Emily Bala

Emily Bala is in her second year of a double degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and Accounting at the Australian National University. She has a strong interest in international political economy and the political and economic forces shaping Australia's trade relationships across Asia. Her interest was first sparked by exploring how Australia's economic engagement with the region has evolved through successive waves of trade liberalisation, and how this history continues to shape the country's position as a globally connected economy. This interest has since expanded into a broader fascination with international political economy, particularly how institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Reserve Bank of Australia shape economic governance, influence policy, and contribute to economic stability in response to domestic and global challenges.

 Professionally, Emily is a Finance Officer with the Australian Government Department of Finance. She also serves as Sponsorship Director for the Financial Management Association of Australia (FMAA) at ANU, where she helps develop relationships between students and industry. In 2026, she was selected as a delegate to the Asia-Australia Emerging Leaders Summit, reflecting her commitment to strengthening Australia's engagement with the Indo-Pacific and contributing to meaningful dialogue on the region's future economic opportunities, policy challenges, and shared priorities.