Zoom out. Ask questions. See the bigger picture. Make sense.
What do I do?
As a Demographer, I help you understand the inter-related nature of population change, the economy, the workforce and the broader community through research, data analysis and interpretation of complex economic and social issues using a systems thinking lens, so that you can make informed decisions.
What does that mean?
I work with clients to help them better understand the dynamics underpinning their region, industry or organisation. Together, we identify and articulate evidence-based challenges and opportunities using a systems thinking approach. Then, I work with them to develop informed strategic policy advice and solutions. These challenges and opportunities are usually related to the composition of their population and the drivers of population change, including education and training, the workforce, the economy, and the relevant socio-economic demography and/or inequity - gender or age-related -, and their interconnectedness within a system or systems.
Usually, I identify, define and explain these challenges and opportunities using data - quantitative and qualitative - from various credible sources. However, my work only starts with data analysis, the richness and value of my work comes from the interpretation of that data in the context of the situation, underpinned by theory and policy analysis, and the objectives of the client.
"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking that we used when we created them" - Albert Einstein
My credentials
I am a perpetual student, I am continually investing in my own learning and knowledge acquisition. Following my schooling, I completed a Bachelor of Commerce in economics, finance and marketing and a few years later went on to complete a Graduate Diploma of Education (I am a qualified, but non-practicing, secondary teacher of economics and business studies).
After working for ten years in a range of government roles in local government, trade, investment attraction, research and brand, I decided to pursue further education in demography and completed a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours in social ecology) and then a PhD in which I investigated Skill Utilisation in Australia in response to the proposed 3Ps solution to the implications of population ageing.
As I have a son with severe and complex communication and learning disabilities, I have also been pursuing further education in the science of learning. In 2023, I completed a Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Science of Learning) following the completion of the Language Essentials for Teaching Reading and Spelling (LETRS) course and the Orton Gillingham Dyslexia training course.
I remain committed to investing in my own professional learning and development.
Positions and memberships
More about me
I am Tasmanian born and bred. I'm older than the median age of the population. I'm a long time advocate for improving the life outcomes of all Tasmanians. I'm a gardener (of the fruit and vegetable variety), cook, walker, ocean lover, dog and chook person and a mum, wife, daughter and sister, step-mum (although I call it 'second mum'). I also like writing haiku (a form of Japanese poetry) to help me express how I am feeling in the good times and bad (very therapeutic).
As a Demographer, I help you understand the inter-related nature of population change, the economy, the workforce and the broader community through research, data analysis and interpretation of complex economic and social issues using a systems thinking lens, so that you can make informed decisions.
What does that mean?
I work with clients to help them better understand the dynamics underpinning their region, industry or organisation. Together, we identify and articulate evidence-based challenges and opportunities using a systems thinking approach. Then, I work with them to develop informed strategic policy advice and solutions. These challenges and opportunities are usually related to the composition of their population and the drivers of population change, including education and training, the workforce, the economy, and the relevant socio-economic demography and/or inequity - gender or age-related -, and their interconnectedness within a system or systems.
Usually, I identify, define and explain these challenges and opportunities using data - quantitative and qualitative - from various credible sources. However, my work only starts with data analysis, the richness and value of my work comes from the interpretation of that data in the context of the situation, underpinned by theory and policy analysis, and the objectives of the client.
"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking that we used when we created them" - Albert Einstein
My credentials
I am a perpetual student, I am continually investing in my own learning and knowledge acquisition. Following my schooling, I completed a Bachelor of Commerce in economics, finance and marketing and a few years later went on to complete a Graduate Diploma of Education (I am a qualified, but non-practicing, secondary teacher of economics and business studies).
After working for ten years in a range of government roles in local government, trade, investment attraction, research and brand, I decided to pursue further education in demography and completed a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours in social ecology) and then a PhD in which I investigated Skill Utilisation in Australia in response to the proposed 3Ps solution to the implications of population ageing.
As I have a son with severe and complex communication and learning disabilities, I have also been pursuing further education in the science of learning. In 2023, I completed a Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Science of Learning) following the completion of the Language Essentials for Teaching Reading and Spelling (LETRS) course and the Orton Gillingham Dyslexia training course.
I remain committed to investing in my own professional learning and development.
Positions and memberships
- Board Director, Tasmanian Council for Social Service (TasCOSS)
- Council Member of the Australian Population Association
- Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Tasmania
- Founding member of the Tasmanian 100% Literacy Alliance
- Member of the Lifting Literacy Outcomes Monitoring Group
More about me
I am Tasmanian born and bred. I'm older than the median age of the population. I'm a long time advocate for improving the life outcomes of all Tasmanians. I'm a gardener (of the fruit and vegetable variety), cook, walker, ocean lover, dog and chook person and a mum, wife, daughter and sister, step-mum (although I call it 'second mum'). I also like writing haiku (a form of Japanese poetry) to help me express how I am feeling in the good times and bad (very therapeutic).
