The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Jingjing Zhang as Head of the School of Economics. Her appointment comes at a pivotal time as the School continues to strengthen its research excellence, deepen interdisciplinary collaboration, and expand its engagement with policy and industry.
Professor Zhang joins the University of Sydney from RMIT University, where she is Professor of Economics and Head of the Department of Economics. An internationally recognised experimental and behavioural economist, her work spans market design, public economics, and policy engagement, with a focus on improving decision‑making, institutions, and social outcomes.
Research excellence and global impact
Professor Zhang has built a globally connected research profile across Australia, North America, Europe, and Asia. Her research program has attracted more than $1.6 million in competitive funding, including grants from the Australian Research Council, the U.S. National Science Foundation, and the Swiss National Science Foundation. Her work appears in leading international journals, including Management Science, The Economic Journal, Games and Economic Behavior, and Experimental Economics. She also serves on the Executive Committee of the Economic Science Association
Policy engagement and applied influence
Her research has informed policy and practice in areas including spectrum auction design for the Australian Communications and Media Authority; behavioural intervention design to help the Australian Securities and Investments Commission understand how digital engagement practices may shape consumer decision‑making and vulnerability; behavioural product design for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia; electoral design to improve democratic participation; mechanism design to prevent the dark side of nudging in complex markets such as private insurance; and contest design that promotes both excellence and broad participation in real‑world settings ranging from innovation challenges to policy trials.
These contributions reflect her commitment to translating rigorous economic insights into practical solutions for government and industry.
Teaching and student experience
Professor Zhang is also deeply committed to teaching and student engagement. She uses experimental role‑playing and interactive learning to build critical thinking and intuitive understanding in the classroom—an approach that aligns strongly with the School’s focus on developing analytical capability and real‑world problem‑solving skills.
I’m especially excited to join the University of Sydney because Economics in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences occupies a uniquely strategic position - combining analytical rigour with the opportunity to engage deeply with law, public policy, politics, sociology and other neighbouring disciplines on the major challenges facing society.
Professor Jingjing Zhang
Head of School, Economics
A vision for collaborative, outward‑looking economics
Reflecting on her appointment, Professor Zhang said:
“I’m especially excited to join the University of Sydney because Economics in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences occupies a uniquely strategic position - combining analytical rigour with the opportunity to engage deeply with law, public policy, politics, sociology and other neighbouring disciplines on the major challenges facing society.
For me, it feels like a rare and inspiring place to bring my behavioural and market design approach to leadership into life, while working with outstanding colleagues to help shape an ambitious, outward‑looking and genuinely collaborative future for Economics.”
Faculty leadership welcome
Professor Lisa Adkins, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, welcomed the appointment.
“I am confident that under Jingjing’s leadership, the School of Economics will continue to strengthen its impact and play a vital role in achieving our Faculty’s ambitious research and education objectives,” said Professor Adkins.
Professor Zhang will commence her role on 15 July 2026 and will work closely with colleagues across the School and Faculty as she transitions into the position.