Tim Higgins is Associate Dean (Research) in the College of Business and Economics, and is also Associate Professor of Actuarial Studies and a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia. His primary area of research is income-contingent loan (ICL) theory and applications, with a focus on policy analysis, model development and costing of existing and proposed schemes. His research into ICL has included the financing of tertiary education (both in Australia and abroad), and applications of ICL and related policy development in areas including paid parental leave, mature-aged training, domestic violence, sustainable farming, and household electrification.   

Other research interests include stochastic modelling of earnings dynamics, demographic modelling, financial literacy and behaviour, and superannuation and retirement policy.  Tim’s research has been funded through the Australian Research Council’s Linkage Projects and the Academies Linkage Grant (Academy of Social Sciences of Australia). His work has appeared in top peer reviewed journals including Economics of Education Review and Plos One and he has also made direct contributions to parliamentary and government agenda, independent and industry practice, with analysis and insights provided in the media.

Tim is co-editor and author of Income Contingent Loans: Theory, Practice and Prospects with Professors Bruce Chapman and Joseph Stiglitz. He was joint recipient of the ANU 2014 Vice-Chancellor’s award for Public Policy and Outreach.

Tim has taught a large number of actuarial and statistics courses at ANU over the past 20 years including Introduction to Actuarial Studies, Financial Mathematics, Life Contingencies, Actuarial Techniques, Risk Theory, Actuarial Control Cycle, Advanced General Insurance, Enterprise Risk Management and Risk Modelling. He received the Vice Chancellor’s award for Excellence in Teaching in 2005.