Professor Jo Barraket is a leading academic and researcher in social equity, social innovation, and public policy. As Director of the Melbourne Social Equity Institute and member of the Dilun Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership, she focuses on improving social equity through organizational innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and policy design. Her research addresses social procurement, health equity, digital inclusion, and employment pathways for marginalized groups. Her work includes landmark projects such as the Australian Digital Inclusion Index and evaluations of Commonwealth Social Enterprise Development Funds. She has secured over $11M in research grants, including multiple ARC grants, and produced over 75 scholarly publications. Her current projects compare social procurement policies in Australia and Scotland, and study youth unemployment in construction via employment-focused procurement. Key research themes include: social enterprise scaling strategies, cross-sector partnerships for policy implementation, and the role of philanthropy in equitable housing. She advises governments and OECD on inclusive employment policies and chairs major research initiatives like the Social Enterprise Impact Lab. Prof Barraket’s transdisciplinary approach combines rigorous academic research with practical outputs like policy guides and digital tools to maximize societal impact. She previously founded the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne, now a global leader in social economy research.
Professor Peter Banks is a prominent academic in Conservation Biology at The University of Sydney's School of Life and Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on developing humane solutions to invasive species impacts, particularly through understanding predator-prey dynamics and behavioral interventions. He has held roles including Treasurer of the Royal Zoological Society of NSW and editorial board memberships at journals like Oecologia. Education: PhD (2004, University of Sydney), BSc (1991, University of Sydney). His career includes positions at UNSW and University of Turku (Finland). Research interests span animal behavior, ecology, and conservation strategies. Research Themes: Animal behavior and ecophysiology, ecology and evolution, wildlife conservation. Collaborations include projects with Finland’s University of Turku on predator-prey deception and New Zealand’s Landcare Research on pest management. Recent publications emphasize olfactory misinformation tactics, urban tick ecology, and predator learning mechanisms. His work bridges behavioral ecology with applied conservation, exploring innovative methods to mitigate wildlife conflicts.
Professor Jacqueline Manuel is a Professor of English Education and Curriculum Coordinator for Secondary English at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. She holds a PhD (UNE), DipEd (UNE), and BA (Hons I) from the University of New England. Her research focuses on secondary English education, curriculum history, teacher development, and teenage reading practices. She coordinates the English curriculum methodology for the Master of Teaching (Secondary) program and advises multiple PhD students. Current projects include co-editing volumes on English teacher development and leading international collaborations like the Professional Lives of English Language Arts Teachers Project. She has held significant roles in curriculum committees and boards, including chairing NSW Board of Studies committees and serving on AITSL panels. Key research interests span educational history, teacher professional identity, creativity in arts education, and early career teacher support. Notable publications include Reimagining Shakespeare Education (2023) and Teenagers and Reading (2012). Awards include the 2018 Alan Laughlin Award for Educational Leadership and 2016 Outstanding Service Award. Professor Manuel collaborates with institutions like the International Federation for the Teaching of English (IFTE) and chairs multiple editorial boards. Her work integrates international perspectives, emphasizing English as an emancipatory subject promoting social justice.
Dr. Zara Ersozlu is a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education within the School of Education at the University of Newcastle, Australia. With a distinguished international career spanning multiple continents, she has held academic positions at prestigious institutions including North Carolina State University (USA), Gazi and Gaziosmanpasa Universities (Turkey), National Taiwan Normal University (Taiwan), The University of Western Australia, Murdoch University, and Deakin University. Her academic journey includes tenured positions as an Associate Professor and leadership roles as Department Head and Chair in teacher education disciplines. Currently, she teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in mathematics education, including Effective Pedagogies in Primary Mathematics, K-6 Mathematics, K-6 Numeracy, and Digitally Supported Learning. Dr. Ersozlu earned her Doctor of Philosophy from Firat University in Turkey and her Master of Art from Sakarya University. Her extensive academic preparation is complemented by five years of practical teaching experience in public schools prior to entering academia. This blend of theoretical knowledge and practical classroom experience informs her approach to teacher education and educational research. At the broadest level, Dr. Ersozlu's research investigates solutions to real-life problems impacting people's well-being, success, and capacity to achieve. Her scholarly work spans primary and secondary mathematics education, the psychology of mathematics (including metacognition, self-regulation, and anxiety), cross-cultural educational studies, teacher education, virtual simulated learning environments, and educational assessment. She has increasingly focused on the transformative potential of AI and machine learning in education, exploring how these technologies alter teaching, learning, and research processes. Her methodological expertise encompasses both quantitative and qualitative approaches, allowing her to effectively analyze both small and large educational datasets. Analysis of Dr. Ersozlu's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on mathematics anxiety, teacher education, and the integration of technology in learning environments. Her work demonstrates a consistent focus on practical applications of educational research to address real-world challenges in mathematics education. The interdisciplinary nature of her research connects educational psychology, technology integration, and cross-cultural perspectives, with particular attention to how these elements intersect in teacher preparation and student learning outcomes. 