Dr Craig Emerson is an eminent economist with 35 years of experience in public policy, politics and public service. He is managing director of Emerson Economics, director of the APEC Study Centre at RMIT University, visiting fellow at the ANU and adjunct professor at Victoria University’s College of Business.

Dr Emerson was Australian Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in the Gillard Government.

Earlier in his career, Dr Emerson was a Senior Adviser to Prime Minister Bob Hawke, advising Mr Hawke on economic and trade policy during the period of forging close relationships between Australia and China. He has a PhD in Economics from the Australian National University under the supervision of Professor Ross Garnaut.