Professor Hendrik Vollmer is a faculty member in the Accounting Group at Warwick Business School , University of Warwick, since 2020. He previously served as Head of the Accounting Division at the University of Leicester (2015–2020) and worked at Bielefeld University in Germany for 16 years. His research bridges accounting, sociology, and environmental studies, focusing on accounting as a social practice and its role in addressing ecological challenges. Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Associate Editor of European Accounting Review Member of editorial boards for Zeitschrift für Soziologie, Accounting, Organizations and Society, and Social and Environmental Accountability Journal Active in sustainability accounting research and education Contributor to interdisciplinary accounting literature Recent publications explore accounting's role in climate change mitigation, public value creation, and the spatialization of worth. His teaching modules include Accounting for Sustainability, People, Planet and Financial Accounting: Theory and Context .
Professor Will Bateman is a distinguished academic at the Australian National University (ANU) College of Law, where he serves as a Professor and recently completed his term as Associate Dean (Research) from 2021 to 2024. He is also a Chief Investigator for the ANU Grand Challenge project "Humanising Machine Intelligence" and a Fellow at the Gradient Institute, a leading ethical AI research organization based in Sydney. Professor Bateman's educational background is impressive, having earned a PhD and LLM (Hons) from the University of Cambridge and a BA/LLB (Hons) from the Australian National University. Prior to his academic career, he worked in appellate litigation, commercial disputes, and banking as a solicitor at Herbert Smith Freehills, and served as an associate to Justice Stephen Gageler AC of the High Court of Australia and Justice Steven Rares of the Federal Court of Australia. Professor Bateman's research spans two major interdisciplinary domains that sit at the intersection of law with finance and technology. His work on financial regulation focuses on the legal aspects of central banking, sovereign debt markets, digital currencies, and sustainable investing. He has provided expert evidence to the UK Parliament's House of Lords Inquiry into Quantitative Easing, and has collaborated with major financial institutions including the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Bank of England. His research on artificial intelligence examines regulatory frameworks for AI in the public sector, with collaborations including the Minderoo Foundation and the Gradient Institute. His recent publications demonstrate a remarkable breadth across legal theory, financial regulation, and AI governance. The articles reveal a consistent theme of examining how traditional legal frameworks adapt to new financial technologies and monetary policy challenges. His work bridges theoretical legal scholarship with practical policy implications, as evidenced by his numerous government consultations and collaborations with central banks worldwide. 2020 Yorke Prize by the University of Cambridge for his work on public finance and constitutionalism Top 10 all-time most downloaded SSRN paper on central banking ("Central Bank Money: Liability, Asset, or Equity of the Nation?") Professor Bateman actively supervises research students, currently mentoring Benjamin Ettinger who is pursuing a PhD on "Legal Method, Cartels and Public Monopolies: A View From the High Court 1908 - 1948." He has secured significant research funding, including projects funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (UK), the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), and The Minderoo Foundation. His "Rebuilding Macroeconomics Initiative: Legal and Economic Conceptions of Money" received £245,000, while the "FA Mann" project was funded with €620,000 (approximately A$1,012,500). He leads the "Humanising Machine Intelligence" project, an ambitious interdisciplinary initiative involving computer scientists, mathematicians, philosophers, sociologists, psychologists, and lawyers aimed at developing democratically legitimate machine intelligence. He also co-led a major project with the University of Western Australia to formulate model legal frameworks for AI regulation in the public sector, funded by The Minderoo Foundation.