2023 ATEA Research Recognition Award from the Australian Teacher Education Association 2021 Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE, UK) 2010 Fellowship Program for Postdoctoral Researchers from the Council of Higher Education of Turkey Dr. Ersozlu is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of scholars, currently supervising four PhD students and having successfully guided ten students to completion. Her grant portfolio includes significant funding for projects such as Best Practice Guidelines for RPL in Initial Teacher Education Programs ($60,000), Exploring the Reciprocal Relationship Between Mathematics Anxiety and Mathematical Resilience ($2,599), and multiple conference travel awards. She serves as an Associate Editor for several prominent journals including the International Electronic Journal of Mathematics Education and as Editor for Interdisciplinary STEM Education. Her editorial work reflects her standing as a respected voice in mathematics education research. Dr. Ersozlu's academic leadership extends to her role in developing innovative teaching approaches that integrate virtual simulation technology and learning analytics. Her work with TeachLivE™, a mixed-reality classroom simulation platform, demonstrates her commitment to creating authentic learning experiences for teacher education students. Through these initiatives, she bridges the gap between educational theory and classroom practice, preparing future educators to effectively implement evidence-based teaching strategies in diverse learning environments.
Professor Janet McColl-Kennedy is a leading figure in marketing and service science at The University of Queensland's Business School. She serves as Program Lead for Innovation Pathways (FaBA) and co-founded the Service Innovation Alliance (SIA) research hub, focusing on customer experience, AI, digital transformation, and sustainability. With Fellow status in the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and the Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy, she holds international recognition including Research.com's World's Best Business Scientists ranking and the Christopher Lovelock Career Contributions to the Services Discipline Award (2025). University of Queensland Business School Honorary Visiting Professor, Cambridge Service Alliance Research Collaborator, University of Cambridge Her research spans customer experience management, service ecosystems, digital transformation, and healthcare services. She has pioneered frameworks for customer value co-creation and service recovery strategies, integrating AI and behavioral science. Her 2019 paper on customer experience insights was implemented by a major B2B organization, while her work on value co-creation improved outcomes at Lutheran Community Care. Recent publications focus on AI impacts in food and beverage services, sustainable service ecosystems, and digital health interventions. She has secured over $89 million in competitive grants, including multiple ARC Linkage and Discovery Projects, and leads cross-disciplinary teams with institutions like Cambridge University and Arizona State University. 2024 - ARC College of Experts appointment 2023 - Bo Edvardsson Industry Impact in Services Award 2022 - Elected Fellow of Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia 2021 - Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher 2018 - Ranked most influential marketing academic in Australia With over 220 publications and a Google Scholar H-index of 62, she has mentored 15 PhD students and examined theses at multiple universities. Her teaching spans 30+ years across undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive programs in Australia, USA, Italy, China, and Korea, with awards for blended learning and corporate education.
Dr. Vasileios Stavropoulos is the Associate Dean, Higher Degree Research at RMIT University's Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences. His research focuses on behavioral addictions, digital phenotyping, and the psychological impacts of digital media, particularly in gaming and social media contexts. He supervises numerous research projects addressing topics like cyber-phenotyping via text mining, disordered gaming, and the interplay between digital media and mental health. Key research interests include the psychological mechanisms underlying problematic gaming and social media use, network analysis of addiction symptomologies, and the role of user-avatar bonds in behavioral disorders. His work integrates machine learning and behavioral science to predict and analyze addictive behaviors. Dr. Stavropoulos has published extensively on gaming disorder, social media addiction, and the mental health implications of digital media use. His collaborations span clinical psychology, public health, and computational methods, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to addressing modern behavioral challenges. He is actively engaged in higher degree research governance at RMIT, overseeing doctoral programs and fostering innovation in research methodologies. His contributions include developing scales for measuring addiction behaviors and advancing longitudinal studies on mental health correlations with digital engagement.
