Amir Aryani is an Associate Professor at the School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship , Swinburne University of Technology . He leads the Social Data Analytics (SoDA) Lab within the Social Innovation Research Institute , focusing on data-driven solutions for health and social challenges. His work involves large-scale cross-institutional projects with international collaborators including the British Library , ORCID , and NIH . Research Focus: Data modeling, real-time analytics, and information retrieval for social-good initiatives Collaborations: CERN, Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS), and Global Information Systems (GESIS) His research explores data science applications in mental health, community resilience, and sustainable development. Key trends in his publications include: Mapping research to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Developing hybrid expert-finding models using NLP and graph algorithms Creating interoperable research graphs for cross-platform discovery Assessing social impact of data projects in non-profit sectors Amir is actively involved in PhD supervision and has secured funding from Australian Research Council , National Health and Medical Research Council , and philanthropic foundations . He also contributes to community data projects through the SoDA Lab , which builds tools for social connection analysis and humanitarian response optimization.
Professor Massimiliano Tani Bertuol is a distinguished academic specializing in economics at UNSW Canberra's School of Business, where he has served as Professor since 2015. His professional affiliations extend beyond UNSW as he is an Associate Investigator/Member at CEPAR; Ageing Futures; uDASH; AI Institute; and Cyber security (IFCYBER). Additionally, he maintains international connections as a Research Fellow at the Institute for the Future of Labor (IZA) in Germany since 2005, an Associate Member at Macquarie University's Centre for Workforce Futures since 2018, and a Research Fellow at the Global Labor Organization (GLO) in Maastricht since 2016. His educational background reflects a strong foundation in economics and business, having earned a PhD in Economics from the Australian National University (2003), a Master of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics (1992), and a Bachelor's degree in Business/Economics from Bocconi University in Milan, Italy (1989). His academic journey has positioned him as a leading researcher in human capital economics with international recognition. Professor Tani Bertuol's research centers on human capital development and its economic implications. His work examines how human capital can be fostered, efficiently transferred internationally through migration, and how it affects productivity, innovation, and economic growth at both firm and national levels. His research spans multiple regions including Australia, Europe, the US, Africa, and China, with particular focus on migration economics, labor market outcomes, and the economic impacts of education and skills. His current research agenda includes non-pecuniary incentives, behavioral/financial decisions in China, occupational licensing, language skills and economic assimilation, AI-human interactions in health contexts, and labor mobility and productivity. Analysis of his recent publications reveals significant interdisciplinary trends bridging economics with public health, environmental science, and technology. His work connects migration dynamics with economic outcomes, examines household financial behaviors through gender lenses, and investigates the complex relationships between environmental factors like air pollution and economic activities including education investment and entrepreneurship. More recent work explores AI applications in health and the economic implications of pandemic responses, demonstrating his ability to address contemporary challenges through rigorous economic analysis. 2023: UNSW ARC Postgraduate Council (Arc PGC) award for excellence in research supervision 2011: Vice-Chancellor Award for Teaching Excellence 2011: Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence for teaching economics Professor Tani Bertuol has successfully supervised 4 PhD students to completion, with 1 submitted dissertation and 5 currently under supervision. His active research program is supported by significant grant funding including an ARC Linkage Project (2023-27) on regional Australia's skills shortages and high-skill refugees' employment ($354,811), an ARC Discovery Project (2019-23) on migrant aging and wellbeing ($478,000), and a NUW Alliance grant (2021-23) on hearing screening and academic outcomes ($73,367). He serves as Associate Editor for Social Indicators Research and Higher Education Research & Development, contributing to scholarly discourse in his fields of expertise. His teaching portfolio includes courses in data analytics, finance, and professional executive education focused on cost-benefit analysis and data communication. He teaches ZBUS2333 Data Analytics and Visualisation, ZBUS8105 Finance and Investment Appraisal, and ZBUS8149 Introduction to Finance, demonstrating his commitment to developing the next generation of economics professionals with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Hilary Johnson is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Living with a Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University, and has taught part-time in the School of Allied Health. Her academic and clinical work centers on improving communication access for individuals with complex communication needs, including those with aphasia, intellectual disabilities, and developmental conditions. Adjunct Associate Professor, Living with a Disability Research Centre Part-time teaching, School of Allied Health, La Trobe University Extensive collaboration with Scope and other disability organizations Hilary holds a PhD, MA (Ed), B Ed, and Dip Sp Th, reflecting a strong interdisciplinary background in speech pathology, education, and disability studies. Diploma in Speech Therapy (Dip Sp Th) Bachelor of Education (B Ed) Master of Arts in Education (MA Ed) Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Her research is deeply committed to enhancing the lives of people with little or no speech through Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), saliva control, and inclusive communication practices. She investigates communication access in healthcare, legal, transport, and community settings, aiming to foster dignity, autonomy, and social inclusion. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on participatory research, accessibility standards, and the development of practical tools and training for frontline workers. Her work spans qualitative studies, intervention evaluations, and policy-oriented research, often employing co-design and community-based methodologies. Her scientific contributions have been recognized through widespread citation, media pickup, and policy references, though formal awards are not listed in the provided text. Keynote speaker at national and international conferences Multiple publications in high-impact journals such as Disability and Rehabilitation and Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research cited in policy and news outlets Hilary actively mentors students and collaborates across disciplines, though specific advisees are not named. Her work is supported through institutional and organizational partnerships, including Scope, and emphasizes capacity building in both professional and community contexts. She is involved in developing and evaluating digital tools like the Aphasia App and communication access networks, reflecting a forward-looking approach to leveraging technology for inclusion.
Professor Matt Garratt is a faculty member at the University of New South Wales (UNSW Canberra), School of Engineering and IT, serving as AI theme lead for the Defence Trailblazer Universities initiative with over $200 million in funding. His primary research focuses on sensing, guidance, and control for autonomous systems within robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles. Garratt's research spans robotics, swarm intelligence, and autonomous systems with emphasis on bio-inspired navigation techniques and adaptive flight control. His work addresses critical challenges including terrain following using vision systems, landing UAVs on moving platforms, and developing self-organizing swarms. He integrates artificial intelligence, computer vision, and machine learning to advance unmanned systems capabilities in complex environments. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong trends in bio-inspired UAV navigation (particularly honeybee behavior modeling) and swarm robotics applications. His work increasingly incorporates deep learning for perception tasks while addressing real-world challenges like gas plume detection and adversarial robustness in 3D vision systems. The research demonstrates consistent progression toward practical implementation of autonomous systems in dynamic environments. Professor Garratt has secured over $7.7 million in external research funding as Chief Investigator on 33 grants. He actively mentors graduate students with scholarships available for Masters and PhD research in robotics and AI, focusing on: UAV path planning and adaptive control systems Swarm robotics collective motion optimization Bio-inspired autonomous navigation techniques Computer vision for robotic perception He co-founded the UNSW Canberra AIR (AI and Robotics) Group (AIR Lab), which drives research in trusted autonomy, swarm intelligence, and AI integration for defense applications. The lab develops practical solutions for autonomous systems operating in complex, real-world environments while maintaining ethical AI frameworks.
Annette Woods is a Professor at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), specializing in literacy education, early childhood development, and Indigenous education. Her work emphasizes culturally responsive pedagogy, social justice, and equity in curriculum design. She has led projects such as the Home Languages in Schools initiative (HLinS) and contributed to evaluations like the Stronger Smarter Learning Communities Project . Dr. Woods collaborates extensively with educators and communities to develop inclusive teaching practices. Research Interests: Literacy and numeracy pedagogy for diverse learners Indigenous methodologies and curriculum integration Digital childhood studies and media literacy Teacher professional development and culturally nourishing pedagogies Ethical frameworks for educational research Publications & Projects: Dr. Woods has authored/co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and reports. Notable outputs include the 2020 edited volume Literacies in Early Childhood and the 2024 Digital Child Ethics Toolkit . Her work spans topics from early literacy interventions to systemic educational equity reforms. Grants & Collaborations: Key projects include evaluations of national education initiatives (e.g., National Community Hubs Program) and partnerships with Indigenous communities to enhance educational outcomes. She serves as a lead evaluator for the Stronger Smarter Learning Communities Project, focusing on Indigenous student success. Labs/Teams: Active in QUT's Education research clusters, particularly those addressing digital childhoods and culturally responsive education.
Dr Declan Humphreys is a Lecturer in Cyber Security at the School of Science, Technology and Engineering at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He coordinates courses on ethics in cyber security, covering topics such as surveillance, disinformation, ethical design, and corporate responsibility. His research explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, ethics, and societal impact, with a focus on epistemic harms, AI replicas of deceased individuals, and algorithmic market risks. Research Focus: Ethics in AI development and deployment Cyber security risks of generative AI Philosophical implications of digital afterlife technologies Ethical challenges in reinforcement learning and sycophantic AI Critical analysis of pricing algorithms Scientific Awards: Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) Professional Memberships: Australasian Association of Philosophy (AAP) Teaching Areas: Ethics in Cyber Security Artificial Intelligence Technological Ethics Program Coordination for Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology Research Projects: He supervises HDR and Honours students in projects related to ethics in AI, societal risks of disinformation, AI modeling for moral decisions, and cyber security protection for NGOs. Labs & Teams: Dr Humphreys contributes to the Healthy Ageing Research Cluster and participates in the MindSET-do project, which engages young students in technology and programming education.
Dr. Andy Bown is a Lecturer in Languages and TESOL at the University of Tasmania's Faculty of Education. He holds a PhD from Macquarie University (2015) and has over 30 years of experience in language education across Thailand, France, the UAE, and Australia. His research focuses on educational technology, second language acquisition, and culturally diverse learning contexts. He currently coordinates courses like EPR215 and EMT609, and supervises PhD candidates exploring technology's role in language learning. Education: PhD, 'Using a virtual learning environment for the development of L2 academic reading' (Macquarie University, 2015) MEd, 'The usefulness of guided feedback in a web-based IELTS reading programme for Arab learners' (University of Manchester, 2004) BA (Hons) in French and Linguistics (University of York, 1992) Research Interests: Dr. Bown specializes in Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), mobile-assisted language learning, and second language reading strategies. His work emphasizes technology's role in linguistically diverse classrooms, particularly in developing countries. Recent projects include studies on social media for vocabulary development and culturally responsive pedagogy. Grants & Engagements: UTAS representative on the Modern Language Teachers’ Association of Tasmania Led the 'Early Language Learning' case study ($5,000 grant, 2017) Co-lead of the LinguaLab research group Labs/Teams: Co-leads the LinguaLab, a collaborative space exploring language education innovations.
Dr. Jindan Ni is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Global and Language Studies at RMIT University's School of Global, Urban and Social Studies. She holds academic affiliations at RMIT's City Campus and can be reached at jindan.ni@rmit.edu.au . Her career includes prior roles such as Sessional Lecturer at the University of Melbourne (2015–2017) and Lecturer of Japanese Language and Culture at Fujian Normal University, China (2010–2011). She currently oversees supervision for research projects including Female Images in the English Translations of Shui Hu Zhuan and Understanding Female Chinese International Students' Negotiation of Gender and Cultural Norms . Her research focuses on Japanese and Chinese literature, comparative literature, translation studies, and language education. Dr. Ni explores interdisciplinary themes such as cross-cultural literary dialogues and the intersection of gender with cultural norms. She has engaged with UN Sustainable Development Goals including Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Reduced Inequalities. Notable professional contributions include editorial roles for The Australian Review of Applied Linguistics and membership in organizations like the Modern Language Association. Dr. Ni has received the Japan Foundation Fellowship (2023–2024) and actively participates in academic committees such as the Research Committee of Global, Urban and Social Studies. Her teaching spans Chinese language courses and drama-based learning modules. She advocates for culturally responsive pedagogies and has published widely on topics ranging from classical literature to modern translation practices.
