Rate Professor Rae Cooper

Professional Summary: Professor Rae Cooper

Professor Rae Cooper is a distinguished academic at the University of Sydney, Australia, recognized for her expertise in gender, work, and employment relations. With a career spanning several decades, she has made significant contributions to the understanding of workplace dynamics, gender equity, and industrial relations through her research, teaching, and public engagement.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Cooper holds advanced qualifications in industrial relations and gender studies. She earned her PhD from the University of Sydney, where her research focused on employment relations and workplace policies.

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Her research primarily explores:

• Gender and work, with a focus on workplace inequality and diversity
• Employment relations and industrial policy
• Workplace bargaining and union strategies
• Work-life balance and flexible working arrangements

Her work often intersects with public policy, aiming to address systemic challenges in modern workplaces.

Career History and Appointments

Professor Cooper has held several key positions at the University of Sydney and beyond:

• Professor of Gender, Work and Employment Relations, University of Sydney Business School
• Associate Dean (Education), University of Sydney Business School (previous role)
• Co-Director, Women, Work and Leadership Research Group, University of Sydney

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Cooper has been recognized for her contributions to academia and policy:

• Recipient of multiple research grants from the Australian Research Council (ARC)
• Named among influential voices in gender equity and workplace policy in Australia

Key Publications

Her scholarly output includes numerous books, journal articles, and reports. Some notable works are:

• Getting to Work: Women, Careers and the Future (forthcoming, co-authored)
• “Women and the Future of Work” – Report for the Australian Women’s Working Futures Project (2019, co-authored)
• “Bargaining under Work Choices: The Australian Experience” – Journal Article (2008)
• Multiple contributions to leading journals such as Journal of Industrial Relations and Gender, Work & Organization

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Cooper’s research has significantly shaped debates on gender equity and workplace policy in Australia and internationally. Her studies on collective bargaining, union strategies, and women’s career progression have informed both academic discourse and public policy. She is frequently cited in discussions on workplace reform and has collaborated with industry and government to advance equitable practices.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Cooper is an active participant in academic and public spheres:

• Regular speaker at national and international conferences on gender and work
• Contributor to public policy discussions through media commentary and expert panels
• Member of editorial boards for prominent journals in industrial relations and gender studies
• Advisor on committees related to workplace diversity and inclusion