Dr. Maria B. Yanotti is a Senior Lecturer in Economics at the Tasmanian School of Business and Economics, University of Tasmania, specialising in applied and policy-relevant economic analysis that addresses the contemporary challenges shaping regional communities, economies, and systems transformation in Tasmania and beyond.
Maria is an empirical economist with expertise in housing and social issues. Her research focuses on housing markets, housing finance, housing-related macroeconomic dynamics and housing policy, with particular attention to their implications for economic productivity, financial stability, and social outcomes. Housing affordability and accessibility are critical enablers of workforce participation, engagement in education, and health and wellbeing, promoting productivity and regional development. Understanding the housing system is crucial for policymakers and for social wellbeing, equity, and inclusive growth at local, national, and international levels.
Maria was an academic advisor for the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation, NHFIC (now Housing Australia), and engages with key policy institutions, including the RBA and ATO. She has extensive experience in policy oriented research funding (AHURI) and in working with government, contributing evidence-based insights that support housing policy development, economic decision-making, and institutional responses to ongoing structural challenges.
Maria collaborates on multidisciplinary projects beyond housing economics and finance, many of which engage with environmental sustainability, regional productivity, and placemaking. An economics framework provides the analytical tools and perspective to understand and explain complex contemporaneous challenges. Maria has collaborated with government, industry and interdisciplinary research teams on projects exploring social issues including green energy in economic growth, microplastics in marine systems, sustainable grain irrigation, innovation in agri-food sector, and the economics and social value of cultural and creative initiatives and organisations, contributing to broader community outcomes and regional resilience.
Maria has strong expertise in quantitative analysis, applying advanced statistical and econometric methodologies to generate robust evidence from complex data to produce insights with direct policy relevance, supporting informed decision-making and contributing to economic and social policy outcomes.
Maria is the Tasmanian chair for the Women in Economics Network (WEN) and an active member of the Economic Society of Australia (ESA) Tasmanian branch, contributing to professional engagement, leadership, and the development of inclusive and diverse economics communities.
Maria Yanotti
