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 Simon Buckingham Shum is a leading academic in Learning Informatics at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), serving as inaugural Director of the Connected Intelligence Centre since 2014. His work bridges Human-Computer Interaction, Educational Technology, and Learning Analytics to develop AI-driven tools like OnTask that enhance student belonging through personalized feedback. Key research areas: Human-Computer Interaction, Learning Analytics, AI in Education, Collective Intelligence Recent work focuses: LLM-augmented qualitative analysis, Belonging Analytics frameworks, and ethical AI implementation in education CIC received the 2024 Vice-Chancellor’s Student Experience Award for scaling OnTask across multiple faculties. His contributions span over 30 years, including founding roles at The Open University’s Knowledge Media Institute and innovations in Open Educational Resources (OER), SocialLearn, and FutureLearn platforms. Notable awards: 2024 Student Experience Award (OnTask), Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), DEFI STRI Researcher at University of Cambridge Education: B.Sc. in Psychology (York), M.Sc. in Ergonomics (UCL), PhD in Human-Computer Interaction (York) He leads multidisciplinary collaborations with teams across Business, Law, and Education faculties, pioneering tools like Theme Explorer and Qreframer bot. His recent focus on the "metacrisis" reframes educational technology’s role in addressing global systemic challenges through transdisciplinary approaches.
Christopher Turbill is an Associate Professor in Animal Science at Western Sydney University's School of Science, where he maintains an active research program focused on animal physiological ecology. He is affiliated with the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment and serves as a Principal Investigator on multiple research projects while accepting HDR candidates for supervision. PhD from University of New England (2006) Thesis: Thermoregulatory Ecology of Tree-roosting Bats Supervised by Prof. Fritz Geiser Postdoctoral fellowships from Austrian Science Fund and Australian Research Council (DECRA) Former ecologist with NSW Government Professor Turbill's research integrates thermal and metabolic physiology with behavioral ecology to understand animal-environment interactions. His work has revealed significant ecological consequences of controlled body temperature variation in mammals and birds, linking these processes with metabolic energy expenditure, activity patterns, and life-history strategies. He specializes in bat biology and investigates conflicts between human environmental change and animal conservation requirements. His research keywords include ecophysiology, thermoregulation, energy expenditure, life-history ecology, body temperature, torpor, hibernation, and wildlife conservation. Analysis of Turbill's recent publications reveals a strong focus on thermal biology and conservation physiology, particularly regarding bats and birds. His work examines how animals manage energy through torpor, respond to climate change through thermal regulation, and adapt to anthropogenic disturbances. The research spans field studies of flying-foxes, microbats, and passerine birds across Australian ecosystems, with increasing emphasis on conservation applications related to white-nose syndrome, fire impacts, and wind energy development. Turbill leads significant research projects including the Ecology of the eastern horseshoe bat and its sensitivity to fire impacts (2024-2027), Vulnerability of Australian bats to white-nose syndrome (2021-2026), and Torpor use and burrowing behaviour in an arid zone passerine (2024). His work attracts funding from diverse sources including the Australian Research Council, Department of Planning and Environment, and various conservation organizations. Professor Turbill directs the BatsLab research group, which maintains a virtual hub for bat research at Western Sydney University. His team employs advanced methodologies including thermal imaging, GPS tracking, and physiological monitoring to study animal responses to environmental challenges. Current work focuses on developing conservation interventions for heat-stressed flying-foxes and assessing vulnerabilities of Australian bat species to emerging diseases.
Associate Professor David Jeffery is affiliated with the University of Adelaide's School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, within the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology. He holds an academic rank of Associate Professor/Reader and is based at Wine Innovation Central in the Waite campus. His research focuses on grape and wine chemistry, particularly aroma, flavor, and polyphenol analysis using advanced techniques like HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS. He investigates the impact of vineyard and winemaking conditions on wine composition, including studies on tannin behavior, sulfur compounds, and oxidative processes. Jeffery co-authored the textbook *Understanding Wine Chemistry*, a global resource in wine science education. His work also explores machine learning applications for predicting sensory traits and authenticating wine origins. Active in mentoring, he supervises Masters and PhD students in topics spanning analytical method development, compound synthesis, and wine quality enhancement. Research highlights include studies on wildfire smoke mitigation in wine production, fluorescence spectroscopy for quality control, and mathematical modeling of anthocyanin interactions. He collaborates with industry partners like Wine Australia and leads projects funded by the ARC Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production. His contributions bridge fundamental chemical research with practical applications in the wine industry, addressing challenges like climate change impacts and sustainable winemaking practices.
Dr Juliet Bennett is a Research Fellow at the Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies (SCHS) and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney. Her work bridges process philosophy with systemic interventions for social and ecological wellbeing. She holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies, focusing on paradigm shifts from static to process thinking. Previously, she managed collaborative research at Sydney Policy Lab and directed the Sydney Peace Foundation. Education: PhD (Peace and Conflict Studies), MPhil/MA (Peace and Conflict Studies). Teaching includes units on peace studies, narratology, and structural violence at the University of Sydney and Lenoir Rhyne University. Research interests center on mitigating social/ecological injustice, structural violence, and climate change through critical sociology, contextual economics, and participatory methods. Current projects examine food systems and ultra-processed foods via critical social theory. Awards: 2020 Excellence in Teaching for 'Key Issues in Peace and Conflict Studies'. Memberships include Sydney Policy Lab, New Economic Networks Australia, and the International Peace Research Association. Publications span process philosophy applications, climate policy, and participatory research methods. Her work advocates for systemic transformations toward ecological civilization through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Associate Professor Madeline Taylor is an Australian Research Council (ARC) Early Career Industry Fellow at Macquarie Law School and Co-Lead of the Energy, Communities, and Market Regulation Stream at the Transforming Energy Markets Research Centre. She specializes in socio-legal aspects of energy transition, focusing on regulatory frameworks, energy justice, and land-use conflicts between energy developers and communities. Her work bridges property law, commercial law, and comparative law to address challenges in renewable energy integration and resource governance. Affiliations: Honorary Associate at Sydney Environment Institute, Member of Sydney Institute of Agriculture Industry Partners: NSW Department of Primary Industries and Spark Renewables (FAARM Project) Research Interests: Energy law and policy, agricultural-legal synergies, renewable energy siting, and just transition principles. She co-edits the Oil, Gas and Energy Law Journal and contributes to the LexisNexis Energy and Resources Law in Australia . Recent Articles Highlight Key Themes: Offshore wind governance, agrivoltaics regulatory systems, hydrogen licensing, and energy justice frameworks. These works emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to balancing economic, environmental, and social dimensions of energy transitions. Awards: 2023 Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Academic/Researcher of the Year, 2024 AFR Higher Education Awards Finalist, Clean Energy Council Transformational Leadership Scholarship Teaching and Engagement: Embeds climate justice in commercial law education; advises governments and NGOs on energy policy. Active in RE-Alliance Management Committee and IUCN Climate Change Law initiatives.
Professor Anthony Richardson is a mathematical ecologist at the University of Queensland , holding a joint position with CSIRO Environment since 2005. He leads the Mathematical Marine Ecology Lab , focusing on marine conservation through mathematical, statistical, and computational modeling. School of the Environment, Faculty of Science, University of Queensland Affiliate, Centre for Marine Science Affiliate, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science Research Interests span marine spatial planning (climate-smart protected areas, 3D ocean zoning), marine ecosystem modeling (lower trophic levels, plankton-dynamics), and climate change impacts (carbon sequestration, fisheries productivity, and marine diseases). His work has been cited in IPCC Assessment Reports and emphasizes international collaboration through projects like the Global Working Group on Climate Change Synthesis . Recent Publications focus on Zooplankton's role in carbon cycling Climate-smart marine protected area design Ecosystem modeling under climate uncertainty Marine megafauna connectivity patterns Supervision is offered for >250 peer-reviewed papers and advanced projects in climate-smart conservation planning, with established funding from ARC Discovery Projects and Norwegian Polar Institute .
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.
Christopher O'Donnell is a Professor of Econometrics at the University of Queensland's School of Economics. He holds a PhD from the University of Sydney and has held academic leadership roles including Director of the Centre for Efficiency and Productivity Analysis. His research focuses on productivity and efficiency analysis, econometric methods, and their applications in agriculture, public policy, and environmental economics. Education: PhD (University of Sydney), MCom (University of New South Wales), BAgEc (Hons) (University of New England). Research interests include economic and statistical methods for measuring productivity changes, stochastic frontier analysis, and metafrontier frameworks. He has authored/co-authored three books and over 80 journal articles, with notable contributions in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics , Journal of Econometrics , and European Journal of Operational Research . Scientific awards include being a Distinguished Fellow of the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society. His work has been applied in sectors like healthcare, fisheries, and public utilities through collaborations with organizations such as the World Bank and Asian Productivity Organization. Key projects include measuring agricultural productivity in China, analyzing hospital efficiency, and evaluating climate impacts on farming. Grants include studies on productivity measurement in Australian universities and Northern Grains Region farms. Labs/Teams: Former Director of the Centre for Efficiency and Productivity Analysis, collaborating with global institutions on productivity benchmarking and policy analysis.
Dr. Alireza Nili is a Senior Lecturer in Service Science at QUT's School of Information Systems within the Faculty of Science. His expertise spans digitization of customer-centric services, AI/chatbots, IoT/IIoT, and sustainable technologies. He holds a PhD from Victoria University of Wellington and has coordinated large-scale courses like IT Systems Design (IFB103), achieving top teaching scores. Nili's research focuses on service ecosystems, trust in digital services, and public/retail sector innovations. He has secured over $1.4M in industry grants for projects involving Cisco, Amazon, and Services Australia. His awards include the 2023 Educator of the Year and multiple top conference paper recognitions. Nili supervises PhD students at Level 3 mentoring status and contributes to major conferences as track chair/associate editor. Research highlights include frameworks for chatbot governance, IOT in agriculture, and AI ethics. His work appears in IEEE Software , Communications of the ACM , and MIT Sloan Management Review . Current projects address consumer trust in AI technologies and spatial data systems. Nili's interdisciplinary approach combines design science with empirical methodologies to bridge theory and practice in digital service innovation.
Matthew Dunbabin is a Professor at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Chief Investigator at the Australian Centre for Robotic Vision (ACRV). His expertise spans environmental robotics, with a focus on vision-based autonomous systems for marine conservation, water quality monitoring, and greenhouse gas management. He holds a PhD from QUT and a BEng (Aerospace) from RMIT. Dunbabin has led projects at CSIRO and QUT, developing robots like COTSBot and RangerBot to combat marine pests and promote reef restoration. His work has earned national and international awards, including the 2019 Australian Water Association Award and 2016 Google Impact Challenge. Education: PhD in Engineering, Queensland University of Technology (Queensland, Australia) BEng (Hons) in Aerospace Engineering, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (Melbourne, Australia) Research Interests: Environmental robotics and autonomous systems Vision-based perception and classification Marine habitat restoration and pest control Greenhouse gas monitoring via autonomous vehicles Cooperative robotics and sensor networks Awards & Recognition: 2019 Australian Water Association Award (SAMMI Project) 2019 Good Design Award - Sustainability (RangerBot) 2016 Google Impact Challenge People’s Choice Award (RangerBot AUV) 2010 Australian ICT Industry Association National iAward (iSnet) 2006 Queensland Engineering Excellence Innovation Award (Starbug Project) Grants & Projects: ARC Centre of Excellence for Robotic Vision (ACRV): Leading robotic vision research (2014–present) Revolutionising Protection Against Air Pollution: Air quality monitoring networks (2015–present) Establishing Advanced Networks for Air Quality Sensing: Sensor development for urban environments (2017–present) Labs & Collaborations: ACRV at QUT Institute for Future Environments (QUT) CSIRO Autonomous Systems Laboratory (2001–2013)
Distinguished Professor Peter Ralph is a faculty member at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), holding the position of Professor of Marine Biology within the Faculty of Science and serving as the Executive Director of the Climate Change Cluster (C3). He is also the founder of the NSW Deep Green Biotech Hub and an influential member of global initiatives such as UNESCO’s Blue Carbon Scientific Working Group and the Czech Academy of Sciences’ Global Change Research Centre. Leadership Roles: Director of the Climate Change Cluster, Deputy-Chair of Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences. Research Collaborations: Partnerships with CSIRO, industry, NGOs, and international institutions. Key Contributions: Over 280 publications and $15M+ in research funding. His research focuses on algae-based solutions to climate change and sustainability, including carbon capture, bioplastic production, waste-water remediation, and circular bio-economy models. He explores advanced manufacturing through Industry 4.0 integration and zero-waste bio-refinery approaches, while also advancing algal phenomics using automated high-throughput screening systems. Recent articles highlight innovations in AI-driven biorefinery optimization, microalgal bioprospecting, and mutagenesis techniques for rare earth element extraction. His work bridges environmental science with engineering, addressing challenges in algae cultivation scalability and commercialization. Scientific Awards: 2012 and 2018 UTS Vice-Chancellor’s Research Excellence Awards. Peter has secured major grants, including the Fermentalg PhD Project on Microalgae Screening, PNG Natural Seafood’s Macroalgae Product Development, and the Winifred Trust Foundation’s Aquaculture initiative. His research teams collaborate across disciplines to transform algae into sustainable resources for food, energy, and biomanufacturing. He leads UTS’s Climate Change Cluster (C3), a hub for interdisciplinary climate research, and actively promotes algae-building technologies and carbon storage innovations through biomasonry products.
Richard DUNCAN is a Professor in Conservation Biology at the University of Canberra's Science School and Department of Centre for Conservation and Ecology Genetics. His research focuses on the ecology of invasive species, particularly understanding how introduced species arrive, establish, and spread in new environments. Key areas include invasive weeds and pests, ecological community structure, and applying quantitative methods to address both fundamental and applied ecological questions. Education: PhD in Forest Ecology, University of Canterbury (1989, award date noted as 2024 in text) Research Interests: His work spans invasive species ecology, population dynamics, and restoration strategies. He employs diverse methods including field experiments, modeling, and genomics, with recent focus on grasslands and aquatic systems. Current projects address amphibian chytrid fungus, carp invasions, and rodent control. Articles Trends: Recent publications emphasize invasive species impacts on ecosystems, pathogen-driven niche contractions, and conservation tools like geospatial modeling and genomic simulations. Themes include species distribution modeling, pest management, and restoration ecology. Awards & Grants: Lead investigator on 35+ projects, including ARC Plant Biosecurity Training Centre and chytrid fungus mitigation efforts Associate Editor for Proceedings of the Royal Society B and Diversity and Distributions Advising: Accepting PhD students in invasive species ecology, with focus on using biological invasions to explore ecological theory and management applications. Labs/Teams: Collaborates widely on conservation genetics, aquatic invasions, and biosecurity, including work with the Biological Heritage Science Challenge and Indigenous Grasslands Trust.
Dr. Cathy Oke OAM is an Associate Professor and Melbourne Enterprise Principal Fellow in Informed Cities at the Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne. She serves as Director of the Melbourne Centre for Cities and holds roles as a Senior Advisor to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. Her work bridges research, policy, and practice to advance nature and climate action in urban environments. Previously, she served as a Councillor for the City of Melbourne (2008–2020) and contributed to the Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub (CAUL) as a Knowledge Broker. Cathy holds a PhD in Genetics and over 20 years of experience in environmental communications and project management. Her research focuses on urban sustainability, climate resilience, and nature-based solutions. Key initiatives include Innovate4Cities, which drives city-led climate innovation, and projects on urban biodiversity restoration. Cathy’s work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of scientific evidence into actionable policies. Educations: PhD in Genetics RMIT University affiliation as a former research fellow Awards: 2023 Order of Australia Medal for service to Local Government and the Environment Her articles highlight themes such as urban climate governance, nature-based solutions, and global city networks. She collaborates with international bodies to enhance city diplomacy and accelerate climate action. Cathy leads the Melbourne Centre for Cities, a hub for urban research and policy engagement.
Laureate Professor Behdad Moghtaderi is a globally recognized chemical engineer at The University of Newcastle's School of Engineering. He leads research in clean energy technologies, including the GRANEX heat engine, greenhouse gas abatement, and chemical looping processes. His work addresses critical challenges in energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, and reducing fugitive methane emissions from coal mines. With over $48M in research funding and 220+ publications, he directs the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) and holds leadership roles in national and international energy initiatives. Education: PhD (University of Sydney), MEng (University of Sydney), BSc (Shiraz University) Administrative Roles: Director of NIER, former Head of School of Engineering, and member of global energy advisory bodies Research interests span energy systems, combustion science, and sustainable technologies. Notable innovations include the VAMCO system for methane abatement and solar thermal GRANEX installations. Awards include the Carrick Teaching Citation and multiple engineering excellence recognitions. Scientific contributions include 14 PhD completions and over 20 funded projects. Current focus areas include hydrogen safety, carbon capture, and thermochemical energy storage. His labs (NIER) collaborate with industry partners like Siemens Energy and the Australian Hydrogen Council.
