Jarrod Ray Hore is a Scientia Lecturer in the School of Humanities & Languages at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, and Co-Director of the New Earth Histories Research Program. His work explores environmental history, settler colonialism, and the intersections of science, geology, and cultural landscapes. Hore’s research focuses on landscape photography’s role in shaping colonial projects, earthquake geology, and the logistics of the natural history trade. He has published widely in journals like the Pacific Historical Review and Australian Historical Studies, and his award-winning book *Visions of Nature* (2022) examines how photography reinforced settler territoriality. His research interests span environmental history, transnational history, the history of science, and colonial studies. Key areas include the history of settler colonialism in Australia, New Zealand, and North America, as well as the cultural and scientific dimensions of geological exploration. Hore actively supervises HDR and honours students in environmental history, colonial history, and the history of photography. His awards include the Marilyn Lake Prize (2023) and Donna Coates Prize (2022), with shortlist recognitions for prestigious history awards. Beyond academia, he teaches courses like *A House Divided: The Making of Modern America* (ARTS2150), emphasizing U.S. histories of race, class, and global engagement. Hore’s work bridges environmental humanities and colonial studies, analyzing how visual and scientific practices reinforced imperial and settler agendas. His current projects explore the material and logistical networks underpinning natural history collections and the epistemologies of colonial geology.
Professor Patrick Moss is a leading academic in Physical Geography and Head of School at QUT's School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences. His research focuses on understanding landscape responses to climate change and human impacts, with expertise in palaeoecology, Quaternary Science, and environmental management. He holds a PhD from Monash University and supervises PhD and undergraduate students in these disciplines. Key research interests include wetland resilience, fire ecology, and the application of palynology to environmental history. His work integrates archaeological perspectives to address contemporary conservation challenges, such as ecosystem restoration and climate adaptation strategies. Publications span over three decades, emphasizing global fire regimes, human-environment interactions, and Quaternary environmental reconstruction. Collaborations include international projects on peatlands, monsoon variability, and volcanic ash stratigraphy.
Professor Hilary Bambrick is a distinguished environmental epidemiologist and anthropologist at the Australian National University (ANU), leading the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health. She specializes in climate change and health, focusing on adaptation strategies, vector-borne diseases, and urban resilience. Her work bridges research, policy, and practice, with significant contributions to global health initiatives like the WHO and UNDP. Bambrick has over 180 publications and $11M in research funding, addressing climate impacts on vulnerable populations, including First Nations communities and Pacific Island nations. She serves on the Climate Council of Australia and the Australia Institute, advocating for evidence-based climate policies. Her research integrates epidemiology, anthropology, and environmental science to enhance health resilience in changing climates. Education: PhD (ANU, 2003), BA (Hons), BSc, Grad Cert Higher Ed. Key Research Focus: Climate change health impacts, adaptation strategies, vector-borne diseases, urban design, and health equity. She leads interdisciplinary projects on climate litigation, heatwaves, and infectious disease forecasting. Grants & Funding: Over $11 million in research grants, including projects on bushfire preparedness, dengue transmission modeling, and climate-sensitive disease surveillance. Labs/Teams: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (ANU), collaborating with global networks like the Lancet Countdown and MJA-Lancet Countdown.
Nicholas Hoare serves as a Pacific History Research Fellow at the Department of Pacific Affairs, Australian National University (ANU), specializing in colonial and environmental histories of Francophone and Anglophone Pacific regions with focused expertise on phosphate islands and Pacific biography. His educational foundation includes a PhD in History from ANU (awarded 12 April 2021) for the thesis Re-Mining Makatea: People, Politics, and Phosphate Rock . Research interests span colonial history , environmental history , and Pacific biography , with regional emphasis on French Polynesia , Nauru , and broader Pacific Islands. He actively teaches Australia's 19th–20th century Oceania presence and WWII in Pacific Islands contexts. Recent publications demonstrate concentrated engagement with phosphate island histories , nuclear legacies , and gender studies , featuring significant book review contributions that critically analyze Pacific environmental and biographical scholarship. Hoare serves on the Journal of Pacific History Editorial Board (since June 2024) and previously collaborated with the Oceania Working Party of the Australian Dictionary of Biography and Pacific Manuscripts Bureau. He is registered to supervise honours and HDR students in Pacific history and was Co-Investigator for the Developing a Pacific Australian Dictionary of Biography project (2020–2022). His scholarly networks include active participation in the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau and Australian Dictionary of Biography initiatives, supporting Pacific-focused archival preservation and biographical research.
