Karen Benson is the Director of the Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation at The University of Queensland. She has held a number of leadership roles at UQ, including Deputy Head of School 2016-2017, Director of Accreditation 2015-2017, and Head of Finance Discipline 2010-2015 in the UQ Business School. Karen was also Deputy President of UQ Academic Board 2018-2019.
Karen's research interests include socially responsible investment, social impact bonds, and student engagement in active learning. Her research has been well received by both practitioners and academics. Karen's work is published in internationally refereed journals including Journal of Banking and Finance, Pacific Basin Finance Journal, and Journal of Business Ethics.
Other Outputs: Progressing assessment at UQ: A background paper
Slade, Christine, McGrath, Dominic and Benson, Karen (2021). Progressing assessment at UQ: A background paper.
Conference Publication: The future is now as educational developers foster academic integrity in universities
Slade, Christine and Benson, Karen (2020). The future is now as educational developers foster academic integrity in universities. ICED 2020, Zurich, Switzerland, 15-19 June 2020. Zurich, Switzerland: ETH.
Other Outputs: Reflections on academic integrity and academic development during COVID-19 at the University of Queensland, Australia
Slade, Christine and Benson, Karen (2020). Reflections on academic integrity and academic development during COVID-19 at the University of Queensland, Australia. Albany, NY, United States: ICAI.
The Importance of Being Politically Connected
(2015–2018) ARC Discovery Projects
Concept videos for BCom students
(2015–2017) Technology-Enhanced Learning Grants
Collaborative Research Activities with Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC)
(2015–2016) Queensland Treasury Corporation
Three Essays on the Consumption Based Asset Pricing Model: Australian Evidence
(2021) Doctor Philosophy
Empirical Essays on Corporate Cash Holdings
(2019) Doctor Philosophy
Real Estate Volatility Index and Its Economic Significance
(2016) Doctor Philosophy
Mendez-Rodriguez, Paz, Galguera, Laura, Bravo, Mila, Benson, Karen, Faff, Robert and Perez-Gladish, Blanca (2015). Profiling ethical investors. Socially responsible investment. (pp. 23-52) edited by Enrique Ballestero, Blanca Pérez-Gladish and Ana Garcia-Bernabeu. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-11836-9_2
The exclusive role of centralized fund family management
Hunter, David, Sun, Zhen and Benson, Karen (2020). The exclusive role of centralized fund family management. Journal of Financial Services Research, 58 (2-3), 199-236. doi: 10.1007/s10693-019-00328-2
Death spiral PIPEs: a reconsideration of the evidence
Benson, Karen, Linnenluecke, Martina K., Morrison, David and Rosov, Sviatoslav (2019). Death spiral PIPEs: a reconsideration of the evidence. Accounting and Finance, 60 (4) acfi.12535, 4175-4194. doi: 10.1111/acfi.12535
How do 'busy' and 'overlap' directors relate to CEO pay structure and incentives?
Pathan, Shams, Wong, Peh Hwa and Benson, Karen (2019). How do 'busy' and 'overlap' directors relate to CEO pay structure and incentives?. Accounting and Finance, 59 (2), 1341-1382. doi: 10.1111/acfi.12272
The enduring and evolving influence of Ball and Brown (1968)
Benson, Karen, Chang, Millicent, Gray, Philip and Wright, Sue (2018). The enduring and evolving influence of Ball and Brown (1968). Australian Journal of Management, 44 (1), 031289621881328-159. doi: 10.1177/0312896218813288
Chang, Yanhao, Benson, Karen and Faff, Robert (2017). Are excess cash holdings more valuable to firms in times of crisis? Financial constraints and governance matters. Pacific Basin Finance Journal, 45, 157-173. doi: 10.1016/j.pacfin.2016.05.007
A specialised volatility index for the new GICS sector - real estate
Mi, Lin, Benson, Karen and Faff, Robert (2017). A specialised volatility index for the new GICS sector - real estate. Economic Modelling, 70, 438-446. doi: 10.1016/j.econmod.2017.08.025
Benson, Karen, Clarkson, Peter M, Smith, Tom and Tutticci, Irene (2016). Corrigendum to: A review of accounting research in the Asia Pacific region (Australian Journal of Management, 40, 1, (36), 10.1177/0312896214565121). Australian Journal of Management, 41 (4), 660-661. doi: 10.1177/0312896216666613
Benson, Karen Leigh and Smith, Tom (2016). Reply to ‘So, who really is a “noted author” within the accounting literature? A reflection on Benson et al. (2015)’. Australian Journal of Management, 41 (4), 656-659. doi: 10.1177/0312896216666612
Li, Yong, Benson, Karen and Faff, Robert (2016). Political constraints and trading strategy in times of market stress: evidence from the Chinese national social security fund. Finance Research Letters, 19, 217-221. doi: 10.1016/j.frl.2016.08.002
Further evidence on idiosyncratic risk and REIT pricing: a cross-country analysis
Mi, Lin, Benson, Karen and Faff, Robert (2016). Further evidence on idiosyncratic risk and REIT pricing: a cross-country analysis. Accounting Research Journal, 29 (1), 34-58. doi: 10.1108/ARJ-07-2013-0048
Injecting liquidity into liquidity research
Benson, Karen, Faff, Robert and Smith, Tom (2015). Injecting liquidity into liquidity research. Pacific Basin Finance Journal, 35 (Part B), 533-540. doi: 10.1016/j.pacfin.2015.10.001
Is diversification always optimal?
