Educated at Sydney Grammar School, the University of Sydney and Macquarie University, noted psychologist and social researcher Hugh Mackay has published, as well as his novels, a number of works of non-fiction including Better Communication (audio tapes with Caroline Jones, 1982), Reinventing Australia (1993), Why Don't People Listen (1994), Media Mania : Why Our Fear of Modern Media is Misplaced (2002), Right and Wrong: How to Decide for Yourself (2004) and Advance Australia...Where?(2007).
Mackay established his own research and consulting business (Mackay Research) in 1971 and the Centre for Communication Studies in Bathurst in 1974. His studies of the behaviour and attitudes of the Australian community have been published in his quarterly research series, The Mackay Report (1979-2003) and The Ipsos Mackay Report (2003-) Mackay was elected a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society in 1985. In recognition of his pioneering work in social research, Mackay has been awarded honorary doctorates by the University of New South Wales, Macquarie and Charles Sturt universities.
