoughtfully designed workplace flexibility can help advance gender equality while improving outcomes for workers, organisations and the broader economy.
The event comes just weeks after Australia achieved its highest-ever position in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, rising to 8th place globally and entering the top ten for the first time. Australia has climbed 35 places since 2022, reflecting progress in economic participation, political representation, education and health.
Drawing on over a decade of research, including a sneak peek at soon-to-be-released findings, Professor Cooper argues that flexibility can deliver real benefits for workers, employers and governments. But to do so, it must be well designed: giving workers genuine choice and control while supporting productive, sustainable workplaces.
Professor Cooper said that while Australia’s improved ranking was encouraging, further progress would depend on creating workplaces that support people throughout different stages of their lives and careers.
“Workplace flexibility is often talked about as a perk, but when it is designed well, it can be a powerful driver of gender equality, workforce participation and productivity,” Professor Cooper said.
Academy President Professor Kate Darian-Smith FASSA said the lecture would address one of the most significant social and economic challenges facing Australia.
“Social science research shows that as Australia seeks to build a more productive and inclusive economy, understanding the role of flexibility in supporting gender equality has never been more important.”
Event details
2026 Keith Hancock Lecture
Let’s Talk About Flex: How ‘Good Flex’ Builds Sustainable Careers and Better Workplaces
Presenter: Professor Rae Cooper AO FASSA
Date: Thursday 1 October 2026
Time: 6.00pm to 7.15pm
Venue: Music Workshop, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sydney
Booking link: https://events.humanitix.com/talk-about-flex
The lecture is presented by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.
The annual Keith Hancock Lecture honours Emeritus Professor Keith Hancock AO, a distinguished labour economist and former President of the Academy. Established in 2009, the lecture brings leading social science research to public audiences and addresses issues of national significance.
Professor Cooper is one of Australia’s foremost experts on work, employment and gender. Drawing on extensive research and real-world insights from workers, employers and governments, she will examine the role of workplace flexibility in shaping more equitable and sustainable workplaces.
Media enquiries
Vanessa Barratt
Communications Manager
Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
0450 018 752
media@socialsciences.org.au