Professor Mindy Blaise is a Vice Chancellor’s Research Fellow and Director of the Centre for People, Place and Planet at Edith Cowan University (ECU), Western Australia. Her transdisciplinary research focuses on feminist knowledge production, anticolonial practices, and pedagogies addressing environmental crises and social inequities. Blaise holds a Doctor of Education (1999) from the United States and has held academic positions at institutions including the University of Texas, Austin, and The Education University of Hong Kong. Her research interests include experimental pedagogies for the Anthropocene, queer theory, postdevelopmentalism, and multi-species ethnography. She leads major projects like the ARC Discovery Project on 'Understanding and Addressing Everyday Sexisms in Australian Universities' and collaborates internationally through collectives such as #FEAS (Feminist Educators Against Sexism), which won the 2023-2025 AARE award. Blaise’s recent articles explore topics like regenerative sustainability education, feminist postdevelopmental lexicons, and ecological grief in childhood. Her work often bridges early childhood education with environmental humanities, emphasizing ethical relations with non-human worlds. Grants include funding from the ARC, Healthway, and philanthropic foundations for projects on climate justice, Indigenous knowledge transfer, and anti-sexism initiatives. Professional associations: AARE, AERA, Gender and Education Association Research supervision: Over 15 completed PhD/MEd projects focusing on gender, ecology, and pedagogy Labs/teams: Director of ECU’s strategic research centre; co-founder of Common Worlds Research Collective and The Ediths
David Caldwell is an Associate Professor at the School of Education within UniSA Education Futures at the University of South Australia. His research focuses on transdisciplinary learning, particularly in the context of ecojustice and place-based education. He co-led the Fresh Water Literacies project, funded by UniSA's Research Themes Investment Scheme, which developed interdisciplinary curricula to address sustainability and ecological literacy in primary education. His work often bridges education, environmental science, and social semiotics. Key contributions include publications on pre-service teacher training, linguistic analysis in sports discourse, and innovative pedagogical approaches in diverse educational settings. He collaborates with regional organizations like Natural Resources Management (NRM) and emphasizes collaborative, transdisciplinary research. His recent work explores NLP applications in creativity assessment and the role of language in shaping cultural identities. David also serves as a Research Degree Supervisor, contributing to the academic development of emerging scholars in education and linguistics. His research highlights intersections between education, ecology, and cultural systems, aiming to foster socially just and scientifically literate communities.
Dr. William Gatherer is a Lecturer in Chinese translation at the School of Languages and Cultures , The University of Queensland , and a NAATI-accredited professional translator. His academic journey includes a BA (Hons) from SOAS, University of London, and a PhD in Comparative Literature from UQ. Education: BA (Hons) in Chinese Studies, SOAS, University of London PhD in Comparative Literature, The University of Queensland His research focuses on Chinese metafiction , particularly the works of avant-garde author Ma Yuan (马原), and the translation of metafictional and self-reflexive elements from Chinese to English. Additional interests include post-postmodernism , transnational literature , and eco-conscious narratives in contemporary Chinese fiction. Recent publications explore comparative post-postmodernism and eco-anxiety in Ma Yuan’s Anthropocene-themed fiction (2023–2024), alongside foundational studies on translation fidelity in self-reflexive texts (2016–2021). His 2021 monograph Ma Yuan: The Chinese Avant-Garde, Metafiction, and Post-Postmodernism provides a comprehensive theoretical framework for analyzing metafiction in transnational contexts. Scientific awards include a 2017 Ministry of Culture of the PRC fellowship for Sinological research in China. He serves as Associate Advisor for Dr. Wendy Jiang’s 2021 PhD study on Howard Goldblatt’s translation of Mo Yan’s novels and has presented extensively on Chinese-English translation challenges at international conferences (2018–2024). As a practicing commercial translator , Gatherer specializes in translating Chinese medical research into English, bridging academic and practical applications of translation theory.
