Nigel Phair is a Professor in the Department of Software Systems & Cybersecurity at Monash University, specializing in cybersecurity, cybercrime analysis, and digital forensics. His research focuses on global cybersecurity trends, corporate cybersecurity practices, and the intersections of law enforcement with digital platforms. Phair’s work frequently addresses critical issues such as cybercrime indices, boardroom cybersecurity competency, and the societal impact of digital technologies. He has contributed to national cybersecurity strategy discussions in Australia and explored challenges in law enforcement’s adaptation to digital crime landscapes. His publications highlight innovative methods like Automated Social Media Intelligence Analysis (ASMIA) for detecting illicit activities online and emphasize the disconnect between corporate cybersecurity claims and actual practices. He has also analyzed encryption’s role in balancing national security and privacy rights. While no awards or grants are explicitly listed, his extensive output reflects a commitment to advancing cybersecurity policy, education, and technical solutions. His research extends to global cybersecurity comparisons, digital financial service vulnerabilities, and the evolving threat landscapes in cyberspace.
Heather Horst is Professor of Design Anthropology at the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning , University of Sydney. She holds additional affiliations as an Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Digital Anthropology, University College London, and as Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University. PhD (University of London), MA (California), BA (Minnesota) Her research explores material culture , mobility studies , and the mediation of social relations through technology, homes, and clothing. Current projects include the ARC Discovery Project Fashioning Fiji (2020-2025) and a $2.9M ACIAR initiative on mobile financial services in Laos and Cambodia (2022-2026). In recognition of her contributions, Heather was elected Fellow of the Academy of the Humanities, Australia (2023) . She has supervised 11 PhD students to completion and co-developed the HOMAGO framework for informal learning environments, now widely adopted in afterschool programs globally.
Ross Brown is an Associate Professor at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in the School of Computer Science, specializing in virtual and augmented reality technologies. His academic journey includes a PhD from QUT and extensive contributions to immersive technology research and education. Position: Associate Professor Institution: Queensland University of Technology School: School of Computer Science Education: PhD (Queensland University of Technology) Professor Brown's research focuses on Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Data Visualisation, Process Visualisation, Information Visualisation, Computer Graphics, and Games Technology within the broader field of Artificial Intelligence and Information and Computing Sciences. His work spans applications in healthcare, education, environmental monitoring, urban planning, and industrial training, demonstrating the versatility of immersive technologies across multiple domains. His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on practical applications of immersive technologies, with research spanning healthcare rehabilitation, geological education, urban engagement, surgical applications, and environmental monitoring. The interdisciplinary nature of his work is evident in collaborations with researchers from diverse fields including medicine, environmental science, urban planning, and education. Augmented Reality applications in surgery and rehabilitation Virtual Reality systems for geological education and training Immersive environments for industrial process training VR/AR applications for environmental monitoring Location-based VR for esports and social interaction Professor Brown has received significant recognition for his expertise, including multiple keynote invitations to international conferences such as BPM2017 in Lisbon, Assurance webinars on trusted autonomous systems, and Engage2 conferences. He has served as an International Researcher of Note for ARC funding assessments and has been a regular speaker at Microsoft Tech Ed since 2006. His academic service includes reviewing for major conferences including MSRA Gaming & Graphics, Graphite, AVI, and BPM, as well as serving as a reviewer for journals such as Future Generation Computer Systems and Knowledge and Information Systems. Professor Brown has supervised numerous doctoral and master's students, with completed projects focusing on visual immersion, collaborative business process modeling, and 3D virtual environment validation.
Alison McAdam is a Lecturer in Communication at Deakin University, specializing in local journalism sustainability with a focus on rural and regional Australian communities . With 11 years of teaching experience and 22 years in regional newsrooms, she combines academic practice with industry expertise. Her research explores the civic value of country newspapers and their role in socio-economically disadvantaged areas.