Professor Gavan McNally is a distinguished behavioral neuroscientist at the University of New South Wales, where he serves as a Professor in the School of Psychology. He is actively engaged in research on the fundamental behavioral and brain mechanisms for learning and motivation, with applications to clinical conditions such as addictions, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders. McNally holds several prestigious editorial positions, including Editor-in-Chief of Neurobiology of Learning & Memory and Senior Editor of The Journal of Neuroscience. He also serves as President-Elect of the European Behavioral Pharmacology Society and is a Member of the Australian Research Council College of Experts. McNally's research interests span behavioral neuroscience, focusing on how fundamental brain mechanisms apply to clinical conditions. He employs a systems neuroscience approach, combining well-controlled behavioral approaches with optogenetics, chemogenetics, in vivo calcium imaging, and whole brain circuit mapping in both normal and transgenic animals. His work bridges basic science with clinical applications through collaborations with colleagues at University of Sydney, Sydney Local Health District, Monash University, and Turning Point. McNally's research particularly examines the cellular, circuit, and systems level mechanisms underlying learning, motivation, and their dysregulation in disorders like addiction. His laboratory investigates how these mechanisms translate to human conditions, with a strong emphasis on developing new treatments for psychological disorders. His extensive publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory in understanding punishment learning, addiction mechanisms, and the neural circuits underlying motivated behavior. Recent work has increasingly focused on the cognitive pathways to punishment insensitivity, the role of specific neural circuits in addiction, and translational approaches to understanding maladaptive behaviors. McNally's research bridges animal models with human studies, creating a comprehensive understanding of the neural mechanisms that govern learning and motivation, with particular attention to how these processes go awry in addiction and other psychological disorders. 2008 QEII Fellow, Australian Research Council 2009 Association for Psychological Science, International Rising Star 2010 Fellow, Association for Psychological Science 2010 UNSW Faculty of Science Staff Excellence Award for Research and Training 2011 Pavlovian Research Award, The Pavlovian Society 2012 Future Fellow (Level 3), Australian Research Council 2016 D.G. Marquis Behavioral Neuroscience Award, American Psychological Association 2017 Fellow, American Psychological Association 2019 Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia 2021 D.G. Marquis Behavioral Neuroscience Award, American Psychological Association 2022 Ross Day Plenary Lecturer, Australasian Brain and Psychological Sciences 2023 European Behavioural Pharmacology Society Plenary Lecturer 2024 Elspeth McLachlan Plenary Lecturer, Australasian Neuroscience Society 2024 D.G. Marquis Behavioral Neuroscience Award, American Psychological Association Professor McNally actively supervises several students including Bixuan Lin, Si Yin Lui, Hannah Machet, Bart Cooley, Kelly Zhuang, and Alexandra Gregory. His current research is supported by significant funding including an Australian Research Council Discovery Project (2024-2026) on "Risky choices: From cells and circuits to computations and behaviour," another Discovery Project (2025-2028) on "Multimodal mapping of punishment learning," and NHMRC grants including a Synergy Grant on "Linking clinical and basic science discovery to find new treatments for alcohol-use disorder" and an Ideas Grant on "Novel pathways to abstinence from alcohol seeking." These projects reflect his commitment to both fundamental neuroscience and translational applications for treating psychological conditions. His teaching responsibilities include PSYC2081 Learning & Physiological Psychology and PSYC3051 Physiological Psychology. McNally's laboratory employs advanced techniques including optogenetics, chemogenetics, in vivo calcium imaging, and whole brain circuit mapping to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying learning, motivation, and their dysregulation in disorders. His team works at the intersection of basic neuroscience and clinical applications, with strong collaborations across multiple institutions to translate fundamental findings into potential treatments for addiction and other psychological disorders. The lab has made significant contributions to understanding the role of brain regions like the ventral pallidum, paraventricular thalamus, and nucleus accumbens in addiction, fear learning, and punishment sensitivity.
Tracy Xiao Liu is a Professor at the Department of Economics, School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University. Her research focuses on behavioral market design and the intersection of economics and computer science (Econ-CS), utilizing experimental methods to explore decision-making mechanisms, incentive structures, and behavioral spillovers. Her publications span journals such as Management Science , Games and Economic Behavior , and Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization . Key themes include behavioral economics, game theory, public goods, and experimental studies on market design, incentive contracts, and social preferences. Recent work examines AI-driven economic rationality (GPT models), energy policy impacts, and virtual red packet dynamics in online groups. Tracy collaborates with scholars across institutions, including her husband Baoping Liu (Peking University, harmonic analysis). Her experimental research bridges microeconomic theory with real-world applications in education, pensions, and crowdsourcing platforms.
