Emma Power

Emma Power is an Associate Professor and Director of Academic Programs in Geography, Tourism, Planning, and Humanitarian and Development Studies at Western Sydney University's School of Social Sciences. Her research focuses on urban equity, housing policy, and social welfare systems, with an emphasis on marginalized communities such as low-income households, older women, and asylum seekers.

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Macquarie University)
• Bachelor of Social Science (Macquarie University)
• Graduate Diploma in Education (Macquarie University)

Research Interests: Emma's work examines housing as an infrastructure of care, addressing urban inequities and climate resilience. Key projects include:

• Shadow Care Infrastructures (ARC Discovery Project, 2021-2025) analyzing survival strategies for income support recipients.
• Cooling the Commons (ARC Linkage Project, 2022-2025) exploring climate readiness in social housing.
• Advocacy for housing equity through collaborations with organizations like the National Foundation of Australian Women and WESTIR.

Grants & Projects: Leads/co-investigator on 12+ projects, including funded initiatives on aging populations, urban heat mitigation, and cooperative housing. Collaborates with entities like the Australian Research Council, Bridge Housing, and Common Equity NSW.

Labs & Teams: Active in interdisciplinary teams at Western Sydney University, focusing on urban geography and housing policy. Engages with community organizations to translate research into policy, such as co-authoring the Gender Lens on the Federal Budget.