Dr. Erica Kuligowski is an ARC Future Fellow and Principal Research Fellow in the School of Engineering at RMIT University, where she studies evacuation and emergency communications in fire, flood, and other hazards. She holds a Vice-Chancellor's Senior Research Fellow position and previously served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park from 2011-2014. Dr. Kuligowski earned her PhD in Sociology along with MS and BS degrees in Fire Engineering, creating a unique interdisciplinary foundation for her work. Her educational background bridges social science and engineering disciplines, enabling her to approach disaster response from multiple perspectives. Her research focuses on applying social science theory and methods to disaster-related engineering problems, with particular emphasis on evacuation behavior during disasters including bushfire, flood, tsunami, and building fires. She specializes in people movement and behavioral data collection and analysis from emergencies, emergency communication systems, evacuation simulation modeling at both building and community scales, and community resilience and disaster recovery. Her work integrates traditional data collection methods with innovative approaches like social media analysis, GPS-based mobile phone signals, and virtual reality experiments. This interdisciplinary approach spans environmental sociology, fire safety engineering, modeling and simulation, community planning, and environmental communication. Dr. Kuligowski's scholarly output demonstrates consistent growth in both fire safety and emergency management domains, with recent publications focusing on wildfire evacuation decision-making, social vulnerabilities during disasters, and the effectiveness of emergency warning messages. Her research increasingly incorporates advanced technologies including machine learning, virtual reality, and social media analysis to understand human behavior in emergencies. Her exceptional contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: 2025 NFPA's Foundation Medal for the WUI-NITY 4 project 2025 Natural Hazards Research Australia's Research Team Award Shortlisted for 2024 Resilient Australia National Research for Impact Award Co-editor of a Special Issue that won the Applied Communication Division Distinguished Journal Special Issue Award (2024) 2023 Fire Technology's Editor's Choice Award ARC Future Fellowship (2023-2027) Elsevier's Top 2% of scientists in the world for career-long impact (2021-2023) Dr. Kuligowski actively mentors the next generation of researchers and is open to supervising Masters and PhD students. Current supervision projects include Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning for Wildfire Evacuation Simulations, Using Virtual and Augmented Reality to Better Understand Bushfire Evacuation Behaviour, and Augmented Training and Assistive Systems for Fire Evacuation. She has secured significant research funding, including an ARC Future Fellowship, and collaborates extensively with international partners including Imperial College London, Lund University, National Research Council Canada, CSIRO, and Fire Protection Research Foundation. She plays leadership roles in several key research initiatives including as Co-convenor of RMIT's Disaster Research Network (2023-present), Co-lead of RMIT's Centre for Urban Research Climate Change Transformations Research Program (2021-2024), and Co-Chair of the International Association for Fire Safety Science Working Group on Human Behaviour in Fires (2021-present). She is also part of an international team developing the WUI-NITY simulation platform to model evacuation from bushfire-prone communities.
Dr. Andrea Jalandoni is a DECRA Fellow and Senior Research Fellow at Griffith University's Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research, part of the Arts Education and Law Group. Her research focuses on digital archaeology, particularly the application of advanced technologies like photogrammetry, lidar, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to document and preserve rock art in regions such as Australia, Southeast Asia, and Micronesia. She holds a PhD from Griffith University (2018), an MA from the University of the Philippines (2011), and a BA from Ateneo de Manila University (2003). Dr. Jalandoni has led and contributed to numerous grants, including an ARC DECRA Fellowship (2024–2027) and projects such as 'Lost and Found CHamoru Cultural Heritage' using lidar in Guam. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating machine learning and remote sensing for archaeological analysis. She has supervised doctoral students, including Calum Uilleam Artair Lovat Farrar and Roxanne Melissa Tsang, and collaborates internationally on projects like 'A Pattern of Islands' in Micronesia. Her contributions have been recognized through awards like the Griffith University Spotlight Grant and the Humanities Travelling Fellowship. Her research spans over 20 years, with a focus on World Heritage Sites like Kakadu National Park, Niah Cave (Malaysia), and Nan Madol (Pohnpei). Key areas include rock art chronology, cultural heritage preservation, and the impact of climate change on archaeological sites. She also explores the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and digital technologies, advocating for tactile and virtual approaches to heritage accessibility.
Associate Professor Paul Roberts is affiliated with the School of Psychological Science at the University of Western Australia, where he serves as Deputy Director of the Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research. With over 25 years of academic experience, his expertise spans road safety, driver fatigue, distraction, and error. He holds a PhD in experimental psychology from UWA, focusing on implicit learning and memory. Roberts advises organizations globally on fatigue management and co-organizes the International Conference on Fatigue Management in Transport. He is a recognized expert on digital billboard safety impacts, leading numerous research and consulting projects. Education: PhD in Experimental Psychology, University of Western Australia. Research interests include human factors in road safety, driver behavior analysis, and infrastructure design. His work addresses real-world challenges like distracted driving, fatigue management, and infrastructure safety evaluations. Grants and projects include leadership in the ARC Training Centre for Automated Vehicles in Rural and Remote Regions, evaluations of the Black Spot Program, and studies on turbo roundabouts and diverging diamond interchanges. He collaborates with Main Roads Western Australia and industry partners to advance road safety solutions. Labs/Teams: Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research, Planning and Transport Research Centre.
