Elaine is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Government Outcomes Lab. Her research seeks to understand the role of innovative financing in improving social outcomes. Her role also includes leading the evaluation of the Life Chances Fund.
Elaine focuses on applied microeconomic and policy research within the fields of health and social policy. Her key research interests include innovative financing mechanisms, impact investment and public-private / cross-sector partnerships.
Elaine recently completed a PhD in 2023 at the Centre for Health Economics at Monash University, Australia, on charitable giving and private investment in public goods. Part of her thesis was the winner of the 2021 International Health Economics Association Student Paper Prize. Alongside her PhD, Elaine worked as a Research Assistant at the College of Business and Economics at the Australian National University, focusing on innovative financing in social policy.
Prior to undertaking her PhD, Elaine was a Senior Economist and Manager at EY’s Economics, Regulation and Policy practice, where she was seconded internationally (China, New Zealand) and to various Australian government departments. Elaine has also held various roles in the Australian public health system including research and service development.