Rob Bray

Dr. Rob Bray is a Research Fellow at The Australian National University's POLIS: The Centre for Social Policy Research. He holds a PhD from ANU and a PSM and BA from Adelaide University. His work bridges academic research with policy evaluation, focusing on social policy's economic intersections. Key areas include tax-transfer systems, minimum wage impacts, income management, and early childhood education policy.

Bray’s career spans academia and the Australian Public Service, where he contributed to policy reviews such as the 2008-09 Pension Review under 'Australia’s Future Tax System.' He has led evaluations of income management in the Northern Territory, childcare system reforms, and early childhood development programs. His research emphasizes poverty analysis, welfare policy, and labor market dynamics.

Notable contributions include the 2024 Closing the Gap evaluation report and analysis of relative income poverty trends. He has advised on over 50 policy projects, including child care subsidies, employment services quality indicators, and aged care provision. His 2010 Public Service Medal recognized his poverty analysis work.

Bray collaborates extensively with government agencies and NGOs, leading projects like the National Online Survey on Racism in Universities and the Family Violence Research initiative. His research often addresses systemic inequities in housing, welfare, and education, with a focus on evidence-based policy design.