Dr. Mogana Darshini Ganggayah is a Lecturer at the Malaysia School of Business, Monash University Malaysia, specializing in Business Analytics and Data Science. She holds a PhD in Data Science (2021) and a BSc in Bioinformatics (2018) from Universiti Malaya. Her research integrates machine learning and data analytics in healthcare and business domains, with a focus on health informatics, predictive modeling, and data literacy. She collaborates with institutions like Cambridge University, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), and Homi Baba Cancer Hospital. Dr. Ganggayah has received two Silver Awards in 2024 for innovative mental health and statistical assessment tools. She actively engages in public lectures, conferences, and peer review, and is an HRDF-certified trainer with over 1,000 trainees in data science and programming. Education: PhD in Data Science, Universiti Malaya (2021) BSc Bioinformatics (Distinction), Universiti Malaya (2018) Research Interests: Her work spans machine learning applications in healthcare (e.g., cancer diagnostics, mental health tracking) and business analytics (e.g., financial forecasting, consumer behavior). She emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and practical implementation of algorithms in real-world settings. Recent projects include developing data-driven solutions for the Habib Group and analyzing pandemic impacts on education and shopping behavior. Grants & Projects: PPRN Project (2025-2026): Building a Data-Driven Organisation with Data Warehouse and AI for the Habib Group (Chief Investigator) Labs/Teams: Engaged with UMMC’s medical data science initiatives and Monash Business School’s analytics team.
Associate Professor Zahra Gharineiat is a faculty member at the University of Southern Queensland's School of Surveying and Built Environment, specializing in Surveying and Positioning. She holds a PhD in Surveying and has over a decade of experience in academia and industry. Zahra serves as Associate Head of School (Research) and leads research in UAV applications, LiDAR, AI-enabled monitoring, and spatial data analytics. She has secured over $6 million in research funding and founded the nationally recognized 'Drones for STEM' initiative promoting STEM education through drone learning. Education: Bachelor of Surveying (BSurv) from Tabriz University Master of Engineering Management (MEngMgt) from University of Melbourne PhD in Surveying from University of Newcastle Research Interests: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Remote Sensing LIDAR and Feature Extraction Digital Twins and Spatial Data Analysis Machine Learning Applications in Geospatial Data Coastal Monitoring and Sea Level Analysis Satellite Altimetry and Geodesy Her work bridges geomatic engineering with environmental and civil applications, emphasizing innovation in surveying technologies. Awards & Recognition: Multiple awards for research, teaching, and innovation (specific names unspecified) Active member of international geospatial organizations including the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) and IEEE Geoscience Society Grants & Collaboration: Secured over $6M in research funding Key roles in interdisciplinary projects with the Centre for Future Materials and Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences Labs & Initiatives: Founder of the 'Drones for STEM' education program Lead researcher in UAV-based monitoring and LiDAR applications
Peter Baade is an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), associated with the Tier 1 Research Centre - Science (U91) and the Centre for Data Science. He holds a PhD from the University of Queensland. His research focuses on public health, epidemiology, and biostatistics, with a particular emphasis on cancer outcomes, spatial disparities, and health informatics. Baade leads projects analyzing geospatial patterns of cancer incidence and survival, Bayesian modeling for health outcomes, and the development of the Australian Cancer Atlas. Key research interests include cancer epidemiology, spatial analysis of health disparities, and the application of statistical methods to public health challenges. His work explores topics such as diagnostic delays in breast cancer, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing patterns, and survival disparities among Indigenous populations. Baade collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, integrating data science with public health to inform policy and improve healthcare equity. His recent publications highlight trends in spatial epidemiology, Bayesian approaches to small-area estimation, and visualizing health data for diverse audiences. He contributes to understanding cancer survival inequalities, particularly among rural and Indigenous communities. Baade’s research has implications for healthcare planning, cancer surveillance, and health equity initiatives.
Dr Jessica Cameron is a Research Fellow at Queensland University of Technology's Faculty of Science, affiliated with the Tier 1 Research Centre - Science and the Centre for Data Science. She holds a PhD from the University of Queensland and specializes in public health research with a focus on cancer epidemiology and spatial analysis. Her research interests center on using advanced statistical methods to understand geographical patterns in cancer incidence, survival, and screening across Australia. Dr Cameron's work employs Bayesian spatial modeling techniques to examine health inequalities and cancer outcomes at various geographical scales. She has made significant contributions to the development of the Australian Cancer Atlas, which visualizes cancer patterns across the country. Dr Cameron's recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate her expertise in spatial epidemiology, with studies examining prostate-specific antigen testing patterns, breast cancer outcomes across urban-rural divides, geographical disparities in rare cancers, and mapping cancer risk factors at small area levels. Her research consistently addresses important public health questions related to cancer prevention, screening, and treatment access. Her collaborative work with researchers including Cramb, Baade, and Mengersen has resulted in numerous high-impact publications in journals such as Cancer Epidemiology, Statistics in Medicine, and PLoS ONE. Dr Cameron's methodological expertise in Bayesian statistics and spatial analysis has positioned her as a key contributor to understanding the geography of cancer in Australia.
