Back to
Dr Melissa Wong

Dr Melissa Wong

Research Fellow

BEcon (Sydney), MCom (UNSW), PhD (UNSW)

Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA)
Social Policy Research Centre

Melissa Wong is a Research Fellow at the Social Policy Research Centre. She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of New South Wales. Her research interests include the causes and consequences of poverty and income inequality as well the application of social policies in developing economies. She is also interested in trade-poverty linkages, interactions between growth and international trade and the effects of trade on human capital accumulation and economic policies. Dr Wong's research skills involve the statistical analysis of survey microdata and aggregate data on poverty and income inequality.

Recent and ongoing research projects include Social Disadvantage and Economic Recession: Promoting Inclusion and Combating Deprivation (ARC Linkage grant), An Analysis of Employment of Poor and Non-poor Aboriginals in Urban Areas during the Global Financial Tsunami: a comparison between Australia and Taiwan (ASSA Joint-bilateral ISL grant), Comparing the Living Standards of Children and Older People Within and Between Nations (ARC Discovery grant), Data Mapping Exercise: Indicators of Wellbeing for Children and Women (Consultancy for UNICEF Malaysia).
Phone
+61 2 9385 7841
E-mail
melissa.wong@unsw.edu.au
Location
243 Goodsell Building
  • Journal articles | 2024
    Saunders P; Wong M, 2024, 'Making ends meet: revisiting the consensual income approach to measuring poverty', Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 32, pp. 126 - 146, http://dx.doi.org/10.1332/17598273Y2023D000000010
    Journal articles | 2022
    Saunders P; Naidoo Y; Wong M, 2022, 'Are recent trends in poverty and deprivation in Australia consistent with trickle-down effects?', Economic and Labour Relations Review, 33, pp. 566 - 585, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10353046221112715
    Journal articles | 2022
    Saunders P; Naidoo Y; Wong M, 2022, 'Comparing the Monetary and Living Standards Approaches to Poverty Using the Australian Experience', Social Indicators Research, 162, pp. 1365 - 1385, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11205-022-02888-8
    Journal articles | 2022
    Saunders P; Naidoo Y; Wong M, 2022, 'The crumbling pillar: Assessing the impact of housing costs on recent trends in poverty and deprivation in Australia', International Journal of Social Welfare, 31, pp. 421 - 432, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ijsw.12549
    Journal articles | 2019
    Craig L; Churchill B; Wong M, 2019, 'Youth, recession, and downward gender convergence: Young people's employment, education, and homemaking in Finland, Spain, Taiwan, and the United States 2000-2013', Social Politics, 26, pp. 139 - 163, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/sp/jxy015
    Journal articles | 2016
    Saunders P; Wong M; Bradbury B, 2016, 'Poverty in Australia since the financial crisis: The role of housing costs, income growth and unemployment', Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 24, pp. 97 - 112, http://dx.doi.org/10.1332/175982716X14650295704614
    Journal articles | 2016
    saunders ; Bradbury BW; wong , 2016, 'The growing gap between rich and poor in Australia', Australian Journal of Labour Economics: a journal of labour economics and labour relations, 19, pp. 15 - 32, http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=326205872042904;res=IELBUS
    Journal articles | 2015
    Saunders PG; Watanabe K; Wong M, 2015, 'Poverty and Housing Among Older People: Comparing Australia and Japan', Poverty and Public Policy, 7, pp. 223 - 239, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pop4.110
    Journal articles | 2014
    Saunders PG; Wong MO, 2014, 'Locational Differences in Material Deprivation and Social Exclusion in Australia', Australian Journal of Regional Studies, 20, pp. 131 - 158, http://anzrsai.org/publications/ajrs/2014-Volume-20/Issue-1/locational-differences-in-material-deprivation-and-social-exclusion-in-australia/
    Journal articles | 2013
    Patulny R; Wong M, 2013, 'Poor mothers and lonely single males: The 'essentially' excluded women and men of Australia', Social Policy and Society, 12, pp. 221 - 239, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1474746412000449
    Journal articles | 2013
    Saunders PG; Wong MO, 2013, 'Examining Australian attitudes to inequality and redistribution', Journal of Australian Political Economy, pp. 51 - 75, http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=357084817207021;res=IELBUS
    Journal articles | 2012
    Saunders P; Wong M, 2012, 'Estimating the impact of the global financial crisis on poverty and deprivation', Australian Journal of Social Issues, 47, pp. 485 - 503, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/j.1839-4655.2012.tb00262.x
    Journal articles | 2012
    Saunders PG; Wong MO, 2012, 'The social impact of the global financial crisis in Australia', Australian Journal of Social Issues, 46, pp. 291 - 309
