Owen Covick is Associate Professor in the School of Economics at the Flinders University of South Australia and Deputy Head of the Faculty of Social Sciences. His academic publications are principally in the areas of productivity analysis, labour costs and finance. As a member of the INDECS team of economists he is co-author of the best-selling State of Play series of books on Australian economic policy. He was economic advisor to a series of senior Cabinet Economics Ministers in the Federal Government from 1986 to March 1996: Peter Walsh, 1986 to 1990; Kim Beazley, 1990 to 1992, and again from 1994 to March 1996; John Dawkins, 1992 to 1993; Ralph Willis, 1994.

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Kevin Kirchner is a lecturer in the School of Business Economics, Flinders University, South Australia. Immediately prior to taking up his appointment at Flinders University Kevin was Senior Economist for the SA Centre for Economic Studies from 1994 through to 2002. In total Kevin has almost 20 years experience as an applied economist, working not only in universities, but also in the Commonwealth public service, in consulting and in the finance industry. In these roles he has researched and provided advice to both the public and private sectors on a variety of issues, including economic development issues, industry analysis, cost benefit analysis, investment and financial matters, risk management issues, macroeconomic issues, and strategic business issues. He has been the Editor of the Centre's Economic Briefing Report for several years and retains this role while at Flinders University. His research interests at Flinders University are focused on contemporary economic policy issues, efficiency issues in relation to the private business sector, and the role of small business, entrepreneurship and innovation in fostering economic growth.

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Dr Penny Neal is a lecturer in the School of Business Economics, Flinders University. Penny was Senior Research Economist at the SA Centre for Economic Studies in 2005 prior to returning to her lecturing position at Flinders University in 2006. Penny has authored a number of research papers, a textbook titled Macroeconomics and the Australian Economy (with Colin Rogers) and a number of study guides to accompany this and other texts. Her principal research interests are in the area of macroeconomics and monetary policy. Penny has a long involvement with the Centre as an author of chapters in its periodic Briefing Report.

Penny contributed to a number of national studies while at the Centre including for Gambling Research Australia for the Ministerial Council on Gambling (Problem Gambling and Harm: Towards a National Definition), and a longitudinal evaluation of agricultural and structural change programs (e.g., AAA Farm Help - Supporting Families Through Change program). She conducted an evaluation of labour market initiatives for the Victorian Government including an international literature review of "active labour market policies".

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Colin Rogers is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Adelaide's School of Economics. His principal research interests are in the areas of monetary theory, Keynesian economics and macroeconomic policy more generally. He has published extensively in these areas. Previously he has worked at the University of South Africa, the University of Natal, De Montfort University in the United Kingdom and Carleton University in Canada.

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Paul Delfabbro is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Adelaide's School of Psychology.  Paul has collaorated with the Centre on a range of gambling projects.  His research interests include gambling and the role of cognitive and behavioural factors in the maintenance of within-session behaviour.  Although many studies have suggested that cognitive factors (irrational thoughts, heuristics and biases) may play a role in gambling, less attention has been given to the role of learning principles in gambling.  Using computer simulations, his current research is examining how variations in reinforcement schedules, reinforcement frequency and magnitudes influence decision-making and behaviour.  He has also conducted research into adolescent gambling and the relationship between early adolescent adjustment, attitudes and early employment outcomes.  Further information is available here.

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Cliff Walsh is Professor Emeritus at the University of Adelaide and a Visiting Research Fellow in the Department of Economics and in the South Australian Centre for Economic Studies. His principle areas of interest and expertise include public sector economics, regional economic development and federal, state and local financial, administrative and political relationships. He has extensive experience in advising businesses as well as Commonwealth, State and Local Governments, Ministers and CEO's and he has been a member of a number of committees of review of the Commonwealth and State Governments.

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John Williams is a Professor of Law at the University of Adelaide. His area of research is public law (especially constitutional law). He has advised both State and Commonwealth governments on issues relating to the regulatory schemes and intergovernmental relations.

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David Caruso is a lecturer in the Law School of the University of Adelaide and a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of South Australia. He has interned for the Justice Strategy Unit of the Attorney General’s Department, served as associate to the Honourable Justice JR Sulan and practised in commercial litigation with Fisher Jeffries/Gadens. He is Vice President of the Association for Research between Italy and Australia, a council member of the Law Society of South Australia and a member of the SACE Board Curriculum Leaders Group. David’s work focuses on international trade law (ITL) and the functioning of justice systems. He has given papers on ITL in Australia, South East Asia and Europe and published in leading journals, most recently The Journal of World Investment and Trade. He has reported on the SA Magistrates Court Diversion Program for the AG’s Department, assisted the SA Department of Justice on its Bail Process Improvement Project, and authored professional practice manuals on criminal and family law.

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Dr Ernesto Valenzuela is the Executive Director of the Centre for International Economic Studies at the University of Adelaide and a Senior Lecturer in the School of Economics. Prior to this, Ernesto was an Economist Consultant for 3 years at the World Bank Development Research Group in Washington DC. His academic publications and research interests are principally in the fields of agriculture, international trade policy and quantitative methods (including econometric and CGE modelling) in which he has authored a book and co-authored more than 40 academic journals and book chapters.

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