Professor Libby Porter is a leading academic and researcher in urban planning and human geography at RMIT University, Australia. As Director of the Centre for Urban Research (CUR) and Professor in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS), her work focuses on critical urban governance, decolonising planning practices, Indigenous rights, and urban displacement. She holds a prestigious position as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has contributed extensively to international policy debates through her role as Assistant Editor for Planning Theory and Practice . Her research examines settler-colonial dynamics in urban development, public housing policy, and the intersection of planning with Indigenous sovereignty. Notable publications include Unlearning the Colonial Cultures of Planning (2010) and Planning in Indigenous Australia (2018). Libby has held academic roles in the UK and Australia and previously worked in urban planning policy for Victorian Government departments. She supervises students in Honours, Masters, and PhD programs, focusing on topics like Indigenous housing, urban displacement, and environmental policy. Her work has been featured in The Conversation , BBC News, and academic journals. Libby also leads the Critical Urban Governance Research Program and oversees the Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning at RMIT. Awards: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Key Roles: Director, Centre for Urban Research; Co-founder, Planners Network UK; Member, Expert Advisory Panel for Melbourne 2030 Research Themes: Property rights, urban sustainability, decolonisation, Indigenous planning, gentrification
Mark Andrejevic is a Professor in the School of Media, Film, and Journalism at Monash University. He specializes in the socio-cultural implications of digital surveillance, data mining, and automated decision-making. His research spans Big Data ethics, privacy regulation, and the impact of technology on democracy. He leads major projects like the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, focusing on AI’s societal implications. Andrejevic has been awarded Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities and the Nancy Baym Book Award. His work intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals addressing justice and innovation. Research interests include automated surveillance systems, digital privacy policies, and the ethical governance of emerging technologies. He collaborates on projects such as facial recognition technology ethics and pandemic-era surveillance practices. His recent publications analyze platform accountability, algorithmic bias, and the societal effects of workplace monitoring technologies. He actively contributes to public discourse via media engagements and policy-focused talks on topics like facial recognition in education and pandemic-era data collection. Projects: ARC QEII Fellowship ($390k, 2010–2014), Australian Public Attitudes to AI, and facial recognition ethics studies. Grants: Over $390k from ARC for privacy research, plus ongoing funding through collaborative initiatives. Awards: Australian Academy of Humanities Fellowship (2020), Nancy Baym Book Award (2014). He supervises graduate students in Digital Media, Surveillance Studies, and Critical Theory. His interdisciplinary work bridges academia, policy, and industry to address technology’s societal challenges while advocating for democratic values.
Associate Professor Samantha Schulz is a sociologist of education at The University of Adelaide's School of Education, within the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics. She specializes in educational justice, focusing on First Nations education, race critical theory, affect studies, and gender equity. Her work spans international contexts including Kenya, India, China, and Australia's APY Lands. She is co-convenor of the Pedagogies for Justice Research Group, affiliated with CRESI and the Fay Gale Centre for Research on Gender. As Program Director for the Master of Teaching program, she emphasizes socially engaged pedagogies. Recent research includes the ARC-funded 'Culturally Responsive Schooling' project (2022-24) and studies on gender-based violence in educational settings. Her publications explore decolonial methodologies, critical race theory, and the intersection of affect and pedagogy. Her grants include leadership roles in projects addressing Indigenous sovereignty in education, culturally responsive curriculum design, and restorative practices. Notable collaborations involve UniSA and Open University of Cyprus. She co-edits the Routledge 'Local Global Issues in Education' series and actively publishes on topics ranging from toxic masculinity in academia to anti-racist policy frameworks. Her advising focuses on fostering critical scholarship in Masters and PhD candidates, with research supervision emphasizing justice-oriented educational practices. She leads initiatives like 'Teaching in an era of digital influence' and has contributed to policy discussions on preventing violent extremism in schools. Her work bridges theoretical rigor with practical advocacy for marginalized communities in education systems globally.