    Journal articles | 2011
    Saunders P; Wong M, 2011, 'Using deprivation to assess the adequacy of Australian social security payments', Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 19, pp. 89 - 99, http://dx.doi.org/10.1332/175982711X573969
    Journal articles | 2011
    Saunders PG; Wong MO, 2011, 'Pension adequacy and the pension review', Economic and Labour Relations Review, 22, pp. 7 - 26, http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=593604493767622;res=IELBUS
    Journal articles | 2011
    Saunders PG; Wong MO, 2011, 'Using Deprivation Indicators to Assess the Adequacy of Australian Social Security Payments', Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 19, pp. 91 - 101
  • Working Papers | 2008
    Saunders PG; Wong M, 2008, Deprivation and other indicators of the living standards of older Australians, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, draft report for FaHCSIA, http://dx.doi.org
  • Reports | 2023
    Cortis N; Naidoo Y; Wong M; Bradbury B, 2023, Gender-based Occupational Segregation: A National Data Profile, Fair Work Commission, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/28669, https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/consultation/gender-based-occupational-segregation-report-2023-11-06.pdf
    Reports | 2023
    Davidson P; Bradbury B; Wong M; Hill T, 2023, Inequality in Australia 2023: Overview, Australian Council of Social Service and UNSW Sydney, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/28756, https://bit.ly/45vyBe1
    Reports | 2023
    Davidson P; Bradbury B; Wong M, 2023, Poverty in Australia 2023: Who is affected, Australian Council of Social Service and UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 20, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/28757
    Reports | 2022
    Davidson P; Bradbury B; Wong M, 2022, Poverty in Australia 2022: A snapshot, Australian Council of Social Service, in partnership with UNSW Sydney, Sydney, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/28443
    Reports | 2020
    Davidson P; Bradbury B; Hill T; Wong M, 2020, Poverty in Australia 2020: Part 1, Overview, ACOSS, Sydney, ACOSS/UNSW Poverty and Inequality Partnership Report No. 3, http://povertyandinequality.acoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Poverty-in-Australia-2020_Part-1_Overview-1.pdf
    Reports | 2020
    2020, Poverty in Australia 2020: Part 2, Who is affected?
    Reports | 2018
    Davidson P; Saunders P; Bradbury B; Wong M, 2018, Poverty in Australia 2018, Australian Council of Social Service and Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, 2
    Reports | 2018
    Saunders PG; Wong M; Bradbury B; Davidson P, 2018, Inequality in Australia 2018, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney
    Conference Presentations | 2015
    Main G; Wong MO, 2015, 'Youth transitions from education to the labour market in Australia and the UK: Different trajectories and their association with subjective well-being', presented at 5th Conference of the International Society for Child Indicators (ISCI), University of Cape Town, 02 September 2015 - 04 September 2015
    Conference Presentations | 2015
    Main G; Wong MO, 2015, 'Youth transitions from education to the labour market in Australia and the UK: Different trajectories and their association with subjective well-being', presented at Social Policy Association (SPA) Conference, Belfast Metropolitan College, 06 July 2015 - 08 July 2015
    Reports | 2015
    Skattebol J; Hill T; Griffiths A; Wong M, 2015, Unpacking Youth Unemployment: Final report, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, SPRC Report 15/2015, http://www.sprc.unsw.edu.au/media/SPRCFile/Unpacking_Youth_Unemployment__Final_report.pdf
    Conference Presentations | 2015
    Wong MO; Main G, 2015, 'Youth Transitions in Australia and the UK', presented at Australian Social Policy Conference (ASPC), 28 September 2015 - 30 September 2015
    Conference Presentations | 2015
    Wong MO; Saunders P, 2015, 'Towards a Better Understanding of Child Poverty: Evidence for Australia', presented at Australian Social Policy Conference (ASPC), 28 September 2015 - 30 September 2015
    Reports | 2014
    Bates S; Smedley C; Wong M; Kayess R; Fisher KR, 2014, Arthritis and disability, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, SPRC Report 26/14, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/25846, https://www.sprc.unsw.edu.au/media/SPRCFile/Arthritis_and_Disability_2014.pdf
    Reports | 2014
    Keeley M; Katz I; Bates S; Wong M, 2014, Research on youth exposure to, and management of, cyberbullying incidents in Australia Part B: Cyberbullying incidents involving Australian minors, the nature of the incidents and how they are currently being dealt with, Social Policy Research Centre: UNSW Australia, Sydney, SPRC Report 10/14, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/25841, https://www.sprc.unsw.edu.au/media/SPRCFile/Youth_exposure_to_and_management_of_cyberbullying_in_Australia_Part_B.pdf