Alex Munt is an Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), affiliated with the Faculty of Design and Society. He serves as a key member of the Creative Practice Research Group and previously held the position of Acting Dean for Strategic Higher Degree Research Development at the UTS Graduate Research School from January to December 2021. With a background spanning both creative industries and academia, Munt brings extensive practical experience to his academic role, having worked for a decade in design, architecture, and 3D digital media before transitioning to film and academic work. Munt's educational background includes a PhD in Communications from Macquarie University (2010), a Graduate Certificate in Media Arts and Production (Film & Video) from the University of Technology Sydney (2004), and a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) from the University of Adelaide (1996). His academic journey reflects a deliberate movement from architecture to film and media studies, creating a unique interdisciplinary perspective that informs his research and teaching. Munt's research expertise focuses on microbudget screen development and production in Australian and international contexts, with particular interest in expanded screenwriting practices, innovative screen aesthetics, and alternative models of film production. He examines granular aspects of film style, particularly diverse approaches to mise-en-scène, and explores how non-industrial filmmaking environments produce distinctive cinematic results. His work extends to expanded modes of moving image production, including video art, artist's moving image installations, and Cinematic Virtual Reality (CVR). Munt's research has been incorporated into Screen Australia's Story Development documents to support Australian low-budget screenwriters and directors. An analysis of Munt's recent publications reveals a clear trajectory toward immersive media and virtual reality storytelling. His work increasingly focuses on the theoretical and practical challenges of screenwriting for virtual reality environments, exploring spatial narrative structures, user embodiment, and the relationship between traditional filmmaking techniques and emerging immersive technologies. The research demonstrates how cinematic virtual reality requires rethinking fundamental elements of screen storytelling, particularly in relation to spatiality, narrative emphasis, and structural elements that differ significantly from conventional film. Four feature films as writer/director: LBF (2010), Poor Little Rich Girls (2013), Collectors (2021), and Isaac's Dream (2023) International recognition with award-nominated films screened and distributed worldwide Contributions to Screen Australia's Story Development documents Editor of the significant anthology 'Screenwriting for Virtual Reality: Story, Space and Experience' (2024) Munt supervises Higher Degree Research students with a particular emphasis on working with industry-based creatives who seek to rethink, reshape, and sustain their creative screen practices. His teaching philosophy draws on the lineage and evolution of indie, alternative, DIY, and microbudget approaches to film conception, development, and production. He views these approaches as creatively sustainable methods that both stand apart from and inform industrial modes of screen production. His research, teaching, and engagement all focus on creativity, creative practice research, and professional practice in film and creative screen media. As a practicing filmmaker and academic, Munt bridges theory and practice through the Creative Practice Research Group at UTS. His work demonstrates how academic research can directly inform and enhance creative practice while simultaneously advancing scholarly understanding of emerging media forms. His current focus on cinematic virtual reality represents a natural evolution of his longstanding interest in innovative screen aesthetics and alternative production models.