Humphrey, Jacquelyn E., Benson, Karen L., Low, Rand K.Y. and Lee, Wei-Lun (2015). Is diversification always optimal?. Pacific Basin Finance Journal, 35 (Part B), 521-532. doi: 10.1016/j.pacfin.2015.09.003
A review of accounting research in the Asia Pacific region
Benson, Karen, Clarkson, Peter M., Smith, Tom and Tutticci, Irene (2015). A review of accounting research in the Asia Pacific region. Australian Journal of Management, 40 (1), 36-88. doi: 10.1177/0312896214565121
A smooth non-parametric estimation framework for safety-first portfolio optimization
Yao, Haixiang, Li, Yong and Benson, Karen (2015). A smooth non-parametric estimation framework for safety-first portfolio optimization. Quantitative Finance, 15 (11), 1865-1884. doi: 10.1080/14697688.2014.971857
Fifty years of finance research in the Asia Pacific Basin
Benson, Karen, Faff, Robert and Smith, Tom (2014). Fifty years of finance research in the Asia Pacific Basin. Accounting and Finance, 54 (2), 335-363. doi: 10.1111/acfi.12081
A comparative analysis of the investment characteristics of alternative gold assets
Pullen, Tim, Benson, Karen and Faff, Robert (2014). A comparative analysis of the investment characteristics of alternative gold assets. Abacus, 50 (1), 76-92. doi: 10.1111/abac.12023
Rekker, Saphira A. C., Benson, Karen L. and Faff, Robert W. (2014). Corporate social responsibility and CEO compensation revisited, do disaggregation, market stress, sender matter?. Journal of Economics and Business, 72, 84-103. doi: 10.1016/j.jeconbus.2013.11.001
Do fund flow-return relations depend on the type of investor? A research note
Humphrey, Jacquelyn E., Benson, Karen L. and Brailsford, Timothy J. (2013). Do fund flow-return relations depend on the type of investor? A research note. Abacus, 49 (1), 34-45. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6281.2012.00374.x
Benson, Karen and Faff, Robert (2013). β. Abacus, 49 (Supplement 1), 24-31. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6281.2012.00380.x
Profiling socially responsible investors: Australian evidence
Pérez-Gladish, Blanca, Benson, Karen and Faff, Robert (2012). Profiling socially responsible investors: Australian evidence. Australian Journal of Management, 37 (2), 189-209. doi: 10.1177/0312896211429158
Governance in the Australian Superannuation Industry
Benson, Karen L., Hutchinson, Marion and Sriram, Ashwin (2011). Governance in the Australian Superannuation Industry. Journal of Business Ethics, 99 (2), 183-200. doi: 10.1007/s10551-010-0648-1
Socially responsible investment fund performance: The impact of screening intensity
Lee, Darren D., Humphrey, Jacquelyn E., Benson, Karen L. and Ahn, Jason Y. K. (2010). Socially responsible investment fund performance: The impact of screening intensity. Accounting and Finance, 50 (2), 351-370. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-629X.2009.00336.x
The simultaneous relation between fund flows and returns
Benson, Karen L., Faff, Robert W. and Smith, Tom (2010). The simultaneous relation between fund flows and returns. Australian Journal of Management, 35 (1), 51-18. doi: 10.1177/0312896209354217
Socially responsible investment funds: Investor reaction to current and past returns
Benson, Karen L. and Humphrey, Jacquelyn E. (2008). Socially responsible investment funds: Investor reaction to current and past returns. Journal of Banking and Finance, 32 (9), 1850-1859. doi: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2007.12.013
Fortune favours the bold? Exploring tournament behavior among Australian superannuation funds
Hallahan, T., Faff, R. W. and Benson, K. L. (2008). Fortune favours the bold? Exploring tournament behavior among Australian superannuation funds. Journal of Financial Services Research, 33 (3), 205-220. doi: 10.1007/s10693-008-0030-y
Portfolio construction and performance measurement when returns are non-normal
