Find Academic Supervisors

Bunty Avieson is a Senior Lecturer in Journalism and Media at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. She holds a PhD and MPhil from Macquarie University, specializing in media theory and literary analysis. Her research focuses on Bhutanese media development, Wikipedia's societal impact, and the intersection of journalism with literary practices. PhD Thesis: Media development in Bhutan during its democratic transition MPhil: 'The Poetics of Paranoia' exploring self-construction through Derrida and Nagarjuna Research Interests: Her work spans media policy in Bhutan, Wikipedia's role in knowledge equity, and the ethics of memoir writing. She has published extensively on Bhutan's media evolution and co-edited volumes on memory mediation and trauma narratives. Articles Trends: Recent work examines lifestyle journalism identity, Wikipedia's pandemic-era contributions, and Bhutan's unique digital media strategies. Earlier research explored Bhutan's transition from oral traditions to social media under Gross National Happiness principles. Awards: Vice-Chancellor's PhD Commendation (2013), Ned Kelly Awards for crime fiction (2001-2003) Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator in the Bhutan-Wiki Project (DECRA-funded), co-developed the Australian Colonial Narrative Journalism Database. Received grants for Tamil diaspora storytelling and Bhutan media studies. Professional Roles: Wikimedia Australia Vice President, member of journalism education associations, and former editor of Woman's Day.

• Media Studies
• Journalism
• Wikipedia Studies
• +3 more

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 .

• Accounting as a social practice
• Sustainability accounting
• Ecological impact and accounting
• +3 more

Dr. Hojjat Soofi is a Lecturer in Bioethics at Sydney Health Ethics within the University of Sydney's School of Public Health (Faculty of Medicine and Health). A pharmacist by training, he holds a PhD and MRes in Bioethics from Macquarie University and an Erasmus Mundus Master of Bioethics from a consortium of European universities. His research deploys philosophical ethics and empirical methods to address ethical challenges in dementia care and aged care settings. Research Focus: Soofi's work centers on ethical frameworks for vulnerable populations, specializing in: Dignity preservation in dementia care Autonomy and consent mechanisms Vulnerability in long-term care settings Non-clinical medication ethics Research ethics for cognitively impaired individuals His scholarship critically engages with concepts from philosophers like Nussbaum, Kitwood, and Beauchamp & Childress. Awards & Grants: Recognized with the 2022 Ramy Razavian Dean’s Award for research excellence and supported by a 2023 FMH Start-up Scheme grant for early career researchers. Teaching: Coordinates core bioethics units including Clinical Ethics (BETH5204) and Medicines Policy, Economics and Ethics (BETH5209). Student feedback highlights his exceptional course organization and ability to stimulate critical reasoning. Professional Engagement: Active member of the Australasian Association of Bioethics and Health Law (AABHL) and the Sydney Bioethics Program team.

• Ethics in dementia care/research
• Ethics in long-term aged care settings
• Autonomy and informed consent
• +6 more

Dr Borge Bakken is a Researcher affiliated with the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences at The Australian National University. His work focuses on Chinese governance, criminology, and socio-legal systems with particular emphasis on corruption dynamics, criminal justice reforms, and socio-political structures in modern China. He has conducted extensive research on topics including wrongful convictions, rural criminal networks, and institutional corruption mechanisms. Research Interests: Dr Bakken's expertise spans Chinese legal frameworks, socio-political governance, and criminological studies. His work critically examines how social norms intersect with punitive measures in contemporary China, particularly in areas like anti-corruption policies and judicial transparency. Recent studies include analyses of 'criminal villages' and evolving corruption forms within state-owned enterprises. Publications: His 2021 article on corruption in China explores land management and state asset misappropriation. Earlier works address wrongful convictions and the socio-legal challenges in rural crime networks. His research demonstrates a focus on institutional accountability and systemic governance issues. Labs/Teams: Not explicitly mentioned, but his collaborative work with co-author Wang, J. (2021) suggests interdisciplinary engagements within ANU's China studies networks.

• Chinese Governance
• Criminology
• Political Science
• +3 more

Dr. Edward Wei is a Research Fellow at the University of Sydney Business School's Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (ITLS), where he has been since 2018. His work focuses on transport modeling, urban mobility, and policy analysis, with an emphasis on post-pandemic commuting patterns and sustainable transport initiatives. He holds a PhD from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), an MBus from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), and a BEc from UIBE in China. Dr. Wei's research explores the intersection of work arrangements (e.g., hybrid work, flexi-time) and their impacts on transportation demand, urban planning, and environmental sustainability. His recent projects include developing state-wide transport models, analyzing micro-mobility adoption, and assessing the role of non-traditional mobility service providers in MaaS frameworks. Key areas of expertise include discrete choice modeling, transport demand forecasting, and policy evaluation. His publications span over 30 peer-reviewed articles, with recent contributions emphasizing post-pandemic commuting behavior, zero-emission truck transitions, and sustainable university travel strategies. His academic contributions bridge theoretical transport economics with practical policy applications, addressing challenges such as car tolling regimes, public transport patronage optimization, and the integration of remote work patterns into urban planning frameworks.

