About
Dr. Tom Conley is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University. He is a member of the Griffith Asia Institute and previously served in the Centre for Governance and Public Policy (2003–2012). His research focuses on Australian foreign policy, political economy, and economic globalization, with a particular emphasis on vulnerability in Australia's global economic context. Conley holds a PhD from the University of Adelaide (1994–1999) and has authored or co-authored numerous books, including The Vulnerable Country: Australia and the Global Economy, which won the 2009 David Harold Tribe Philosophy Award.
His teaching spans political economy and Australian foreign policy. He has supervised doctoral and master’s students on topics such as austerity politics, economic policy reform, and fiscal policy changes. Conley’s research outputs include analyses of Australia’s automotive industry decline, housing and debt vulnerabilities, and geopolitical dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region. He has also contributed to policy discussions on globalization’s domestic impacts and sustainable economic frameworks.
Key awards:
- 2009 David Harold Tribe Philosophy Award for The Vulnerable Country
Advising and grants: Conley has led supervision of 12 graduate students and directed multiple programs, including the Bachelor of Government and International Relations. His work intersects with sustainable development goals like reducing poverty (SDG 1) and fostering innovation (SDG 9).
Labs/Teams: Active member of the Griffith Asia Institute and involved in cross-disciplinary research on governance and public policy.