Benson, K., Gray, P., Kalotay, E. and Qiu, J. (2008). Portfolio construction and performance measurement when returns are non-normal. Australian Journal of Management, 32 (3), 445-461. doi: 10.1177/031289620803200304
The relevance of family characteristics to individual fund flows
Benson, K., Tang, G. and Tutticci, I. (2008). The relevance of family characteristics to individual fund flows. Australian Journal of Management, 32 (3), 419-443. doi: 10.1177/031289620803200303
Do derivatives have a role in the risk shifting behaviour of fund managers?
Benson, K. L., Faff, R. W. and Nowland, J. (2007). Do derivatives have a role in the risk shifting behaviour of fund managers?. Australian Journal of Management, 32 (2), 271-292.
Momentum investing and the asset allocation decision
Benson, Karen L., Gallagher, David R. and Teodorowski, Patrick (2007). Momentum investing and the asset allocation decision. Accounting and Finance, 47 (4), 571-598. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-629x.2007.00227.x
Benson, Karen L. and Faff, Robert W. (2006). Conditional performance evaluation and the relevance of money flows for Australian international equity funds. Pacific Basin Finance Journal, 14 (3), 231-249. doi: 10.1016/j.pacfin.2005.10.002
Do socially responsible fund managers really invest differently?
Benson, K. L., Brailsford, T. J. and Humphrey, J. E. (2006). Do socially responsible fund managers really invest differently?. Journal of Business Ethics, 65 (4), 337-357. doi: 10.1007/s10551-006-0003-8
Comparing SRI funds and conventional funds
Benson, K. L. and Humphrey, J. E. (2005). Comparing SRI funds and conventional funds. Portfolio Construction Journal, 2 (1), 30-33.
Does the short rate predict market returns?
Benson, K. L. and Gray, P. K. (2005). Does the short rate predict market returns?. Journal of Investment Strategy, 1 (1), 59-62.
Benson, Karen L. and Faff, Robert W. (2004). The relationship between exchange rate exposure, currency risk management and performance of international equity funds. Pacific Basin Finance Journal, 12 (3), 333-357. doi: 10.1016/j.pacfin.2003.10.001
Investigating performance benchmarks in the context of international trusts: Australian evidence
Benson, K. L. and Faff, R. W. (2004). Investigating performance benchmarks in the context of international trusts: Australian evidence. Applied Financial Economics, 14 (9), 631-644. doi: 10.1080/0960310032000
Management motivation for using financial derivatives in Australia
Benson, Karen and Oliver, Barry (2004). Management motivation for using financial derivatives in Australia. Australian Journal of Management, 29 (2), 225-242. doi: 10.1177/031289620402900205
Exchange rate sensitivity of Australian international equity funds
Benson, Karen L. and Faff, Robert W. (2003). Exchange rate sensitivity of Australian international equity funds. Global Finance Journal, 14 (1), 95-120. doi: 10.1016/S1044-0283(03)00007-3
A performance analysis of Australian international equity trusts
Benson, K. L. and Faff, R. W. (2003). A performance analysis of Australian international equity trusts. Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, 13 (1), 69-84. doi: 10.1016/S1042-4431(02)00027-6
An investigation of the relationship between stated fund management policy and market timing ability
Benson, Karen, Pope, Peter and Faff, Robert (2003). An investigation of the relationship between stated fund management policy and market timing ability. Pacific Accounting Review, 15 (1), 1-15. doi: 10.1108/eb037969
An investigation of the relationship between stated fund management policy and market timing ability
Benson, K. L., Pope, P. and Faff, R. W. (2003). An investigation of the relationship between stated fund management policy and market timing ability. Pacific Accounting Review, 15 (1), 1-16.