Clinton Free is a Professor in the Discipline of Accounting, Governance and Regulation at the University of Sydney Business School. He holds leadership roles such as former Deputy Dean and Head of School, Academic Director of the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM), and Deputy Director of the Centre for Law, Markets and Regulation. His research focuses on white-collar crime, corporate governance, management accounting, and auditing. He has received an ARC Future Fellowship and multiple grants, including an ARC Linkage Grant and a major SSHRC grant in Canada. His work spans academic leadership, editorial board roles (e.g., Accounting, Organizations & Society ), and executive education across institutions like Oxford and Queen’s School of Business. Research interests include fraud dynamics, corporate governance reforms, sustainability assurance, and algorithmic management. He has advised private and public sector organizations and won teaching awards for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Clinton’s educational background includes Commerce and Law degrees from UNSW and a doctorate from Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. Recent publications explore fraud offender narratives, algorithmic labor control (e.g., Uber), climate-related disclosures, and critiques of corporate law reforms. He frequently engages with media, discussing topics like Bunnings’ market dominance, illegal phoenixing, and white-collar crime psychology. Grants: ARC Future Fellowship, ARC Linkage Grant, SSHRC Canada Grant Teaching: EMBA courses on leadership and governance Media Contributions: ABC Four Corners, Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review
Associate Professor Helen Adam is a leading academic in the School of Education at Edith Cowan University (ECU), specializing in culturally responsive pedagogy and the role of children’s literature in fostering equity and inclusion. She holds a PhD in Early Years Education (2019) and has extensive experience in primary education and literacy research. Her career includes roles as a teacher, researcher, and leader in teacher education, particularly in addressing systemic inequities through literature. She is Board President of the Primary English Teaching Association of Australia (PETAA) and actively contributes to national and international educational initiatives. Research interests focus on diverse children’s literature, social-emotional development, and dismantling prejudice through books. Notable projects include a Churchill Fellowship (2022) exploring global practices in children’s literature and equity-driven education. Her work has been recognized with awards such as the 2023 Churchill Fellowship and multiple ECU research accolades. Helen supervises postgraduate research in literacy and diversity, including projects on postmodern picturebooks and culturally diverse family representation. She collaborates with institutions like ECU’s Kurongkurl Katitjin Centre for Indigenous Education, emphasizing allyship and support for marginalized groups.
Professor Marinella Marmo is a leading academic in criminology, human rights, and gendered migration studies at Flinders University's College of Business, Government and Law . She serves as a Professor and contributes to institutions like the Centre for Social Impact and the Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies . Education: PhD in Applied Social Science (University of Lancaster, UK), LLB (Honours) (Università di Salerno, Italy). Her research spans international criminal justice , transnational crime , modern slavery , and gendered border control , with work influencing national policies and documentaries. She has secured funding from the Australian Research Council and EU-Australian Government initiatives . Recent publications focus on state-corporate harm and migrant deportation regimes , reflecting her commitment to human rights centred criminology . Awards include the 2023 BGL Team Teaching Award and the 2018 ANZ Society of Criminology Excellence in Teaching Award . She supervises projects on modern slavery , gig economy exploitation , and state crime , aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals like SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work).
Professor Axel Bruns is a Research Professor at Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Digital Media Research Centre (DMRC), an institution renowned for its leadership in media and communication studies. His work focuses on the digital transformation of media, the role of social media in public communication, and the dynamics of political polarization in online environments. Bruns is an internationally recognized innovator in computational methods for social media analysis, emphasizing interdisciplinary mixed-methods approaches to study complex societal phenomena. Research Interests: His research addresses critical challenges such as polarization’s threat to democracy, the role of algorithms in shaping public discourse, and the spread of disinformation. Notable areas include filter bubbles, platform governance, and the interplay between social media and political systems. He has pioneered concepts like 'gatewatching' to analyze news curation practices of digital intermediaries. Key Achievements: Bruns leads a prestigious Australian Laureate Fellowship project examining polarization drivers and dynamics. His work combines rigorous methodological innovation with policy relevance, evidenced by submissions to parliamentary committees on social media regulation. He has mentored numerous doctoral students who have become leading methodologists in their fields. Awards and Collaborations: Recipient of the Australian Laureate Fellowship (2023), Bruns collaborates widely with institutions globally, including Algorithm Watch, the Centre for Responsible Technology, and the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society. These partnerships enable cross-border research into digital media’s societal impacts.
Dr Tracy Qu is a Lecturer in the School of Accountancy at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), within the Faculty of Business & Law. She holds a PhD in Accounting from Griffith University (2018) and is a CPA Australia member (since 2021). Her research focuses on executive remuneration, corporate governance, financial reporting, and environmental accounting. Tracy teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in accounting fundamentals, financial analysis, and business valuation. She has also served as a referee for journals like Accounting and Finance and Australian Journal of Management . Tracy’s research explores intersections between governance structures and executive compensation design, particularly in mitigating agency conflicts. Her work examines topics such as carbon emissions policy impacts on corporate behavior, labeling effects in financial disclosures, and CEO celebrity influence on investment decisions. She actively contributes to academic debates on environmental accounting and sustainability reporting. Tracy is currently accepting research students for Honours, Masters, and PhD programs, focusing on topics like executive compensation efficiency, board interlocks, and compensation consultants’ roles.
Dr Bhishna Bajracharya is an Associate Professor of Urban Planning at Bond University's Faculty of Society & Design. He previously taught at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) for over 12 years and worked as a post-doctoral fellow at the Australian National University. His research focuses on urban sustainability, disaster resilience, and master-planned communities. Education: PhD in Urban Planning, University of Hawaii (200?) MURP in Urban Planning, University of Hawaii BArch in Architecture, Delhi University Research Interests: Smart cities and infrastructure Disaster management and community resilience Transit-oriented development Climate change adaptation Sustainable campus design Knowledge-based regional economies Recent Research Trends: His recent work emphasizes cross-border planning (e.g., Gold Coast Airport integration), megaproject governance, and innovative disaster management frameworks. He frequently collaborates with governments and NGOs to bridge research and policy gaps. Awards & Grants: Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant for community narratives in urban planning Emergency Queensland grant for disaster governance research Advising & Partnerships: Supervising PhD students in urban planning Collaborations with QUT's Creative Industries faculty Member of Bond University's Sustainability Committee Labs & Teams: Affiliated with the Centre for Comparative Construction Research at Bond University, focusing on global urban challenges.
Dr. Holly Doel-Mackaway is an Associate Professor at Macquarie Law School and a leading expert in children's rights, Indigenous studies, and international law. She co-leads the Children’s Rights, Participation and Protection Research Stream in Macquarie’s Faculty of Arts and serves as Co-Editor-In-Chief of the Australian Journal of Human Rights. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on advancing children’s rights globally, with a particular emphasis on Indigenous children’s participation in law and policy development. Dr. Doel-Mackaway holds a PhD in Law from Macquarie University and has extensive international experience with organizations like UNICEF and Save the Children. She teaches courses on Child and Elder Law, International Human Rights Law, and Research Methodologies. Recognized for her teaching excellence, she won the Vice-Chancellor's Learning & Teaching Award in 2021 and was nominated again in 2024. Her research includes groundbreaking work such as the 2022 book Indigenous Children's Right to Participate in Law and Policy Development , which provides a framework for involving Indigenous youth in policy decisions. She leads major grants like the 2024 ARC Linkage Grant on child-centered evidence for social change and collaborates with NGOs and governments across five continents. Key awards include the Macquarie University Executive Dean’s Higher Degree Research Excellence Award (2017) and the Erasmus+ Mobility Grant (2023). She actively participates in international committees like LAWASIA’s Human Rights Committee and advises on child rights in Australia, the Pacific, and beyond. Current research projects include exploring intergenerational policymaking, child protection in the Pacific, and the impact of the Voice to Parliament referendum on Indigenous rights.