Dr. Amir Ghanbaripour is a Discipline Lead in Planning, Property, and Project Management at Bond University's Faculty of Society & Design, with a PhD in Construction Project Management (2020). He teaches postgraduate courses and leads the Project Management program. His expertise spans project management methodologies, systems thinking, organizational maturity, and gender equality in projects. He is an active member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) as Associate Director for Academic Outreach. Education: PhD in Construction Project Management (Bond University, 2020), MSc in Civil Engineering (Iran University of Science and Technology, 2012), BSc in Civil Engineering (Amirkabir University of Technology, 2009). Research focuses on project success models, agile methodologies, and technology integration in construction education. He leads research projects on megaprojects, sustainable practices, and gender diversity in the industry. Grants include the 2023 FSD Research Project Grant (focusing on construction project strategies) and the 2023 FSD Deans Award (exploring robotics in manufacturing). He supervises PhD candidates and collaborates with national/international organizations on project management innovation.
Dr. Tan Kim Lim is a Senior Lecturer at the James Cook University (Singapore Campus), specializing in organizational psychology and consumer behavior. He holds a PhD from Curtin University (2016–2019), an MBA from the University of Melbourne (2004–2006), and a Bachelor of Business from Monash University (1999–2002). His research focuses on the future of work, employee attitudes, technology adoption in hospitality/tourism, and consumer behavior analysis. He employs advanced methodologies like PLS-SEM and has published over 47 articles in top journals like the European Business Review and Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics . Dr. Lim has held roles including Assistant Professor at BNU-HKBU United International College (2020–2022) and Post-doctoral researcher at the Human Capital Leadership Institute (2019–2021). He currently serves on editorial boards of the Journal of Responsible Tourism Management and Journal of Global Responsibilities , and is a member of the Singapore Human Resource Institute and Society of Industrial-Organizational Psychology. His applied research spans commissioned projects for governments and private entities, including studies on waste classification behavior, country music festivals, and AI adoption in social services. Awards include the JCUS Early Career Researcher Award (2023) and Emerald Literati Reviewer Award (2022). Dr. Lim also actively speaks at regional conferences on topics like AI in networking and post-pandemic workplace trends. His current research interests include STARA (Smart Technologies, AI, Robotics, Algorithms) impacts on work, meaningful work dynamics, and tourism behavior analysis. He supervises PhD students exploring AI in social services, indigenous tourism, and workplace technology adoption.
Professor Sara Dolnicar is an ARC Australian Laureate Fellow at the School of Business, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, University of Queensland. With degrees in psychology and business administration from Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien, she specializes in market segmentation, sustainable tourism, social marketing, and environmental behavior. Born in Slovenia, raised in Austria, now based in Australia Over 300 refereed publications and 16 ARC grants Recipient of TTRA Distinguished Researcher Award (2017) and Slovenian Ambassador of Science (2016) Her research improves market segmentation methodology, addresses environmental sustainability in tourism, and develops behavioral interventions for eco-friendly tourist practices. She pioneered perceptions-based market segmentation and introduced bi-clustering techniques for improved data analysis. Recent publications focus on towel reuse interventions, buffet waste reduction, and smart sensor systems for hotel sustainability. She supervises PhD students in environmental behavior, tourism carbon emissions, and IoT applications for sustainability. Current grants include 'Mechanisms of Behaviour Change Theory' (2025-2028) and 'Reducing plate waste in hotels' (2021-2025). Key research areas: Sustainable tourism, market segmentation, social marketing Supervised over 15 PhD students in environmental behavior and disability employment Collaborates with industry partners like Energy Queensland and disability organizations
Professor Luke Prendergast is the Deputy Dean of the School of Computing, Engineering & Mathematical Sciences (SCEMS) at La Trobe University (LTU) and holds a Professorship in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. He previously served as Head of Department (2014–2020) and led LTU's Statistics Consulting Platform. His research focuses on robust statistics, meta-analysis, dimension reduction, and applied statistics, leading the DRAMA research group. Collaborations span fields like endocrinology, disability studies, and respiratory health. He actively contributes to research grants, including projects on Prader-Willi syndrome and exercise for disability populations. Professor Prendergast's recent work emphasizes statistical software development (e.g., the rquest package) and applications in biostatistics, such as metabolomics analysis and health intervention fidelity. His articles address topics like quantile-based hypothesis testing, geospatial accessibility for disability care, and motivational interviewing efficacy. Professional roles include NHMRC grant review panels, editorial