Benson, K. L., Pope, P. and Faff, R. W. (2003). The relevance of investor risk classes in ranking fund performance: An application of the Extended Mean-Gini CAPM. Journal of Quantitative Economics, 1 (1), 20-35. doi: 10.1007/bf03404646
The future is now as educational developers foster academic integrity in universities
Slade, Christine and Benson, Karen (2020). The future is now as educational developers foster academic integrity in universities. ICED 2020, Zurich, Switzerland, 15-19 June 2020. Zurich, Switzerland: ETH.
Benson, K. L. and Faff, R. W. (2003). Conditional performance evaluation and the relevance of money flows for Australian international equity funds. AFAANZ 2003 Annual Conference, Brisbane, 6-8 July, 2003. Melbourne: AFAANZ.
Benson, K. L. (2002). The relationship between exchange rate exposure, currency risk management and performance of international equity funds. 2002 Research Student Colloquium, Riverglenn Conference Centre, Indooroopilly, 1 June, 2002. The University of Queensland, St Lucia: UQ Business School.
Benson, Karen L. and Faff, Robert W. (2002). The relationship between exchange rate exposure, currency risk management and performance of international equity funds. AAANZ 2002 Annual Conference, Perth, Western Australia, 7-9 July, 2002. Melbourne, Vic: AAANZ.
Progressing assessment at UQ: A background paper
Slade, Christine, McGrath, Dominic and Benson, Karen (2021). Progressing assessment at UQ: A background paper.
Slade, Christine and Benson, Karen (2020). Reflections on academic integrity and academic development during COVID-19 at the University of Queensland, Australia. Albany, NY, United States: ICAI.
Taking Contract Cheating Seriously: Institutional-Student Partnership for Action
Slade, Christine, Benson, Karen, Adams, Peter, Franklin, Craig, van roo Douglas, Ethan and Evans, Rowan (2020). Taking Contract Cheating Seriously: Institutional-Student Partnership for Action. United States of America: International Center for Academic Integrity.
An examination of social benefit bonds: a report prepared for Queensland Treasury Corporation
Benson, Karen L., Humphrey, Jacquelyn and Pullen, Timothy (2016). An examination of social benefit bonds: a report prepared for Queensland Treasury Corporation. Brisbane, Australia:
Australian superannuation fund investment in agriculture 2014/2015
Faff, Robert, Benson, Karen and James, Wilma (2015). Australian superannuation fund investment in agriculture 2014/2015.
The Importance of Being Politically Connected
(2015–2018) ARC Discovery Projects
Concept videos for BCom students
(2015–2017) Technology-Enhanced Learning Grants
Collaborative Research Activities with Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC)
(2015–2016) Queensland Treasury Corporation
Financial Sector Development and Bank Off-Balance Sheet Activities
(2014–2015) Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand
Surviving financial crises: a study of the Australian Government securities market
(2012–2013) ARC Discovery Projects
(2011–2012) Australian National University
Superannuation Funds: Ensuring the Financial Health of Australians in Retirement
(2007–2009) ARC Discovery Projects
Socially Responsible Investment Funds: Performance Persistence and Fund Flows
(2006–2007) Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand
The Assessment of the Impact of Derivatives on Australian Equity Fund Performance and Risk
(2003–2004) UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
Three Essays on the Consumption Based Asset Pricing Model: Australian Evidence
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Empirical Essays on Corporate Cash Holdings
(2019) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Real Estate Volatility Index and Its Economic Significance
(2016) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Three Essays on the financial Analysis of the Political Actions of the Chinese National Social Security Fund
(2016) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Three Essays on Modelling Asymmetric Mutual Fund Performance
(2013) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Corporate social performance and the financial performance link: an Australian analysis
(2010) Master Philosophy — Principal Advisor
An examination of impact investments
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Three Essays on Empirical Corporate Finance
(2017) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
A state preference approach to jump risk
(2015) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Three essays on earnings, returns and liquidity risk
(2013) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Investors' Appetite for Returns: Further Analysis of Aggregate Fund Flow
(2008) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor