Academic Actuaries with Dr Benjamin Avanzi and Martin Mulcare

Tell us what you thought of this episode! Picture an insurance project manager and a university researcher meeting for coffee. One asks, “What are you delivering, and by when?” The other replies, “I’m not sure yet - that’s rather the point.” Who’s got it right? As it turns out, both.  In this episode, guest host Martin Mulcare sits down with Dr Benjamin Avanzi, Professor of Actuarial Studies at the University of Melbourne. Benjamin trained as an actuary in Switzerland, moved to Australia in 2008, and has built a research career that runs from reserving and capital modelling through to climate risk and insurance affordability. Here’s what I’ve learned from listening: academia isn’t the ivory tower we sometimes imagine. It runs on a different clock, with a different definition of accountability. What does this mean for actuaries working with universities, or thinking about joining one?  **Key takeaways**  - **Understand** the 40-40-20 split - most Australian academics spend about 40% on research, 40% on education and 20% on leadership, engagement and admin. - **Recognise** the research pivot - Benjamin’s own shifts, from insurer-funded reserving work to a climate-risk model and the Resilient Homes research, started with the right people, a real problem and good timing. - **Bridge** the mindset gap - industry works backwards from a deadline, while research starts with where to put your energy and sees what emerges. - **Measure** impact, not just output - promotion depends on whether you’ve changed how people think or act, not only on papers published. - **Build** resilience before brilliance - a PhD asks for self-motivation and persistence far more than genius. So here’s the question I’m left with: where could *you* add the most value over the next five years?  This episode was guest-hosted by Martin Mulcare.  Connect with Benjamin on LinkedIn. Connect with Martin on LinkedIn.     Read Julia’s leadership development books written especially for actuaries: - For new and aspiring managers: "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit" - For new and aspiring senior leaders: "Senior Leadership: An Essential Guide for Actuaries" We are featured in the Top 21 Actuary Podcasts on Feedspot. Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you follow your favourite podcasts, blogs, and news in one place. Thank you for listening to the We Are Actuaries podcast. Connect with Julia and Guardian Actuarial on LinkedIn. For more interviews and articles, visit our website.