Dr. Paul Johnston is an Adjunct Research Fellow at Curtin University's School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. His research focuses on geophysics, glaciology, and environmental science, with expertise in postglacial rebound modeling, sea-level changes, and geodetic techniques. He has conducted extensive studies on the impacts of glacial loads on Earth's crust and mantle dynamics, contributing to understanding historical ice volumes and tectonic responses. Dr. Johnston's work integrates advanced computational methods with geospatial data analysis, particularly using InSAR technology for deformation monitoring. His research also spans wildfire modeling, veterinary epidemiology, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction, reflecting interdisciplinary collaborations in Earth and planetary sciences. He has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications since 1990, addressing topics ranging from climate-driven land movements to glacial chronology. His articles consistently explore interactions between Earth systems, such as the effects of deglaciation on seismic activity or the application of multiscale modeling for ecological disturbances. While no specific awards or grants are listed in the provided text, his contributions to geophysical and climatic research have been widely cited in fields like Quaternary science and geodynamics.
Associate Professor Stefan Felder is a leading expert in hydraulic engineering and applied fluid mechanics at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW) . With a Dipl.-Ing. from RWTH Aachen University and a PhD from the University of Queensland, he established the hydraulic engineering research group at the UNSW Water Research Laboratory in 2014. Internationally recognized for innovations in air-water flow measurement, fish passage solutions, and remote sensing technologies, his work bridges laboratory-scale modeling with field-scale applications. Education: Dipl.-Ing. (2008) RWTH Aachen, PhD (2013) University of Queensland Leadership Roles: Chair of Research Management Group at WRL, Vice-Chair of IAHR Hydraulic Structures Committee Research Focus: Experimental hydraulics, fishway design, climate change impacts on estuarine systems, and advanced instrumentation development. His work pioneers LIDAR applications for flow analysis and air-water probe technologies. Grants & Projects: Chief Investigator on $6.2M+ in grants including NSW fishway installations, Swiss hydrodynamic safety studies, and international collaborations on sustainable hydraulic systems. Scientific Awards: Karl Emil Hilgard Hydraulics Prize (ASCE) 2023 JD Lawson Scholarship (Engineers Australia) 2017 University of Queensland Dean’s Award for PhD Excellence 2013 DTK Travel Grant for Dipl.-Ing. Thesis 2008
Dr. Benjy Marks is a Senior Lecturer in Geomechanics at the School of Civil Engineering, University of Sydney. He holds a BEng/BSc (Hons I) and PhD in Civil Engineering. His research focuses on granular materials, including landslides, avalanches, and industrial processes, with applications in geotechnical engineering, pharmaceuticals, and construction. He leads the Immersive Learning Laboratory, integrating VR technology into engineering education. Education: BEng/BSc (Hons I), PhD in Civil Engineering (University of Sydney). Research interests include granular segregation, material behavior under stress, and computational modeling. He collaborates with international institutions like Université Grenoble Alpes and the University of Oslo. His work bridges fundamental granular physics and practical engineering solutions, such as landslide mitigation and fiber-reinforced concrete analysis. Recent articles highlight machine learning for grain classification, VR educational tools, and granular flow dynamics. Grants include studies on extreme wear of geotechnical machinery and earthquake mechanics. He supervises projects like 'Understanding the Student Response to Learning Empathy in Australian Engineering Courses.' Labs/Teams: Immersive Learning Laboratory, SciGEM, and collaborations with global partners in granular mechanics.
Dr. Anthony Dick is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Adelaide. He is affiliated with the Australian Institute for Machine Learning and the Australian Centre for Visual Technologies. His research focuses on computer vision, particularly visual tracking and 3D shape estimation. He explores applications in sports analytics (e.g., AFL player tracking), medical imaging, and visual question answering leveraging external knowledge sources. He is eligible to supervise PhD and Masters students in these areas. Research interests include: 3D shape analysis, visual tracking algorithms, machine learning integration for imagery, and multimodal reasoning (combining vision and text). His work often addresses challenges in large-scale surveillance networks and automated image interpretation. Publications span topics like neural network-based tracking, deep learning for set prediction, and benchmarking generative models. He has contributed to datasets such as Tenniset for event recognition in sports videos. Affiliated with interdisciplinary teams like the Australian Centre for Visual Technologies, his research bridges academic and applied domains, with potential industrial applications in automated video analysis and medical diagnostics.
