Maathu Ranjan is a Sir Roland Wilson Scholar at the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University. Her doctoral research investigates the drivers of increasing prevalence of Autism, focusing on the impact of government support schemes.
Maathu is currently on leave from the Australian Government. She is a qualified Actuary with experience in the disability, heath and general insurance sectors and was most recently a Senior Actuary at the National Disability Insurance Agency. She led the Actuarial Strategic Initiatives team evaluating key Scheme initiatives and priorities. Her work ranged over various strategic policy and service delivery areas including the early childhood strategy, framework for consistent decision making, review of pricing arrangements, intergovernmental agreements and workforce modelling.
Maathu is a Fellow of the Actuaries Institute, Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary and Board member of the Actuaries Institute Australia. She won the Actuaries Institute’s Melville Prize and the International Actuarial Association’s Bob Alting von Geusau Prize for research conducted in her Honours degree in Actuarial Studies from the University of New South Wales.
PhD programme
Supervisor(s) and panel members
Topic title
Publications
Research & Thought Leadership
“Providing Better Support for Children with Autism and Developmental Delay”, Maathu Ranjan and Anthony Lowe, 4 September 2023, Actuaries Institute, https://www.actuaries.asn.au/docs/thought-leadership-reports/dialogue-pa...
“Three NDIS reforms to better support those in need, especially children with autism”, Maathu Ranjan and Robert Breunig, 21 June 2023, The Mandarin, https://www.themandarin.com.au/223201-three-ndis-reforms-to-better-suppo...
Nirmalendran, Maathumai & Sherris, Michael & Hanewald, Katja. (2014). Pricing and solvency of value-maximizing life annuity providers. Astin Bulletin. 44. 10.1017/asb.2013.25.
Media Commentary
Quoted in “States told: stump up to support the NDIS”, Stephen Lunn, 7 September 2023, The Australian, https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/ndis-future-depends-on-...
Quoted in “Bloated NDIS encourages providers to keep children in care: experts”, Tom Burton, 5 September 2023, Australian Financial Review, https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/bloated-ndis-encourages-providers-to- keep-children-in-care-experts-20230904-p5e1qk
Quoted in “Autism services need overhaul - The NDIS review is an opportunity that must not be wasted”, Editorial, 5 September 2023, The Australian, https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/editorials/autism-services- need-overhaul/news-story/d8fce65427c51f817e4faf741695b40f
Quoted in “NDIS skews autism rates”, Stephen Lunn, 4 September 2023, The Australian, https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/ndis-creating-winners-and-losers...
Radio
Quoted on 2GB “The Ben Fordham Breakfast Show”, Comment Piece on NDIS Reforms, 5 September 2023
Quoted on ABC Illawarra Wollongong “Breakfast with Melinda James”, Interview with Dr Martin Lafferty on Medicalisation of autism and community support programs for children, 5 September 2023
Interviewed on ABC Canberra “Mornings with Lish Fejer”, Providing better support for children with autism and Developmental delay, 4 September 2023 Interviewed on 6PR Canberra “Mornings with Gary Adshead”, Providing better support for children with autism and Developmental delay, 4 September 2023
Interviewed on syndicate of regional radio including 2SM, New FM Newcastle, 2LM Lismore, REAL FM Mudgee, 2GF Grafton, 2HC Coffs Harbor, 2EL Orange, Providing better support for children with autism and Developmental delay, 4 September 2023
Scholarships and fellowships
Sir Roland Wilson Scholarship
Mailing address
Crawford School of Public Policy
ANU College of Asia & the Pacific
J.G. Crawford Building No. 132
Lennox Crossing
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
Updated: 27 April 2024/Responsible Officer: Crawford Engagement/Page Contact: CAP Web Team