Zuleyha Keskin serves as Associate Professor and Associate Head of School at the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation (CISAC) at Charles Sturt University, where she co-founded ISRA Australia in 2009 leading to CISAC's establishment. She has directed multiple Islamic studies programs since 2010 including Bachelor and Master degrees, and currently teaches courses on Islamic spirituality and contemporary Islamic studies. Keskin also serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Australian Journal of Islamic Studies and Vice President of the Australian Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies. Her educational background includes: Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) from University of Sydney Master of Arts (MA) from University of Sydney PhD from Australian Catholic University Keskin's research centers on Islamic spirituality, inner peace, and Islamic psycho-spirituality, with significant contributions to understanding Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's works. Her scholarship bridges traditional Islamic thought with contemporary psychological frameworks, examining how Islamic spiritual practices contribute to mental wellbeing. She has published extensively on Islamic theology and ethics, social justice, and women in Islam, making substantial contributions to Australian Islamic studies. Analysis of her publication record reveals a clear trajectory from foundational work on Said Nursi's perspectives toward increasingly applied research in Islamic psychology and contemporary social challenges. Her recent work explores intersections between Islamic thought and modern issues including risk management, environmental protection, and mental health, demonstrating growing interdisciplinary engagement while maintaining theological depth. Professional leadership roles include: Editor-in-Chief, Australian Journal of Islamic Studies Vice President, Australian Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies Member, Wellbeing and Mental Health Research Group Organising Committee Member, Women Acknowledging Women Awards Muslim Scholar Adviser, Australian Catholic Council for Inter-religious Relations Keskin actively supervises four doctoral candidates focusing on halal certification, Muslim leadership development, and youth entrepreneurship in Australia. Her academic service extends to editorial work, conference organization, and interfaith dialogue initiatives that strengthen Muslim-non-Muslim relations. With an h-index of 16, her research demonstrates significant scholarly impact in the field. She contributes to the Wellbeing and Mental Health Research Group, developing research that is 'insightful, inclusive, and inspiring' by connecting Islamic spiritual traditions with contemporary wellbeing approaches. This work creates meaningful bridges between religious studies, psychology, and social sciences in addressing modern mental health challenges.
Millicent McCreath is a Scientia PhD Candidate and Teaching Fellow at UNSW Law & Justice. She holds a BA (Environmental Studies) and LLB (Hons) from UNSW, an LLM (Law of the Sea) from the University of Tromsø, and a GDLP from ANU. Her doctoral research focuses on marine environmental protection, state responsibility, and dispute settlement. She was a Research Associate at the National University of Singapore’s Oceans Law and Policy Programme (2017–2019) and remains affiliated as a Global Associate. Her work addresses law of the sea issues in the Asia-Pacific, including climate change litigation and marine governance. Notable roles include serving as Tipstaff to Justice Pain of the Land and Environment Court of NSW (2016) and being admitted as a solicitor in NSW. Her research interests span Law of the Sea, Public International Law, and International Environmental Law. Key publications include analyses of dispute resolution mechanisms, marine environmental protection, and climate change adaptation. She has presented globally, focusing on topics like advisory opinions in international courts and coastal state obligations. McCreath received the Rhodes Academy’s best written exam prize (2017) and has contributed to edited volumes on high seas governance and climate change litigation. Her affiliations include the UNSW Environmental Law Group and collaborations with international institutions like the Centre for International Law in Singapore.
Associate Professor Meg Samuelson is affiliated with the School of Humanities at the University of Adelaide. Her research focuses on postcolonial literatures of the Indian Ocean world, African diasporic narratives, and environmental humanities. Key interests include oceanic cultural studies, maritime histories, and the intersections of ecology with literary form. Her work often engages with questions of spatiality, displacement, and cosmopolitanism in texts from South Africa and beyond. Her scholarly contributions emphasize transoceanic networks, material textuality in colonial contexts, and the reimagining of global literary geographies. Notable projects explore amphibious narrative forms shaped by coastal and littoral environments. She has published extensively on authors such as Abdulrazak Gurnah, Zoë Wicomb, and K. Sello Duiker, analyzing how their works negotiate postcolonial identities through oceanic frameworks. Recent publications (2023) investigate containerization's environmental impact and blue focalization techniques in contemporary fiction. Earlier works (2020-2010) address urban imaginaries, ecocritical perspectives, and the role of coastal spaces in shaping cultural memory. Though no formal awards are listed, her impactful scholarship has influenced critical debates in postcolonial and world literature studies. Her academic profile reflects a sustained engagement with the University of Adelaide's humanities initiatives, with research office located in the Napier Building on North Terrace campus. No student advisees or grant details are explicitly noted in current records.
Dr. Dashiell Moore is a Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) Fellow in English and Writing at the University of Sydney, affiliated with the Discipline of English and Writing within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. His research focuses on literary and historical connections between island carceral sites, including plantations, reserves, and detention centres, with a particular emphasis on Australian, Pacific, and Caribbean writing. He holds a BA (Honours) and PhD (University of Sydney), and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE). Moore’s academic work spans world literature, postcolonial theory, Indigenous studies, and environmental humanities. His current DECRA project challenges Australia’s insular identity by analyzing carceral narratives in literature. He co-edited Lionel Fogarty in Poetry and Politics (Palgrave Macmillan, 2025) and authored The Literary Mirroring of Aboriginal Australia and the Caribbean (Oxford UP, 2024). His research has appeared in top journals like Textual Practice , Small Axe , and Australian Literary Studies . Awards: DECRA Fellowship, Roderick Visiting Fellowship, Vice Chancellor's Teaching Award, Educational Innovation Award. Grants: ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award for "Archipelagic Connections in Australian and Pacific Literature" (2024). Labs/Teams: Leading the DECRA-funded project on island narratives and co-editing initiatives on Lionel Fogarty’s poetry.
David R. Cole is an Associate Professor in Secondary Literacy with ESL/English Curriculum & Pedagogy at Western Sydney University's School of Education. His academic career includes a Doctor of Philosophy, Postgraduate Certificate in Education, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Liverpool. His research focuses on educational theory within the context of the Anthropocene, Deleuze and Guattari’s philosophies, and climate change impacts on pedagogy. He has led projects such as 'Analysing academic trends through participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award' and 'Mobilise: Children's Rights Education through Creative Arts.' Cole’s work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing environmental sustainability and social justice. His research outputs span articles, chapters, and books addressing topics like educational nomadism, pandemic dynamics, and eco-sophical cinema. He has collaborated internationally, including with Shiraz University, and mentored teams in initiatives like 'Education in the Anthropocene.' Cole is actively involved in grants and datasets, such as the 'Mobilise' project dataset archived at Western Sydney University. His work often bridges philosophy, education, and environmental science, advocating innovative teaching methodologies for contemporary global challenges.
Associate Professor Linda Knight is an academic and artist at RMIT University's School of Education, specializing in critical and speculative arts, posthuman philosophies, and early childhood education. Her work explores urban contexts, more-than-human citizenship, and reparative practices through experimental cartographies and art. She leads the RMIT Mapping Future Imaginaries network, fostering global collaborations in futures-focused research. With over 50 scholarly publications and 92 exhibitions, her projects include the Making Connection festival and ARC Discovery grants totaling AU$1.4M. Knight co-founded the Guerrilla Knowledge Unit and #FEAS collective, addressing AI ethics and academic sexism through arts activism. Her teaching focuses on early childhood education, and she actively supervises postgraduate research in creative and interdisciplinary domains.
Dr Mark Meekan is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia. He holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences from Griffith University (1993), focusing on coral reef fish population dynamics. With over 30 years of expertise, his research spans tropical marine ecosystems, elasmobranch ecology, and coral reef conservation. He supervises post-doctoral and PhD students globally, contributing to projects on sharks and reef fish across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. His research interests include elasmobranch population dynamics, behavioral ecology, and threatened species conservation. He serves as Chief Specialist Editor for Frontiers in Marine Science’s Marine Megafauna section. Key areas of focus are predator-prey interactions, coral reef health, and the ecological impacts of climate change. He has authored over 300 peer-reviewed articles and led collaborative projects on marine megafauna movement, anthropogenic threats, and ecosystem resilience. Recent work highlights include studies on whale shark habitat connectivity, tiger shark distribution drivers, and the ecological consequences of predator removals on coral reefs. He actively engages in global marine conservation initiatives, emphasizing the need for evidence-based management strategies to protect marine biodiversity. His contributions extend to acoustic telemetry networks and large-scale experiments assessing seismic survey impacts on marine life. Dr Meekan collaborates internationally, with projects in Australia, Seychelles, and the Red Sea. His work addresses Sustainable Development Goals related to life below water (SDG 14), particularly marine ecosystem preservation and sustainable fisheries. Grants include studies on shark population dynamics and marine reserve effectiveness, funded by institutions like the Minderoo Foundation and WA Department of Environment. He leads datasets and projects on manta ray behavior, coral reef recovery, and whale shark collision risks with shipping. His research underscores the critical role of marine megafauna in maintaining healthy ecosystems, advocating for integrated conservation approaches to mitigate human-induced environmental changes.
