Dr Alexander Robson

2021 College Recipient, College of Arts, Society and Education

Learning about the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in an economics lecture at JCU, Alex Robson never dreamed he’d one day become Australia’s Ambassador to the international organisation. As Ambassador, Dr Robson was responsible for representing Australia's interests amongst the 37 other like-minded advanced economics on a vast range of policy topics, including foreign investment, trade, agriculture, taxation, banking, the environment, education and health.

Dr Robson is an accomplished economist with a demonstrated history of more than 20 years’ experience. He completed his PhD at the University of California Irvine, has served as Chief Economist and senior economic advisor to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, director at Deloitte Access Economics and has held academic positions across Australia. Dr Robson has also authored a book and regularly consulted to ASX 200 companies and government departments in Australia and New Zealand.

Returning to Australia this year, Dr Robson has taken up a position as Associate Partner at EY. Dr Robson’s belief that individual freedom is the key to economic prosperity and dignity has driven him from Townsville to Paris and back again, championing economic policy reform and development.

Dr Alex Robson graduated James Cook University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours.