Professor Meg Smith

Professor Meg Smith

Interim Dean - School of Business,
Dean's Unit, School of Business

Professor of Gender, Work and Employment Relations,
Human Resources & Management

Biography

Professor Meg Smith has an extensive research record in the area of gender equity, a key prerequisite to sustainable employment outcomes. Her expertise in pay equity investigations and institutional explanations for the undervaluation of feminised work has been the basis of international and domestic journal articles, research consultancy, expert opinion and submissions to parliamentary inquiries. Meg's scholarship has focused in contrasting and complimentary approaches to gender equity evaluation and regulation. These include equal rights discourses in industrial and discrimination-based legislation, and also gender equity auditing and reporting. Professor Meg Smith’s expertise in the concept of gender undervaluation was reflected in her appointment by the FWC to complete a research-based independent report to assist parties to the proceedings under Part 2 – 7 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (together with Professor Andrew Stewart and Dr Robyn Layton). She has previously undertaken research case studies, highlighting undervaluation, that were the basis of examination in the NSW Pay Equity Inquiry. Most recently (September 2020) she co-edited a special issue of the Journal of Industrial Relations assessing the application of the principle of equal pay for work of equal value, as expressed in the International Labour Organization (ILO) Equal Remuneration Convention (No.100) of 1951. Based on case studies from Australia, New Zealand and three East Asian countries (Japan, South Korea and China), the special issue examined the ways in which this principle has been given effect within different regulatory regimes, identifying limitations to its incorporation into legislation and wage-setting processes, barriers to its implementation in practice and inconsistencies in its application over time. 

This information has been contributed by Professor Smith.

Qualifications

  • PhD Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

Organisational Unit (School / Division)

  • Dean's Unit, School of Business
  • Human Resources & Management

Contact

Email: meg.smith@westernsydney.edu.au
Phone: (02) 9685 9561
(02) 9685 9561
Mobile:
Location: 1.1.10
1PSQ

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Teaching

Previous Teaching Areas

  • 200613 Negotiation, Bargaining and Advocacy, 2014

Publications

Chapters in Books

  • Whitehouse, G. and Smith, M. (2024), 'Prosecuting pay equity in Australia : evolving strategies in the context of declining institutional advantages', Evolution of the Gender Pay Gap: A Comparative Perspective, Routledge 9781032368160.
  • Charlesworth, S. and Smith, M. (2018), 'Gender pay equity', The Wages Crisis in Australia: What it is and What to do About it, University of Adelaide Press 9781925261820.
  • Smith, M. (2015), 'Defending the indefensible : myths about the gender pay gap', Politics, Policy and the Chance of Change: The Conversation Yearbook 2015, Melbourne University Press 9780522869811.
  • Smith, M. and Ewer, P. (2005), 'What about working women', The State of Industrial Relations: The State of the States 2005, Evatt Foundation 14430819.
  • Smith, M. and Ewer, P. (2003), 'Enterprise bargaining and union decline: part of the problem, not the solution', Developments in Enterprise Bargaining in Australia, Tertiary Press 086458315X.

Journal Articles

  • Gao, J., Wu, H., You, J. and Smith, M. (2021), 'Migrant entrepreneurs and firm innovation', Accounting and Finance, vol 61, no 5 , pp 6069 - 6112.
  • Nakandala, D., Smith, M. and Lau, H. (2020), 'Shared power and fairness in trust-based supply chain relationships in an urban local food system', British Food Journal, vol 122, no 3 , pp 870 - 883.
  • Blackman, D., Burgmann, M., Hall, P., Hayes, F., Junor, A. and Smith, M. (2020), 'From equal pay to overcoming undervaluation : the Australian National Pay Equity Coalition 1988-2011', Journal of Industrial Relations, vol 64, no 4 , pp 582 - 607.
  • Whitehouse, G. and Smith, M. (2020), 'Equal pay for work of equal value, wage-setting and the gender pay gap', Journal of Industrial Relations, vol 62, no 4 , pp 519 - 532.
  • Smith, M. and Whitehouse, G. (2020), 'Wage-setting and gender pay equality in Australia : advances, retreats and future prospects', Journal of Industrial Relations, vol 62, no 4 , pp 533 - 559.
  • Smith, M. and Stewart, A. (2017), 'Shall I compare thee to a fitter and turner? : the role of comparators in pay equity regulation', Australian Journal of Labour Law, vol 30 , pp 113 - 136.
  • Smith, M., Layton, R. and Stewart, A. (2017), 'Inclusion, reversal, or displacement? : classifying regulatory approaches to pay equity', Comparative Labor Law and Policy Journal, vol 39 , pp 211 - 245.
  • Smith, M. and Stewart, A. (2014), 'Equal remuneration and the Social and Community Services case : progress or diversion on the road to pay equity?', Australian Journal of Labour Law, vol 27, no 1 , pp 31 - 56.
  • Smith, M. and Moore, D. (2014), 'Fairness, free agency and Franklin : the forever complex nature of industrial relations in sport', International Journal of Employment Studies, vol 22, no 1 , pp 5 - 38.
  • Tannous, K. and Smith, M. (2013), 'Access to full-time employment : does gender matter?', Australian Journal of Labour Economics, vol 16, no 2 , pp 237 - 257.
  • Tannous, K. and Smith, M. (2012), 'Volunteering as a strategy to fill gaps in my resume! : findings from a study on jobless individuals in four states in Australia', International Employment Relations Review, vol 18, no 2 , pp 25 - 39.
  • Smith, M. (2011), 'Limits and Possibilities: Rights-based Discourses in Australian Gender Pay Equity Reform 1969-2007', Gender, Work and Organization, vol 18, no SUPPL. 1 , pp 180 - 201.
  • Smith, M. (2011), 'Gender Equity: The Commission's Legacy and the Challenge for Fair Work Australia', Journal of Industrial Relations, vol 53, no 5 , pp 647 - 661.
  • Smith, M. and Stewart, A. (2010), 'A new dawn for pay equity : developing an Equal Remuneration Principle under the Fair Work Act', Australian Journal of Labour law, vol 23, no 3 , pp 152 - 168.
  • Junor, A., Hampspn, I. and Smith, M. (2009), 'Valuing skills : helping mainstream gender equity in the New Zealand state sector', Public Policy and Administration, vol 24, no 2 , pp 195 - 211.
  • Smith, M. (2009), 'Gender Pay Equity Reform in Australia: What is the Way Forward', Australian Bulletin of Labour, vol 35, no 4 , pp 652 - 670.
  • Lyons, M. and Smith, M. (2008), 'Gender pay equity, wage fixation and industrial relations reform in Australia : one step forward and two steps backwards', Employee Relations, vol 30, no 1 , pp 4 - 19.
  • Lyons, M. and Smith, M. (2007), 'WorkChoices and pay equity', Hecate, vol 33, no 1 , pp 81 - 93.
  • Smith, M. and Lyons, M. (2007), '2020 vision or 1920's myopia? Recent developments in gender pay equity in Australia', International Employment Relations Review, vol 13, no 2 , pp 27 - 39.
  • Lyons, M. and Smith, M. (2007), 'Children's services, wages and WorkChoices: A 'fairer' workplace relations system', Australian Journal of Early Childhood, vol 32, no 3 , pp 26 - 32.
  • Smith, M. and Lyons, M. (2006), 'Women, wages and industrial relations in Australia: The past, the present and the future', International Jorunal of Employment Studies, vol 14, no 2 , pp 1 - 18.
  • Smith, M. and Lyons, M. (2006), 'Crying wolf? Employers, awards, and pay equity in the New South Wales children's services industry', Employment Relations Record, vol 6, no 1 , pp 49 - 63.
  • Smith, M. (2003), 'Accepting mediocrity as progress: Gender pay equity and enterprise bargaining', International Employment Relations Review, vol 9, no 1 , pp 89 - 104.
  • Bain, L., Mortimer, D., Smith, M. and Bond, S. (2003), 'Linking Skills Development to Employment Opportunities: The Parramatta Skills Development and Employment Generation Project', Employment Relations Record, vol 3, no 2 , pp 29 - 45.
  • Bain, L., Smith, M., Mortimer, D. and Bond, S. (2001), 'Regional Unemployment and Community Learning Networks: Do Employment Surveys have a role', Employment Relations Record, vol 1, no 2 , pp 9 - 23.

Conference Papers

  • Smith, M. and Tannous, K. (2012), 'Access to markets : does gender matter?', Australian Labour Market Research Workshop, Canberra, A.C.T..
  • Tannous, K. and Smith, M. (2011), 'Access to finance in small business: Does gender count?', 10th Australian Society of Heterodox Economists Conference, Universit.
  • Lyons, M. and Smith, M. (2007), 'Lax Merit and the Fair Pay Wars: Is Pay Equity 'Slippin Away'', The Sixth Annual Pacific Employment Relations Association- Conference Proceedings, Rockford Hotel, Adelaide.
  • Lyons, M. and Smith, M. (2006), 'Gender Pay Equity, Wage Fixation and Work Choices: Forward to the Past', 1st Biennial Conference of the National Network of Working Women's Centres, Griffith University.
  • Smith, M. (2005), 'Why gender pay equity is compromised by the demise of industry collectivity: Women's experience of equal remuneration at HPM Industries', 5th Annual Pacific Employment Relations Association Conference, Rydges Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon, Qld.
  • Smith, M. and Valdez, A. (2004), 'The stalled progress of gender pay equity: Signs of convergence - Australia and the United States', 12th Annual Conmference of the International Employment Relations Association (IERA): Regionalism and Globalisation - The challenge for employment relations, Rydes Capricorn Resort, Yepoon, (Rockhampton) Queensland, Australia.
  • Smith, M. (2003), 'Pay equity in NSW: A complex terrain of capital/state/labour relations', Twentieth Annual Conference of the Association of Industrial Relations Academics of Australia and New Zealand, AIRAANZ, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Smith, M. (2003), 'Neccessary but on their own insufficient: Web based technologies in a learning environment', Thitd Teaching, Learning and Research Conference of the Australasian Division of the International Employment Relations Conference, Monash University.
  • Smith, M. (2002), 'Accepting mediocrity as progress: Gender pay equity and enterprise bargaining', Tenth annual conference of the International Employment Relatons Association, Gold Coast, Australia.
  • Smith, M. (2001), 'Gender, Industrial Relations and Teaching Students Born in the Eighties', Inaugural International Employment Relations Association Teaching and Learning Symposium, Sydney Australia.
  • Bain, L., Mortimer, D., Smith, M. and Bond, S. (2001), 'Regional Unemployment and Community Learning Networks:Do Employment Surveys have a Role', Employment Relations in the New Economy: The Ninth Annual Conference of the International Employment Relations Association, Singapore and Malaysia.
  • Smith, M., Mortimer, D. and Bond, S. (2001), 'The Western Sydney Job Vacancy Survey - Five Years of Employment Trends', AIRAANZ 2001: The 15th AIRAANZ Conference, Wollongong.

Other Publications

  • 2018, 'Strategies, Opportunities and Barriers: Mapping the New World of Work: An Australian Screen Industry Roundtable Summary Report: Western Sydney University, Parramatta City Campus, 8 February 2018', Report
  • 2017, 'Vice-Chancellor's Gender Equality Fund Final Report 2017: Illuminating and Understanding Women's and Men's Experiences Navigating Family Care Responsibilities and Their Academic Careers', Report
  • 2013, 'Equal Remuneration under the Fair Work Act 2009: A report for the Pay Equity Unit of the Fair Work Commission', Report

Previous Projects

Title: Equal remuneration, work value and job evaluation: An assessment
Funder:
  • Public Service Association of NSW
Western Researchers: Michael Lyons and Meg Smith
Years: 2019-05-01 - 2019-12-15
ID: P00025856
Title: The Research Visit of Dr William J Puette, University of Hawaii expert in private arbitration under the Howard Government's
Funder:
  • University of Western Sydney
Western Researchers: Meg Smith and Nikola Balnave
Years: 2006-01-25 - 2007-01-24
ID: P0014924
Title: Literature review for the Modern Awards Review 2023-24 relating to the workplace relations settings within modern awards that impact people when balancing work and care
Funder:
  • Fair Work Commission
Western Researchers: Meg Smith
Years: 2023-11-24 - 2024-03-01
ID: P00029001
Title: Expert opinion - Work Value Case in the Fair Work Commission
Funder:
  • Gordon Legal
Western Researchers: Meg Smith and Michael Lyons
Years: 2021-08-18 - 2021-10-01
ID: P00027434

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