• Transport Planning
• Urban Mobility
• Sustainable Transportation
• +5 more

Professor Jack Barbalet is a distinguished academic at the Australian Catholic University (ACU), affiliated with the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences at the Melbourne campus. His research centers on sociological theory, political and economic sociology, the sociology of emotions, and the sociology of modern China, with a focus on social solidarity, interaction, and institutionalization. His educational background includes an undergraduate degree from Flinders University and a PhD from Adelaide University. He has held academic positions at the University of Papua New Guinea, Australian National University, University of Leicester, and Hong Kong Baptist University before joining ACU. His research emphasizes conceptual refinement and theoretical development, particularly in interpreting Max Weber and analyzing Chinese society through the lens of guanxi, trust, and rural social structures. His recent publications reflect a sustained engagement with foundational sociological texts and their contemporary relevance. The body of his recent work demonstrates strong thematic continuity in examining classical sociological theory, especially Weberian thought, while extending it into non-Western contexts, particularly China. Topics include political violence, cultural imperialism, emotional dynamics in social exchange, and institutional transformation. Member, Editorial Board, Sociology (from 2022) Member, Editorial Board, Sociological Theory (from 2021) Member, Editorial Board, Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour (from 2020) Member, Advisory Board, Emotions and Society (from 2019) As a Full HDR Supervisor, Professor Barbalet mentors higher degree research students, though no specific students are listed in the provided text. While no grants are explicitly mentioned, his sustained publication record and editorial roles indicate active research funding and academic leadership. His work continues to influence theoretical and comparative sociology globally. Professor Barbalet is actively involved in academic service through editorial and advisory roles across major sociology journals, reflecting his leadership in sociological theory and the sociology of emotions. He contributes to shaping scholarly discourse in core areas of the discipline.

• Sociological Theory
• Political Sociology
• Economic Sociology
• +12 more

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.

• Social and Ecological Justice
• Climate Change
• Global Inequality
• +8 more

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

• Urban Planning
• Critical Urban Governance
• Indigenous Rights in Urban Planning
• +7 more

Dr. Sophie Adams serves as an ARC DECRA Fellow in the Department of Sociology at La Trobe University, where she conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of human geography and Science and Technology Studies. Her work critically examines the social dimensions of climate change mitigation and adaptation, with particular emphasis on renewable energy transitions and the societal implications of technological solutions to environmental crises. Adams' research program centers on the politics of environmental knowledge , investigating how climate science informs policy formation and the negotiation of social objectives in decarbonisation processes. She employs qualitative and participatory methodologies to analyze climate change adaptation in energy systems , social license for technological interventions , and the redistribution of expertise in public health and environmental governance. Her scholarship consistently addresses power dynamics in knowledge production and the democratic challenges of sustainability transitions. Analysis of her publication trajectory (2019-2025) reveals increasing focus on energy-social interfaces, with significant contributions to understanding virtual power plants, demand-side management, and the role of modeling in climate policy. Her work demonstrates methodological innovation through participatory approaches while maintaining critical engagement with resilience thinking and adaptation frameworks. Scientific recognition includes: Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (ARC DECRA) Supported by her DECRA fellowship, Adams leads independent research projects examining the societal dimensions of energy transitions. Her collaborative work spans geography, public health, and energy engineering, as evidenced by interdisciplinary co-authorship patterns. Current projects investigate Australian householders' conditions for participating in virtual power plants and the social implications of climate modeling in adaptation planning, reflecting her commitment to socially relevant environmental research.

• Human Geography
• Science and Technology Studies
• Climate Change Adaptation
• +4 more

Lisa Magnani is a Professor in the Department of Economics at Macquarie University, with active research in labor economics, finance, and development studies. She is affiliated with both the Innovation, Strategy and Entrepreneurship Research Centre and the Health at Work Research Centre at Macquarie University. Professor Magnani's research focuses on critical areas including labor markets, financial systems, and their intersection with social issues. Her work examines: Unionization and workers' rights across different economic contexts The relationship between finance and labor in capitalist societies Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and their financing challenges Worker mobility and technological diffusion HIV/AIDS and economic deprivation in Southeast Asia Social finance and inequality Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on the interplay between financial systems and labor dynamics, with increasing attention to social issues like HIV/AIDS and women's agency. Magnani's work spans both developed and developing economies, with particular emphasis on post-socialist contexts and Southeast Asia. Professor Magnani has been actively involved in research projects including: "The Impact of Capital Account on Small and Medium Enterprises" (ongoing) "Understanding deprivation and HIV/AIDS in Southeast Asia: A new multidimensional model for research and economic planning" (2018-2022) "Small firms' finances: effects on employment, wages and growth" (2016-2021) She regularly presents her research at international conferences and has organized academic events such as "Sino-Australia Economies Towards a New Globalization: A Mutual Learning Curve" in 2018.

