Professor  Beth Webster

Beth Webster is a leading economist who joined the Melbourne Institute in 2024 as Director and Ronald Henderson Professor. Her research on intellectual property, firm performance, and innovation has significantly influenced policy and academic understanding. Her work is widely published in top journals, and she frequently advises policymakers. With a PhD from Cambridge, she's an expert in innovation economics and industrial policy.

A Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, she most recently led a team of researchers at Swinburne University working on technology, innovation and economic outcomes.

Professor Webster is committed to mentoring early-career researchers and promoting diversity in economics. Her contributions have earned her recognition, including the Distinguished Fellow Award from the Economic Society of Australia. Her ongoing work continues to shape understanding of innovation ecosystems and inform policy decisions in Australia and internationally.

Research interests