Feminist Economics and Public Policy ─ Reflections on the Work and Impact of Ailsa McKay

Professor Ailsa McKay, who was known not only for her work as a feminist economist but also her influence on Scottish social and economic policy, died in 2014 at the height of her academic career and impact on public life. Organised around the key themes of Ailsa McKay’s work, this collection brings together eminent contributors to argue for the importance of making women's roles and needs more visible in economic and social policies.

Feminist Economics and Public Policy presents a uniquely coherent analysis of key issues including gender mainstreaming, universal childcare provision and universal basic income security, in the context of today’s challenging economic and political environments. It draws on international perspectives to look at the economic role of women, presenting readers with interrelated sections on gender budgeting and work and childcare, before concluding with a discussion on Citizens Basic Income and how it could contribute towards a more efficient, equitable social security system. The theoretical, empirical and practice based contributions assembled here present recommendations for more effective public policy, working towards a world in which women’s diverse roles are recognized and fully accounted for.

This book is a unique collection, which will be of great relevance to those studying gender and economics, as well as to researchers or policy makers.

Jim Campbell is a Reader in Economics at Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland, UK.

Morag Gillespie, now retired, was formerly a Senior Research Fellow at Glasgow Caledonian University and a member of Women in Scotland’s Economy Research Centre, UK.