Hal Pawson is an Emeritus Professor at UNSW (University of New South Wales) in Sydney, where he moved in 2011 from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. His academic career has been dedicated to developing and extending research interests in housing, transitioning to Emeritus Professor status in September 2025.

His research primarily focuses on critical areas such as homelessness, social housing, home ownership, private rental markets, and housing policy governance.