• Labor Economics
• Finance
• Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
• +5 more

Professor Crystal Abidin is a prominent digital anthropologist and ethnographer specializing in influencer cultures, social media pop cultures, and internet fame dynamics. She holds a Professorship at Curtin University's School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry, alongside roles as Director of the Influencer Ethnography Research Lab and Deputy Director of the Korea Research Centre. Her research spans 100+ publications, 12 special issues, and 6 authored/edited books, with a focus on Asia Pacific contexts. Key roles include: ARC DECRA Fellow (2019-2024) Editor-in-Chief of Media International Australia Founder of TikTok Cultures Research Network Associate Investigator at the Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child Her research interests emphasize: Influencer labor and platform governance Cross-cultural digital practices Activism and identity expression online Children's media engagement Notable awards include WA Young Tall Poppy Science Award (2022), Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2018), and Pacific Standard's Top Thinkers Under 30 (2016). Her work frequently addresses: Ethical concerns in influencer marketing Platform-specific content creation Racial and gender dynamics in social media Global-local interplay in digital cultures Current initiatives include advancing TikTok cultures research and co-editing interdisciplinary volumes on influencer marketing and digital child safety.

• Digital Anthropology
• Social Media Studies
• Influencer Cultures
• +5 more

Dr. Pranita Shrestha is a Researcher at the University of Sydney's School of Architecture, Design and Planning. Her work focuses on urban planning, housing policy, and informal settlements, with particular attention to platform-mediated housing markets and their socio-economic impacts. Her research spans topics such as cultural heritage management, rural community resilience, and policy responses to urban housing challenges. Shrestha has contributed to significant studies including analyses of Airbnb's impact on housing markets, post-disaster rehabilitation in Kathmandu Valley's World Heritage Sites, and the role of digital platforms in enabling informal housing practices. Her work often intersects with issues of equity, policy effectiveness, and spatial justice. Key projects include the AHURI-funded study on short-term rental accommodations and collaborative research on social housing marketization in New South Wales. Her research outputs include peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and policy reports addressing global urban challenges. Shrestha's expertise is reflected in her interdisciplinary approach, combining policy analysis with field studies in diverse contexts such as Kathmandu, Sydney, and Turkey's Behramkale region. She actively engages with both academic and policy communities to advance evidence-based solutions for urban sustainability and affordability.

• Urban Planning
• Housing Policy
• Cultural Heritage Management
• +3 more

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.

• Sociology of Education
• Critical Pedagogies
• Culturally Responsive Schooling
• +5 more

Braam Lowies is a Senior Lecturer in Property at UniSA Business, University of South Australia, based at the City West Campus. He is an active researcher and Research Degree Supervisor, focusing on the intersection of financial behaviour, mental health, and ageing in Australia. His work spans multiple disciplines including housing, public policy, gerontology, and behavioural economics. Institution: University of South Australia School: UniSA Business Department: Property Position: Senior Lecturer Email: Braam.Lowies@unisa.edu.au Dr. Lowies' research primarily explores the financial and psychological wellbeing of older Australians, particularly in the context of retirement, housing equity, and crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. His studies examine how savings, debt, hope, and mental health influence financial decisions, and how the home environment affects health outcomes across different age groups in later life. He frequently employs large-scale datasets like HILDA and applies both qualitative and quantitative methods. His recent publications highlight trends in ageing-in-place, equity release, digital banking challenges, and the socio-ecological determinants of financial stress. These works appear in high-impact journals such as Stress and Health , PLoS One , and Ageing & Society , as well as in book chapters with Edward Elgar Publishing. His research has relevance for policy development in housing, retirement planning, and mental health support systems. Dr. Lowies collaborates extensively with researchers such as Kurt Lushington, Rajabrata Banerjee, and Vandana Arya. His work has been cited in academic databases and picked up by media outlets, indicating its societal impact. Understanding the effect of financial behaviour on mental health: evidence From Australia (2025) Ageing-in-place (2024) The home environment: influences on the health of young-old and old-old adults in Australia (2024) The effect of psychological factors on financial behaviour among older Australians (2023) COVID‐19: financial well‐being of older Australians in times of crisis (2022) Dr. Lowies has no listed scientific awards in the provided materials. He is actively involved in supervising research degrees but specific student names are not mentioned. There is no information about grants, laboratories, or research teams he leads, though his collaborative work suggests strong interdisciplinary engagement.

• Financial Behaviour
• Mental Health
• Ageing
• +7 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