boards for Nutrients and Respirology , and leadership in the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA Vic). His teaching includes courses in meta-analysis, linear models, and data-based critical thinking. Grants funded projects on exercise programs for cerebral palsy populations and community-university partnerships for disability inclusion. Luke's work bridges statistical theory with real-world health challenges, emphasizing robust methodologies and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Dr Dongbin Wei is an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering , University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with a career spanning academia and industry. He holds a PhD in Materials Processing Engineering from the University of Science and Technology Beijing (2001) and academic appointments from 2005–2012 at the University of Wollongong (Research Fellow to Lecturer) and 2013–2017 at UTS (Senior Lecturer) before his promotion to Associate Professor in 2018. His research lies at the intersection of Mechanical Engineering , Manufacturing Engineering , and Materials Processing , focusing on: Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM) Micro Metal Forming and Size Effects Tribology and Lubrication Numerical Simulations of Material Processing Composite Material Fabrication Key contributions include: Development of the Springback Path–Displacement Adjustment (SP-DA) method for stamping accuracy Advancements in femtosecond laser texturing for silicon wettability control Studies on nanolubrication in hot rolling Optimization of micro-deep drawing parameters He has secured competitive grants from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and industry partners like Weir Minerals Australia Ltd , including projects on: Revolutionizing mineral separation via additive manufacturing Super high-speed grinding technologies Mechanics of micro composite drill fabrication As a lead supervisor, he guided the 2022 thesis 'Creation and Validation of 3D Printable Mineral Separation Spiral' . His work bridges theoretical analysis, computational modeling (FEM/FEA), and practical validation in advanced manufacturing systems.
Dr. Matthew Jones is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Swinburne University of Technology’s School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education. With a career spanning institutions in the UK and Australia, Matthew’s research bridges interdisciplinary domains including policing, sociology, law, and organizational studies. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, emphasizing evidence-informed pedagogy and curriculum innovation. Affiliation: Swinburne University of Technology (2022–Present) Previous Roles: The Open University (2017–2022), Northumbria University (2014–2017), Cardiff Metropolitan University (2013–2014). Research Themes: Matthew’s work focuses on three core areas: Policing: Police visibility, digital strategies, occupational culture, diversity, and leadership. LGBTQI+ Criminology: Workplace discrimination, hate crimes, community-police relations, and victimology. Digital Criminology: Technology’s role in policing, crime prevention, and digital victim support systems. Publications: His 15 most recent articles highlight evolving trends in digital policing, police visibility, academic standards in policing education, and LGBTQI+ workplace experiences. These works span qualitative studies, policy analysis, and interdisciplinary collaborations, reflecting his commitment to visual criminology and semiotics. Scientific Awards: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2022) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2013) Professional Activities: Matthew served as Chair (2019–2022) and Board Member (2013–2019) of the British Society of Criminology’s Policing Network. He led curriculum development for police apprenticeships (2017–2019) and contributed to the first UK Subject Benchmark Statement for Policing (2022). He supervises PhD students on topics like community policing, child maltreatment resilience, and crime drama narratives. Education: He holds an LLB in Law, an MSc in Social Science Research Methods, a PhD in Socio-Legal Studies, a PGCert in Higher Education pedagogy, and an MBA in Leadership Practice.
Chao Ma is a Lecturer at the Research School of Management, Australian National University (ANU). He holds a Doctor of Philosophy, MPhil, Master of Business, and BBA in Human Resource Management from ANU and HKBU. His research focuses on Human Resource Management (e.g., perceived overqualification, career development) and Organisational Behaviour (e.g., leadership, unethical pro-organisational behaviour). He has supervised research students and contributed to over 22 peer-reviewed articles since 2016, exploring topics like AI in HR, knowledge-sharing platforms, and leadership dynamics. His work often examines cross-cultural contexts, particularly in China, addressing themes such as temporary worker integration, follower behaviour under authoritarian leadership, and the dual effects of overqualification on workplace outcomes. Collaborations span international scholars, focusing on topics like employee voice, humility in leadership, and stress management in multi-employment environments. Chao Ma's research bridges theoretical frameworks with practical implications for managing modern organisational challenges, emphasizing ethical leadership, employee well-being, and leveraging technology in HR practices. His recent studies highlight AI's role in improving migrant worker conditions and resolving knowledge-sharing dilemmas in digital platforms.