What works in Education? 2025 STEP UP Conference
The STEP UP Research Initiative is excited to be hosting the fifth of its annual 'What works in Education?' Conference on 30 – 31 October 2025.
This year's program (available here) promises a stimulating mix of empirical, experimental, and theoretical insights designed to spark lively discussions and advance our understanding of current educational challenges.
We are honoured to welcome this year’s keynote speakers - Professor Sue Dynarski from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, and Tanya Livermore representing the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Public Education Department, both renowned for their impactful work in education and economics.
This 2-day event is free to attend, but we kindly request that you register your attendance, either in person at the Business Lounge of UNSW Business School, or participate virtually via Teams.
We look forward to your participation in this year’s event and your contribution to our ongoing conversation on improving Education.
Warm regards,
Isabella Dobrescu
Alberto Motta
Professor Susan Dynarski is the Patricia Albjerg Graham Professor of Education at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. A leading economist and education policy expert, she is widely recognized for her pioneering research on inequality in education and her commitment to improving student outcomes.
Her work spans critical issues such as college affordability, student debt, and the design of financial aid systems. Professor Dynarski’s research combines rigorous data analysis with a deep concern for equity, highlighting the systemic barriers that hinder access and success for underserved communities.
Prior to Harvard, she held joint appointments at the University of Michigan in economics, public policy, and education, where she co-directed the Education Policy Initiative. She is a faculty research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and a 2020 Carnegie Fellow.
Professor Dynarski has advised federal agencies and testified before Congress, shaping national conversations around evidence-based reform.
In her keynote, Perspectives on Inequality in US Education, she will explore how research can help us in building a more inclusive and effective education system.
Tanya Livermore is the Senior Manager of Public Education at the Reserve Bank of Australia, where she leads national efforts to improve economic literacy for a broader and more diverse range of students. With a background in policy, research and strategic outreach, Tanya is passionate about making economics inclusive, relatable, and engaging, especially for young Australians.
Holding a Master in Economics from the London School of Economics, Tanya has led research into declining economics enrolments, gender and equity gaps. Her work, including co-authored studies such as “Why Study (or Not Study) Economics?”, explores not just the barriers to participation but what works in economics education, highlighting the need for targeted outreach, support for teachers and early exposure to economics.
In her keynote address, Tanya Livermore will explore the decline in economics enrolments and student diversity in Australia, highlighting the broader implications for national economic literacy and inclusive policymaking. Tanya will discuss how the role of early exposure to economic concepts can boost awareness, interest, and participation in economics among a more diverse student population.
Register for free attendance
