Academy Fellow

Professor Rae Cooper, AO, is an global research leader in gender, work, and employment relations and is founding Director of the University of Sydney’s Australian Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusion at Work. Her research has had a significant impact on public policy, contributing to key reforms aimed at improving gender equality in the labour market. In recognition of her contributions to higher education and workplace policy and practice, Professor Cooper was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2019.

A key focus of Professor Cooper’s work is addressing gender inequality at work, with a particular emphasis on women’s career navigation, the future of work, and women’s representation in STEM occupations and sectors. She has been awarded numerous grants, including from the Australian Research Council, such as her current Future Fellowship, and has collaborated with high-profile organisations such as the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the Fair work Commission and Chief Executive Women. 

She has been appointed by governments to important national committees of advice, such as the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, the Jobs and Skills Australia Ministerial Advisory Board and the NSW Government's Safework Respect at Work Taskforce. Additionally, Professor Cooper regularly makes submissions and is called to give evidence to major inquiries and industrial relations cases, contributing her knowledge to help shape legislation, policy and workplace practice.

Professor Cooper has a strong commitment to teaching and has educated thousands of students in industrial relations policy and practice over her career, she is co-author of *Employment Relations: Theory and Practice*, and a mentor to many students and early-career researchers. Her influence in the field extends beyond the classroom, as she has played a pivotal role in shaping the discipline of industrial relations in Australia and internationally. She is President of her international scholarly association, ILERA (the International Labour and Employment Relations Association), has previously been a long-standing executive member and a past President of AIRAANZ (the Association of Industrial Relations Academics of Australia and New Zealand) and is an Executive Committee member of bodies including the NSW Industrial Relations Society and the Australian Labour and Employment Relations Association. 

Her contributions to the broader community are equally significant. She has served as Chair of the Management Committee of the NSW Working Women’s Centre and as Deputy Chair of the NSW Premier’s Expert Advisory Council on Women. In these roles, Professor Cooper has been instrumental in advocating for women’s rights and economic equality. Her leadership has directly influenced public policy, particularly in relation to improving working conditions and supporting women in the workforce.

Proud of her background from regional Australia and as a 'first in family' university student, Professor Cooper brings a unique perspective to her work. Her personal experiences have informed her passion for creating a more equitable workplace for all and for speaking to audiences beyond the academy. She is a highly sought-after commentator in the media, regularly contributing to public debates on workplace issues. Her keynotes and briefings to business and policy audiences further extend the impact of her research.  

In summary, Professor Cooper demonstrates significant scholarly contributions, powerful community advocacy and sustained impact on public policy in her area of expertise. 

• University Medal, UNSW, 1995

• Edna Ryan Award (Workforce), 2017

• Officer Order of Australia, 2019

• ARC Future Fellow, 2022-2025

• Maria Jahoda Visiting Fellowship, ESRC (Digit Centre) 2024

Cooper, R., Mosseri, S., Vromen, A., Baird, M., Hill, E., & Probyn, E. (2021). Gender matters: A multilevel analysis of gender and voice at work. British Journal of Management, 32(3), 725-743.

Cooper, R., Baird, M., Foley, M., & Oxenbridge, S. (2021). Normative collusion in the industry ecosystem: Explaining women's career pathways and outcomes in investment management. Human Relations, 74(11), 1916-1941.

Foley, M., & Cooper, R. (2021). Workplace gender equality in the post-pandemic era: Where to next? Journal of Industrial Relations, 63(4), 463-476.

Foley, M., Oxenbridge, S., Cooper, R., & Baird, M. (2022). 'I'll never be one of the boys': Gender harassment of women working as pilots and automotive tradespeople. Gender, Work and Organization, 29(5), 1676-1691.