Laurence Lester

Dr Laurence Lester is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide's Australian Centre for Housing Research. His research focuses on housing policy, public health, economic analysis, and social welfare, with particular expertise in disability studies, labour market dynamics, and sustainable housing solutions. He has contributed to policy evaluations on homelessness prevention, pandemic housing responses, and renewable energy targets. His work spans interdisciplinary collaborations involving economics, urban planning, and health sciences.

Key research interests include analyzing the intersection between housing affordability and mental health outcomes, evaluating policy interventions for vulnerable populations (e.g., older women, persons with disabilities), and studying migrant labour market integration. His geographic focus includes both metropolitan and regional Australian contexts, with recent projects examining Tasmania's post-pandemic living experiences and NDIS accommodation frameworks.

Dr Lester's publications demonstrate a strong track record in quantitative policy analysis, with notable contributions to understanding cashless debit card impacts, superannuation housing policies, and circular economy applications in housing retrofitting. He holds an academic appointment within the University's Napier Building on North Terrace campus.