Alison Barnes

National President, National Tertiary Education Union

Dr Alison Barnes is the National President of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU). She was elected to the position in October 2018. Before taking up her role as National President, Alison served as Assistant Secretary in the NTEU NSW Division and Branch President at Macquarie University. While at Macquarie University, Alison was a Senior Lecturer in the School of Management. Her research interests include union strategy, the development of workplace resistance and industrial relations.

Alison has had a strong commitment to unions since her university days as an Australian Services Union member while working in a call centre. She first joined the NTEU as a casual tutor at UNSW, and has been actively involved in the Union throughout her academic career.

Outside of work, she runs but this is mainly so she can keep up with her family.