    Reports | 2014
    Purcal C; Bevan N; Cooper S; Fisher KR; Meltzer A; Wong M; Meyer P, 2014, Self-directed disability support: building people's capacity through peer support and action research, Social Policy Research Centre, Sydney, 7/2014, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/25873, https://www.sprc.unsw.edu.au/media/SPRCFile/Selfdirected_disability_support__building_peoples_capacity.pdf
    Conference Papers | 2014
    Redmond G; Wong ; Bradbury B; Katz I, 2014, 'Intergenerational mobility: new evidence from LSAY data', in 22nd National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference ‘No Frills’: refereed papers, NCVER, Mooloolaba, Queensland, pp. 68 - 75, presented at 22nd National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference ‘No Frills’, Mooloolaba, Queensland, 10 July 2014 - 12 July 2014, http://www.voced.edu.au/content/ngv63419
    Reports | 2013
    Saunders PG; Wong , 2013, Analysis of Legal Aid NSW client social exclusion survey data, 16/2013, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/25898, https://www.sprc.unsw.edu.au/media/SPRCFile/Phase_3_ReportFINAL.pdf
    Reports | 2013
    Saunders PG; Wong , 2013, Australia’s progress in the 21st century: pilot program on measuring social progress, 18/2013, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/25899, https://www.sprc.unsw.edu.au/media/SPRCFile/Pilot_Project_ReportFinal.pdf
    Reports | 2013
    Hilferty F; Muir K; Katz I; Wong M; Eastman C; Gendera S; Griffiths A, 2013, Independent evaluation of the headspace program: Stage 1 Report
    Reports | 2012
    Saunders PG; Wong , 2012, Promoting inclusion and combating deprivation: recent changes in social disadvantage in Australia, 12/2012, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/25908, https://www.sprc.unsw.edu.au/media/SPRCFile/2012_12_FINAL_REPORT.pdf
    Conference Papers | 2011
    Saunders PG; Wong MO, 2011, 'Measurement and Change in Deprivation and Exclusion in Australia', in Measurement and Change in Deprivation and Exclusion in Australia, Second Peter Townsend Memorial Conference: Measuring Poverty: The State of the Art, University of Bristol, presented at Second Peter Townsend Memorial Conference: Measuring Poverty: The State of the Art, University of Bristol, 22 January 2011 - 23 January 2011
    Conference Papers | 2010
    Saunders PG; Wong MO, 2010, 'Has the Financial Crisis Affected Australian Attitudes to Poverty and Inequality?', in Has the Financial Crisis Affected Australian Attitudes to Poverty and Inequality?, 2010 Ninth Australian Society of Heterodox Economists Conference, Sydney, presented at 2010 Ninth Australian Society of Heterodox Economists Conference, Sydney, 06 December 2010 - 07 December 2010
    Conference Presentations | 2009
    Saunders PG; Wong M, 2009, 'Still doing it tough: an update on deprivation and social exclusion among welfare service clients', presented at Australian Social Policy Conference: An Inclusive Society? Practicalities and Possibilities, Sydney, 08 July 2009 - 10 July 2009
    Reports | 2009
    Saunders PG; Wong M, 2009, Still doing it tough: an update on deprivation and social exclusion among welfare service clients, SPRC Report 7/09, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/25857, https://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/media/SPRCFile/2009_Report7_09_Still_doing_it_tough.pdf
    Conference Presentations | 2009
    Wong M; Saunders PG, 2009, 'Identifying Disadvantaged Children: Comparing Alternative Approaches', presented at 2nd International Conference of the International Society for Child Indicators, University of Western Sydney, 04 November 2009 - 05 November 2009
    Theses / Dissertations | 2008
    Wong MO, 2008, The Impact of Trade Liberalisation on Growth, Poverty and Inequality: A Dynamic Computable General Equilbrium Analysis with an Application to Vietnam
    Reports | 2007
    Harris RG; Robertson PE; Wong MO, 2007, Analyzing Economy Wide Effects of Trade Liberalisation on Vietnam using a Dynamic Computable General Equilibrium Model, School of Economics, UNSW, Sydney, School of Economics Discussion Papers No. 2007/24
    Conference Presentations | 2007
    Wong MO, 2007, 'Analysing the Impact of Trade Liberalisation on Vietnam using a Dynamic Computable General Equilibrium Model', presented at 36th Australian Conference of Economists, Hobart, 24 September 2007 - 26 September 2007
    Conference Papers | 2007
    Wong MO, 2007, 'Analysing the impact of trade liberalisation on Vietnam using a dynamic computable general equilibrium model', University of Sydney, presented at 3rd Development Economics Workshop, University of Sydney, 07 June 2007 - 08 June 2007

Economic Society of Australia
Australian Social Policy Association
International Society for Child Indicators

My Teaching

HDR Supervision: Melissa Wong is keen to supervise higher degree research students in the following fields: social policy, measurements in poverty and income inequality.