The Australian Centre for Applied Social Research Methods (AusCen) is pleased to welcome its new director, Professor Matt Gray.  Professor Gray was previously interim Director of the Research School of Social Sciences (ANU), and before that Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research at the ANU.

Professor Gray's background is in economic research and policy evaluation.  He has worked in both the academic and public sectors, including as Deputy Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies. He led the Australian Institute of Family Studies evaluation of the 2006 changes to the family law system and was heavily involved in evaluating the Government’s Stronger Families and Communities Strategy. He has undertaken research on behalf a wide range of organisations including the Attorney-General's Department, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Department of Education, Employment, and Workplace Relations, the former Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, OECD, and the New South Wales Department of Environment and Conservation.

More information on Professor Gray's research and extensive publication record is available at his ANU researcher profile.

Professor Gray takes over the leadership of AusCen from Professor Ian McAllister, who oversaw the establishment of the centre and now returns to his position in the School of Politics and International Relations at the ANU.  The centre is indebted to Professor McAllister's efforts in turning AusCen from an idea into a thriving centre.