Thembi Mason is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at RMIT University, Australia. Her roles include Associate Dean (Education), Senior Advisor in Learning and Teaching, and Program Manager. She specializes in leadership for learning and teaching, digital technologies, and next-generation learning spaces. Her work emphasizes active learning, student agency, and innovative pedagogies. Education Experience: Secondary schools Adult education Vocational education Higher education Research Interests: Focuses on learning and teaching leadership, active learning, online learning strategies, educational technologies, and curriculum design. Her work addresses challenges in contemporary educational systems and promotes student-centered approaches. Research Themes: Her publications explore Associate Deans' roles, leadership in creative arts education, and professional development in next-generation learning spaces. Recent work includes analysis of virtual teaching models and post-COVID teacher training. Advising & Grants: Open to supervising Masters/PhD students in projects like remote teaching during lockdowns and post-pandemic professional learning. Active in national projects on academic development and technology-enabled learning. Labs/Teams: Collaborates through networks like createED to strengthen learning leadership in creative arts institutions.
Dr Ben Bailey is a Lecturer at the University of Newcastle's School of Health Sciences , specializing in Speech Pathology and Developmental Disability research. His work focuses on leveraging Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) to enhance communication development in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions . Key Affiliations: University of Newcastle (2020–Present), Flinders University (2020–2023), University of Technology Sydney (2019–2020) Education: Doctor of Philosophy (University of Sydney), Bachelor of Speech Pathology (University of Newcastle) His research explores interdisciplinary practice to co-design literacy instruction and digital interventions (VR/AR) for children with Down syndrome , cerebral palsy , and ASD . Notable projects include the DISCOVR VR prototype and InterPlay AR application . He has supervised PhD and Honours students on topics like Vocabulary Development in ASD and Communication Skills in Kindergarten . Publications span telepractice literacy , eye-tracking , and cross-cultural autism studies in Indigenous Australian communities. Current Teaching: Course coordinator for Language, Literacy and Hearing and Research Review at the University of Newcastle (2024).
Professor Natalie Ciccone is a Professor in Speech Pathology at Edith Cowan University's School of Medical and Health Sciences. She joined ECU in 2009 after working in Speech Pathology programs at Curtin University since 1999. Professor Ciccone is currently involved in two NHMRC-funded projects: a multi-centre randomized control trial of very early intervention for people with aphasia after stroke and an exploration into communication disorders after stroke and traumatic brain injury in Aboriginal peoples in Western Australia. Her educational background includes a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Communication Science from Curtin University of Technology (2003) and a Bachelor of Science in Speech & Hearing Science from the same institution (1996). Professor Ciccone's research focuses on neurogenic communication disorders, particularly aphasia intervention, clinical decision making, communication difficulties after stroke in Aboriginal Australians, and the use of discourse in the analysis and treatment of aphasia. Her work bridges clinical practice with culturally responsive care, emphasizing the importance of understanding communication disorders within specific cultural contexts, particularly for Aboriginal populations. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on culturally responsive rehabilitation for Aboriginal Australians with brain injuries, early intervention for aphasia after stroke, treatment fidelity in clinical trials, and innovative educational approaches in speech pathology. Her work shows a consistent trajectory toward addressing health disparities and developing culturally safe rehabilitation practices. Member of the Editorial Committee for the Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech Language Pathology Active participant in national and international speech pathology and allied health conferences Professor Ciccone has supervised numerous research students, including PhD candidates and Master's students, with projects focusing on aphasia rehabilitation, simulation-based learning, and culturally responsive care. Her research projects have secured substantial funding from organizations including the National Health and Medical Research Council, Department of Health WA, and the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science. She has led projects totaling over $8 million in research funding, with current projects focusing on AI-driven virtual character simulation for aggression de-escalation training and enhancing rehabilitation services for Aboriginal Australians after brain injury. Professor Ciccone maintains active clinical connections, having worked as a speech pathologist in acute and rehabilitation hospital settings as well as community-based clinics in Perth and Darwin, primarily working with patients with communication and swallowing difficulties following stroke and head injury.
