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Tom van Laer is an Associate Professor of Marketing and Deputy Head of Discipline, Research at The University of Sydney Business School. He is globally recognized as the leading expert in storytelling and narrative persuasion, currently occupying the top position on Elsevier's SciVal top 100 list for the most-cited researchers in this domain. His academic journey includes a BA and MA from Nijmegen and a PhD from Maastricht University. Dr. van Laer's research explores storytelling, persuasion, and messaging through an interdisciplinary approach that bridges behavioral experiments, quantitative modeling, and interpretive research. His work spans narrative transportation theory, consumer reviews analysis, digital storytelling, and the psychological mechanisms behind how stories influence consumer behavior. He has developed influential frameworks including the Extended Transportation-Imagery Model and narrative agency theory, with particular expertise in analyzing how stories shape responses to climate change communications and social conflict narratives. His publication record features articles in the most prestigious academic journals including the Journal of Consumer Research (where he serves as Area Editor), Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Management Information Systems, and International Journal of Research in Marketing. His recent work shows a strong trend toward meta-analyses of narrative effects, climate change communication, and the psychological mechanisms of 'bleed' between fictional experiences and real-world behavior. Dr. van Laer is an active media commentator whose research has garnered extensive global coverage across Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US, including national television and radio interviews. His media engagement focuses on storytelling in political campaigns, social media marketing, and the psychological impact of narratives in consumer contexts. He teaches MKTG3121 Advertising: Persuasive Principles and MKTG6006 Persuasive Advertising: Illuminating Dark Art, and has received recognition for both research and teaching excellence. His professional affiliations include the Association for Consumer Research, Australian Marketing Institute, Australian & New Zealand Marketing Academy, and International Society for the Study of Narrative. Dr. van Laer is a member of several university research centers including the Sydney Centre for Healthy Societies, Sydney Environment Institute, and Charles Perkins Centre, where he contributes his expertise in narrative persuasion to interdisciplinary research on societal challenges.

• Storytelling
• Narrative Persuasion
• Consumer Behavior
• +4 more

Sujatha Fernandes is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Sydney, joining in 2016. Previously, she held positions at Queens College and the City University of New York’s Graduate Center, and was a Wilson-Cotsen Fellow at Princeton University. She earned a PhD in Political Science from the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on social and labor movements, global Black cultures, migrant workers, and anti-Blackness in the Americas. She has authored six books, including The Cuban Hustle (2020) and Curated Stories (2017), and her work explores storytelling, climate justice, and marginalized communities. Dr. Fernandes has received grants such as the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Project (2021) and contributed to initiatives like the Racial Justice and the Curriculum Project at the University of Sydney. She has been featured in global media, including The New York Times , NPR , and Orion Magazine . Her writing spans academic articles, creative nonfiction, and op-eds addressing climate displacement, migrant rights, and cultural policy. Notable works include analyses of Venezuela’s urban movements, Cuba’s cultural politics, and domestic worker advocacy. She sits on the editorial board of Transition: The Magazine of Africa and the Diaspora . Her interdisciplinary approach bridges sociology, anthropology, and literature, with ongoing projects in climate fiction and interlinked short stories.

• Social and Labour Movements
• Participatory Media and Art
• Global Black Cultures
• +6 more

Professor Jochen J. Brocks is a faculty member at the Research School of Earth Sciences (RSES) at the Australian National University (ANU). He holds a PhD in Organic Geochemistry from the University of Sydney (2002) and a Diplom Chemie (~MSc Chemistry) from the University of Freiburg, Germany. His research focuses on Paleobiogeochemistry, using molecular fossils (biomarkers) to study ancient ecosystems and evolutionary processes, including the origin of life and the emergence of complex organisms. He is particularly interested in the conditions that led to the appearance of multicellular life and the role of primary producers in mass extinctions, as well as the potential existence of a 'lost world' of complex life in Earth's early oceans. He previously served as a Junior Fellow of the Harvard Society of Fellows (2001–2004). His research group, Brocks Geobiology, explores topics such as the molecular signatures of early organisms, the geochemical record of ancient oceans, and the preservation mechanisms of organic matter in sedimentary deposits. Brocks collaborates on projects like the biogeochemistry of salt lakes and the analysis of Precambrian rocks to trace microbial diversity. Education: PhD (Organic Geochemistry, University of Sydney, 2002), MSc (Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Germany). His research interests span the intersection of organic geochemistry and paleontology, with a focus on applying biomarker analysis to understand Earth's history. Recent work includes studies on the environmental aftermath of Snowball Earth glaciations, the origins of Dickinsonia as an early animal, and the preservation of ancient biomolecules in extreme conditions like evaporites and concretions. Brocks has contributed to significant debates in the field, such as reinterpreting steroid biomarkers to challenge early animal evolution timelines and identifying novel preservation mechanisms for plant fossils. His work often integrates experimental geochemistry with field studies, particularly in northern Australia and Mauritania, to explore the co-evolution of life and Earth's systems. Awards: Junior Fellow of the Harvard Society of Fellows (2001–2004). He supervises multiple research projects, including those investigating the Velkerri Formation and the McArthur River deposit. Brocks also collaborates on initiatives like the Sedimentary Geochemistry and Paleoenvironments Project, which synthesizes global data to inform Earth history. His lab work emphasizes the development of analytical techniques to distinguish syngenetic biomarkers from contaminants in ancient samples.

• Paleobiogeochemistry
• Geochemistry
• Geobiology
• +7 more

Darren Jorgensen is a Lecturer at the UWA Design School , University of Western Australia, specializing in twentieth century and contemporary art. His research bridges Australian art, Aboriginal art, Chinese art, and experimental music, with a focus on critical theory and poststructuralism. PhD in Science Fiction and the Sublime Co-founder of Guan Kan journal on contemporary Chinese art Contributor to Dispatch Review and Artlink His research projects examine illustrated literature from remote Aboriginal communities and art from Australian pastoral stations. He has collaborated on ARC-funded initiatives exploring Indigenous art conditions and digital transformations of Australian art databases. Recent writings analyze post-industrial music, science fiction aesthetics, and cross-cultural art practices. Recent Research Trends : Darren's 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) span exhibition reviews, book critiques, and cultural analyses. Key themes include: Transnational Australian-Chinese art dialogues Aboriginal art's relationship to land, heritage, and decolonization Industrial/post-industrial music influences in visual art Critical theory applications to contemporary art practices Illustrated literature as cultural document Scientific Awards : Best Small Exhibition Catalogue (2019) for collaborative curatorial work Teaching & Supervision : Supervises postgraduate and honours students across diverse topics including Aleister Crowley's esoteric art, whale acoustics, and continental philosophy's impact on aesthetics. His teaching philosophy integrates Kant, Isabelle Stengers, and poststructuralist theory. Research Collaborations : Collaborates with institutions across Australia and internationally, particularly through projects like the Beijing Realism exhibition and remote Aboriginal art studies. Maintains active research networks in art history, critical theory, and experimental practices.

• Art History
• Contemporary Art
• Australian Art
• +9 more

Dr Bernd Ploderer is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), where he conducts research in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), focusing on health, wellbeing, and human-centred computing. He leads the Digital Wellbeing Lab and is actively involved in multiple Australian Competitive Grant-funded projects, including those on generative AI for self-care, tangible intergenerational interaction, and children's active play. Education: PhD in Human-Computer Interaction (University of Melbourne, 2011), MA in Communications (University of Salzburg, 2007), BSc (Hons) in Information Systems (FH Joanneum Graz, 2003) Previous Positions: Research Fellow and Lecturer at the University of Melbourne (2011–2015) Professional Recognition: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (QUT, 2017) Dr Ploderer’s research centers on designing interactive technologies that support personal and social wellbeing, with a strong emphasis on user-centered and co-design methods. His work spans domains such as digital self-care , mobile health , generative AI , tangible and embodied interaction , and intergenerational and child play . He has developed innovative educational methods in HCI, notably the ‘working field theories for design’ approach, which received an Honorable Mention at CHI 2021. His recent publications (2023–2025) reflect a growing interest in AI-mediated self-care, nature-connected technologies, and inclusive design for diverse populations including teens, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. These works appear in top-tier venues such as CHI , DIS , and Personal and Ubiquitous Computing . Dr Ploderer has received several awards, including: QUT Vice Chancellor's Performance Award (2016) PCHF Innovation Grant (2018) Metro North Hospital and Health Service Link Grant (2017) Honorable Mention at CHI 2021 Associate Chair for Health Subcommittee at CHI 2022 He is actively involved in research supervision, currently mentoring PhD and Honours students on topics such as conversational agents for music education, mental wellbeing for international students, and relational technologies for dementia care. He has supervised numerous completed PhD and Masters theses, often in collaboration with Professor Margot Brereton and other QUT researchers. Dr Ploderer also contributes to research ethics and integrity within his school and serves on committees for CHI and CHISIG. His lab, the Digital Wellbeing Lab, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration focused on creating technology that enhances social, mental, and physical wellbeing.

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Digital Wellbeing
• Health and Wellbeing Technologies
• +12 more

Dr. Rahul K Gairola is The Krishna Somers Senior Lecturer in English and Postcolonial Literature at Murdoch University's School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, affiliated with the College of Law, Arts and Social Sciences. He is also a Principal Fellow at the Indo-Pacific Research Centre (IPRC). His academic journey includes a joint doctorate in English and Comparative Literature, Cinema, & Media Studies from the University of Washington, Seattle, alongside additional qualifications from Cornell University, the University of Cambridge, Rhode Island College, and George Mason University. He holds Digital Humanities certificates from leading institutions like DHOxSS (Oxford) and DHSI (Victoria). Dr. Gairola's research focuses on postcolonial and queer studies, digital humanities, and South Asian cultural narratives. His work spans topics like diaspora identity, gender, and pandemic culture. He has received awards including the Münster Fellowship (2024) and the Migration-Diaspora-Citizenship Grant (2023). His scholarly contributions include editing the Routledge/ASAA South Asian Book Series and serving on editorial boards like Oxford Bibliographies in Literary and Critical Theory. His teaching and research integrate digital technologies with postcolonial critique, emphasizing anti-colonial pedagogy and queer spatial practices. Notable works include Liminal Diasporas: Contemporary Movements of Humanity and the Environment (2024) and Race, Otherness, and the Digital Humanities (2022). He actively engages with global academic networks, presenting at institutions like King’s College London and UC Berkeley.

• Postcolonial studies
• Cultural studies
• Asian cultural studies
• +4 more

Max Schleser is Associate Professor in Film and Television at Swinburne University of Technology, where he also conducts research with the Centre for Transformative Media Technologies (CTMT). He is an Adobe Creative Educator Innovator, Founder of the Mobile Innovation Network & Association (MINA), and Screening Director of the International Mobile Innovation Screening & Festival. His work spans academic, artistic, and community domains, with a focus on innovative screen practices. Max holds a PhD in Creative Arts from the University of Westminster, an MA in Art and Media Practice with Distinction, and a BA Hons. His research centers on immersive media, documentary film, and creative arts 4.0, particularly cinematic VR and interactive filmmaking. He investigates screen production, emerging media, and smartphone filmmaking as tools for community engagement, creative transformation, and transmedia storytelling. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward integrating Generative AI into documentary and city film genres, exploring the 'AI eye' and computational non-fiction. He also investigates novel immersive production methods in VR, HyFlex pedagogies in film education, and collaborative mobile storytelling through workshops. His work consistently bridges creative practice with theoretical inquiry. Best Cinematography, International Cell Phone Cinema - Cannes (2025) Best Mobile Film, Nitiin International Film Festival (2024) Dean's Award for Teaching and Research, Swinburne University (2023) International Visiting Research Scholar, Auckland University of Technology (2024) Early Career Award - Research, Massey University (2012) Max leads multiple research grants focused on health storytelling, intergenerational connection, AI in screen industries, and sustainability education. He supervises creative projects and has conducted digital storytelling workshops for cultural institutes and government bodies worldwide. As founder of MINA and director of major festivals, he leads international networks in mobile media innovation. He also serves on the editorial board of the Media Practice and Education journal and has co-edited several key volumes on mobile media and storytelling.

• Immersive Media
• Cinematic VR
• Interactive Filmmaking
• +12 more

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.

• African Literatures
• Postcolonial Studies
• Indian Ocean Cultural Studies
• +4 more

Dr. Kathleen Williams is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Head of Research at the School of Creative Arts and Media, University of Tasmania. She holds a PhD from UNSW (2014) and a BA (Media and Communications Hons) from the University of Sydney (2008). Her research focuses on media technologies, environmental impacts of media, and creative industries, with projects examining media materiality, crisis communication, and post-pandemic sector recovery. Administrative roles include Director of Creative Curriculum (2019–2022), Head of Media Program, and Postgraduate Coursework Coordinator. She co-led the ABC-UTAS Media Literacy Project (2018) and contributed to Tasmania’s Cultural and Creative Industries Recovery Strategy. Current projects explore media history’s 'silences,' environmental legacies of media tech, and crisis-driven industry transformations. Teaching spans Media Futures, Digital Culture, and interdisciplinary creative practice. Supervised over 10 doctoral candidates across media, marine science, and social sciences. Active in media commentary via ABC Radio and industry collaborations with the Institute of Social Change and Department of State Growth.

• Media Technologies
• Environmental Impact of Media
• Digital Media
• +3 more

Dr. James Oliver is an Associate Professor in the School of Design at RMIT University, Australia. His research focuses on visual arts, design theory, and decolonial practices, with a strong emphasis on Indigenous knowledge systems, cultural co-design, and ethical relational frameworks. He supervises research in areas such as Indigenous game design, algorithmic futures, and reconciliation practices. His work bridges artistic creativity with sociocultural critique, addressing contemporary challenges through transdisciplinary approaches. Research interests include speculative design methodologies, multispecies storytelling, and the intersection of technology with cultural identity. Oliver’s projects often involve collaborative engagements with First Nations communities, emphasizing ethical frameworks and ontological pluralism. He has contributed to global dialogues on urban futures, decolonial research practices, and the role of design in fostering social resilience. His publications span journals and edited volumes, exploring topics from Gàidhealtachd futures to post-anthropocentric urban planning. Oliver is open to supervising PhD and Masters students in topics such as illustrated humor performance, co-design practices with autonomous traditions, and reconciliation through creative methodologies. His work is informed by extensive field research and ethical commitments to marginalized voices.

• Visual Arts and Crafts
• Design Theory
• Indigenous Design Practices
• +3 more

Michelle Smith is an Associate Professor in the School of Communication and Creative Arts at Monash University, where she specializes in literary studies with a focus on children's and young adult literature, Victorian literature, and gender representation. She is actively engaged in research, supervision, and public scholarship. Her research interests include: Femininity in Victorian print culture British and Australian children's literature Transnational girlhood and colonial literature Ecocriticism in children's fantasy Affect and emotion in youth literature Fairy tales and Gothic fiction Michelle Smith’s recent publications span monographs, edited collections, and journal articles, reflecting a strong interdisciplinary engagement with literary history, cultural studies, and gender theory. Her work often explores how literature shapes and reflects identity, emotion, and societal values across historical and national contexts. She is particularly known for her contributions to the understanding of girlhood in imperial and settler colonial contexts. Her scientific awards include: ARC Postdoctoral Fellowship (2011) European Society for the Study of English Book Award (2012) ACU Historical Children’s Book Collections Fellowship (2019) Michelle Smith actively supervises Honours, Master’s, and PhD students in areas such as children’s/YA literature, fairy tales, Victorian culture, gender studies, and ecocriticism. She has also led research projects including Australian Children’s and Young Adult Literature, 1841 to the Present and Gender Imbalance in the Book Industry . She contributes regularly to public discourse through media outlets such as The Guardian , The Washington Post , and The Conversation . She is involved in scholarly communities through editorial roles, including serving on the editorial board of Palgrave Macmillan and as guest editor for Marvels & Tales . She has also participated in professional events such as the Australian and New Zealand Rare Book School and peer-reviewed journals like Children's Literature and Papers: Explorations into Children's Literature .

• Children's Literature
• Young Adult Literature
• Victorian Literature
• +12 more

Professor Juan Francisco Salazar Sutil is an active academic specializing in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of anthropology, environmental studies, and futurism. His work explores polar geopolitics, indigenous media cultures, and the ethics of outer space exploration. He has contributed to over 95 publications and 13 research projects since 2002. Salazar Sutil is a member of prominent organizations including the American Anthropological Association and the European Association of Social Anthropologists. His research frequently engages with global environmental governance, Antarctic policy, and decolonial approaches to science and technology. Key Research Themes: Climate change, planetary health, Antarctic futures, media activism, and temporal politics. Notable Projects: Antarctic Cities initiative, studies on soil politics, and participatory game design for policy engagement. Salazar Sutil's publications span documentary film analysis, policy frameworks for outer space, and ethnographic studies of marginalized communities' environmental resilience. His work emphasizes transdisciplinary collaboration and the role of imagination in shaping sustainable futures.

• Social Anthropology
• Environmental Studies
• Polar Geopolitics
• +4 more

Associate Professor Amelia Barikin is an art historian specializing in contemporary art and time studies, affiliated with the University of Queensland's School of Communication and Arts. She holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne and has held roles at the University of Melbourne as an ARC Senior Research Associate. Her research bridges philosophy, critical theory, and art history, focusing on intersections between art, time, and science fiction. Barikin is part of the KINK research collective documenting queer Australian art and serves as Adjunct Curator at the Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (Art History), University of Melbourne Bachelor of Arts (Honours), University of Melbourne Research Interests: Her work explores contemporary art's engagement with time, queer art histories, science fiction aesthetics, and Australian art. Notable publications include Parallel Presents: The Art of Pierre Huyghe (2012) and Robert Smithson: Time Crystals (2018). She has curated major exhibitions including works by Robert Smithson and Pierre Huyghe. Awards: AAANZ Best Book Prize 2013 for Parallel Presents 2013 Art Gallery of NSW Fellowship at Cité internationale des arts, Paris Supervision: Available to supervise MPhil/PhD projects in contemporary art, queer theory, science fiction, and Australian art. Current projects include studies on queer aesthetics and decolonizing curatorial practices. Labs/Teams: Leads the KINK research collective, digitizing queer Australian art history at queeraustralianart.com , and collaborates with institutions like the Institute of Modern Art and National Gallery of Australia.

• Contemporary Art
• Art History
• Time Studies
• +4 more

Erika Techera is a Professor at the UWA Law School, University of Western Australia. She previously served as Interim Pro Vice Chancellor (International), Director of the UWA Oceans Institute, and Dean of the Faculty of Law. Her research focuses on environmental law, marine governance, climate change, and maritime heritage, with a regional emphasis on the Indo-Pacific. She holds board positions at organizations like the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Heritage Council of Western Australia. Education: PhD (Macquarie University, 2009), LLM (Macquarie, 2007), LLB (Hons) (University of Technology Sydney, 1993). She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law and a certified company director. Research Interests: Marine environmental law and policy Climate change and fisheries law Cultural heritage protection (maritime and space) Blue economy governance Shark conservation and megafauna management Articles Trends: Recent work emphasizes international legal frameworks for kelp forests, SDG implementation, and space law. Her publications address gaps in marine governance, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Scientific Awards: 2024 Excellence in Research Supervision Award 2016 Academic of the Year 2014 Fellow, Australian Academy of Law Grants & Projects: Includes compliance in heritage legislation, kelp forest legal analysis, and space debris mitigation. She has led initiatives on shark conservation and fisheries governance in the Indian Ocean. Labs/Teams: Active in the UWA Oceans Institute and International Space Centre, focusing on interdisciplinary marine and space law research.

• Environmental Law
• Marine Governance
• Climate Change Law
• +7 more

Dr. Hannah Stark is an Associate Professor and Head of English and Writing at the University of Tasmania's School of Humanities. Her work bridges literary studies, philosophy, and environmental humanities, focusing on themes like extinction, queer theory, and love's political dimensions. She leads the ARC-funded 'Beyond Extinction' project reconstructing the Thylacine archive. A 2018 Vice-Chancellor’s Award winner, she also coordinates researcher development programs. Education: PhD in Deleuze's Differential Ontology and the Problem of Ethics (University of Adelaide, 2011) BA (Hons) English (University of Adelaide, 2005) Research Interests: Feminist and queer theory applied to climate change and extinction Philosophies of love and posthuman kinship Nonhuman turn and critical plant studies Anthropocene cultural narratives and public sentiment Her Extinction and Memorial Culture (2023) and Feminist Theory After Deleuze (2016) exemplify her interdisciplinary approach. Key Projects: ARC-funded 'Beyond Extinction' (2020–2025) 'How to Do Politics with Love' (with Timothy Laurie) Awards & Recognition: 2018 Vice-Chancellor’s Exceptional Researcher Development Award ERS Theme Small Grants Award Supervision & Grants: Guided 9+ doctoral students on topics like posthumanism and climate fiction Secured $213k ARC funding for Thylacine research Coordinated Go8 Future Research Leaders Program (2019) Labs/Teams: Collaborates with global institutions like the University of Edinburgh on projects linking love ethics to environmental stewardship.

• Feminist Theory
• Queer Theory
• Extinction Studies
• +6 more