Gavin Schwarz is a Professor and Head of School at the School of Management and Governance within the UNSW Business School . He specializes in organizational change , organizational failure and inertia , and the dynamics of virtual teams , with a focus on how organizations fail during change processes and how to develop applied strategies for change management . His work spans diverse sectors including healthcare, technology, and education, with publications in leading journals such as Academy of Management Learning and Education and Administrative Science Quarterly . Education : PhD in Management (University of Queensland), MPhil (Hons) in Management (University of Auckland), BA in Management and English (University of Auckland). Grants : 2020 Brock University grant for "University communication in times of COVID-19" , 2020 UNSW Medicine grant for "Translation and change: Embedding effective change management in health" , and earlier Australian Research Council and Gordon J. Samuels Fellowship awards. His research explores the development of knowledge in organizational theories , with an emphasis on collective responses to change , HR management during crises , and technology strategy . He has contributed to understanding organizational communication , team innovation , and structural inertia . His 15 most recent publications cover topics from AI’s role in organizational change to pandemic-driven research adaptation, with keywords spanning management science , behavioral economics , and digital transformation . Scientific Awards 2021-2023 : Outstanding Reviewer Awards (Academy of Management Review) 2017-2020 : Best Reviewer Awards (Journal of Organizational Behavior) 2019, 2013, 2011 : Best Paper Finalist/Awardee (Academy of Management divisions) 2007, 2006 : Editorial Board Excellence (Academy of Management Journal) and Gordon J. Samuels Fellowship As an active supervisor in organizational change and HR development , his work supports healthcare innovation and digital transformation. He serves as Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science and is on the editorial boards of Academy of Management Review , Journal of Management , and Journal of Organizational Behavior . Contact: g.schwarz@unsw.edu.au
Joel Townsend is an Associate Professor at Monash University's Faculty of Law and serves as Director of Monash Law Clinics, a community legal centre providing experiential education to law students while delivering legal assistance across multiple practice areas including social security, NDIS appeals, tenancy, and migration law. Education: Currently pursuing PhD at Monash University focusing on merits review in Australian public law Townsend's research centers on Administrative Law and Public Law , with specialized expertise in merits review mechanisms , social security law (particularly the Robodebt scheme), disability law (NDIS) , migration law , and tenancy law reform . As an Accredited Specialist in Administrative Law and co-Chair of the Law Institute of Victoria's Administrative Law Advisory Committee, his work directly influences policy development and legal practice through extensive public advocacy and law reform submissions. His scholarly output reveals a critical examination of administrative review systems across diverse contexts, consistently analyzing how automated decision-making impacts government accountability and access to justice. Recent publications demonstrate growing focus on the intersection of technology, public administration, and legal redress mechanisms. Scientific Awards: Vice-Chancellor's Award for Industry and Community Education Programs (Community) (2022) Townsend supervises law students in clinical placements at Monash Law Clinics while leading significant policy initiatives, including a 2023 expert report on third-party merits review for the EPBC Act commissioned by Lock the Gate Alliance Limited. His grant activities extend to Senate committee consultations on automated decision-making and submissions to Victoria's Administrative Reform Review. As Director of Monash Law Clinics, Townsend oversees a multidisciplinary team handling high-impact public interest litigation and community legal services, maintaining strong connections with organizations including Flemington Kensington Community Legal Centre (where he previously served as Board Chair) and Inner Melbourne Community Legal.
Wen He is a Professor of Accounting at the Department of Accounting, Monash Business School, Monash University. He holds an MBA from Lancaster University and a PhD from National University of Singapore (NUS). Prior to joining Monash in 2020, he worked at UNSW and the University of Queensland. His research focuses on auditing, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, dividends, financial reporting, and financial analysts. He has published in top journals such as Contemporary Accounting Research and Journal of Business Finance and Accounting , with recent works exploring regulatory cooperation, climate risk, and cross-border financial policies. Research Interests include: Auditing methodologies and regulatory enforcement Corporate governance in China Climate risk and financial flexibility Dividend policies and payout strategies Financial reporting transparency Recent articles highlight themes such as cross-border regulatory frameworks, auditor performance metrics, and shareholder dissent mechanisms in digital voting systems. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals through studies on corporate social responsibility and environmental accountability. He is actively supervising PhD students and accepting new candidates, particularly in auditing and governance contexts. He has held visiting positions at NUS and Xiamen University, fostering collaborative research networks in Asia. Labs/Teams: Impact Labs (Monash Business School).