Professor Adam Dunn is a leading academic in Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health at The University of Sydney , where he established the Discipline of Biomedical Informatics and Digital Health in 2020. With nearly 20 years of experience, his work integrates machine learning , natural language processing , and computational social science to address challenges in public health , clinical epidemiology , and evidence synthesis . His research programs focus on: (1) improving health information access and trust, (2) analyzing misinformation uptake via digital traces, and (3) developing AI tools for systematic review efficiency. Current projects include generative AI applications in patient discharge instructions , fairness in multimodal health AI , and infodemic burden measurement toolkits for WHO. Recent publications span clinical NLP , vaccine credibility , and social media surveillance . Awards include global recognition in medical informatics and editorial leadership roles at npj Digital Public Health and npj Digital Medicine. He has supervised over 15 PhD scholars and served on NHMRC and MRFF grant review panels. Key Projects: WHO Infodemic Toolkit, NLM R01 grant on ClinicalTrials.gov integration Expertise: AI in health, systematic review methodology, health information trust
Iti Chaturvedi is a Lecturer in the Department of Information Technology at James Cook University (JCU). She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research focuses on signal processing and AI applications in social media, including emotion recognition, speech analysis, and sentiment analysis. She has been recognized as a Top 2% Most Cited Researcher globally (2022) and received the JCU CSE Early Career Researcher Award (2020). She teaches courses such as Machine Learning and Data Science, Programming III, and Design Thinking I. Current research projects include sentiment prediction from social media (since 2020). She serves as an Associate Editor for the Expert Systems journal (2023) and has been an ARC Assessor (2020). Key contributions include work on speech emotion recognition, constrained manifold learning for videos, and multimodal emotion recognition systems. Her research outputs span journals like Expert Systems , Signal Processing , and conferences including IJCNN and AAAI.
Associate Professor Rachel Burke is an Applied Linguist and TESOL educator in the School of Education at the University of Newcastle, affiliated with the College of Human and Social Futures. Her research focuses on linguistically and culturally diverse educational contexts, critical examination of policy impacts, and praxis-driven approaches to language education. She holds a PhD and has extensive experience in refugee education, forced migration studies, and equity in higher education. Research Interests: Dr. Burke’s work spans sociolinguistics, TESOL curriculum development, and educational equity for marginalized groups. Her recent projects explore the linguistic experiences of refugee/asylum seeker students, ethics in fragile research contexts, and digital empowerment for displaced learners. She employs critical discourse analysis to examine structural inclusion/exclusion mechanisms in education systems. Key Contributions: Her 2023 co-authored book Questioning Care in Higher Education challenges conventional definitions of academic service. Over 26 peer-reviewed articles and 12 book chapters address topics like EMI in Vietnam, mental health in teacher education, and policy barriers for asylum seekers. She has secured $418k in grants including the Scanlon Foundation’s Unity Works initiative supporting refugee employment. Grants & Impact: Leads projects like Refugee Mothers & Children Toolkit (Perpetual Limited, 2021) and co-leads the Co-designing Legal Literacy Resources grant (2024). Her work informs institutional policies on linguistic equity and asylum seeker access to education. Supervision: Supervises 12 current PhD students researching topics from EFL pedagogy in Vietnam to wellbeing in primary education. Her mentorship focuses on ethical research practices in sensitive contexts.
Dr. Kaie Maennel is a Lecturer at the School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, part of the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology at the University of Adelaide. Her research focuses on Human Aspects of Cyber Security, including Cyber Awareness and Hygiene, Serious Games (Cyber Defence Exercises), and Learning Analytics in Cyber Training. She also investigates Usable Security, Information Security Culture, and Cybersecurity Risk Management. With over 20 years of corporate experience in Audit and Assurance at Deloitte, she holds professional certifications: ACCA, CIA, and Estonian CPA. Her research interests emphasize bridging cybersecurity education with practical applications, leveraging experiential learning and advanced analytics. She actively participates in high-profile cybersecurity initiatives like the NATO CCDCOE’s Locked Shields workshop, contributing to exercise design and assessment frameworks. Dr. Maennel is eligible to supervise Masters and PhD students as a Co-Supervisor, focusing on cybersecurity education, exercise methodologies, and human-centric security strategies. She prioritizes interdisciplinary approaches and real-world impact through collaborations with industry and academic partners. Her work spans cyber defense exercise ontology development, cultural adaptation of cybersecurity programs, and leveraging behavioral genetics insights. Recent trends in her publications highlight the integration of AI into cybersecurity training and the critical role of human factors in mitigating cyber risks.
