Dr Kathy Rao is a Senior Lecturer in Accounting in UniSA Business. She has a PhD in Corporate Social Responsibility focusing on gender diversity in Australian listed companies. She is a full member of CPA Australia and is committed to the provision of high-quality education to her students in the areas of both financial accounting and management accounting.   
Kathy is undertaking research that has real world impact.  Her research expertise includes CSR and Management & Governance, seeking to contribute to the development of the social and economic conditions of society locally and globally. Specifically, her research focusses on issues of power imbalance and includes work on gender diversity and modern slavery. Moreover, she contributes to a number of projects on regional Australia, contributing to enhancing social and economic outcomes for rural business owners.
Kathy has published her research in high ranking international academic journals including Journal of Business Ethics, Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal and Meditari Accountancy Research. Her professional publications includes articles in Acuity Magazine and Company Director Magazine. Her research has been recognised via the 2016 highly commended paper in the Emerald Literati Awards, and she has more than 1000 Google Scholar citations. Her recent publication on the barriers to women on boards received significant media coverage including social media, radio and television interviews.
Kathy was recently awarded funding from the Regional Australia Institute to investigate disaster recovery pathways for businesses in regional Australia which has resulted in strength-based recommendations for action across all levels of government.
Kathy is currently supervising three HDR students who are undertaking projects related to workplace gender equality and CSR, including: board diversity and CSR; women entrepreneurs in regional Australia; and sustainable entrepreneurs and Corporate social Responsibility (CSR).