Margaret Alston has, in recent times, conducted research on the social impacts of climate-induced slowonset and catastrophic events in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. She has particularly focused on identifying gendered impacts, and the strategies required to address gender inequalities in post-disaster adaptation and reconstruction activities. She is a Foundation Fellow for the Australian College of Social Workers and is the past-Chair of the Australian Council of Heads of Schools of Social Work. and has published widely in the field of rural gender, rural social and social work issues. She has acted as a gender expert for UN–Habitat in Kenya, the Food and Agricultural Organisation in Rome, UNESCO in the Pacific and UNEP in Geneva. She received her Medal of the Order of Australia in 2010 for services to social work and the advancement of women, particularly in rural areas.