Dr. Gavin Morris is a Lecturer in Education at Charles Darwin University's College of Education, with over two decades of teaching experience in Australian schools. His academic qualifications include a PhD from Charles Darwin University (2019), Master of Education from University of Sydney (2016), and Bachelor of Education from James Cook University (2000). Morris specializes in Indigenous research methodologies, Health & Physical Education, and Sport Science. His qualitative work focuses on trauma healing, truth-telling, and decolonization practices in Aboriginal communities, particularly using Dadirri (deep listening) methodologies. Recent research explores digital platforms for cultural preservation and community resilience. As a registered postgraduate research supervisor, Morris contributes to undergraduate and postgraduate programs while maintaining active fieldwork in remote Northern Territory communities like Nauiyu at Daly River.
Deborah Richards is a Professor in the School of Computing at Macquarie University, affiliated with the Ethics and Agency Research Centre, Performance and Expertise Research Centre, and Frontier AI Research Centre. She holds roles as Industry and External Relations Director for the School and Director of the Virtual Reality Lab. Her research focuses on Intelligent Virtual Agents, Virtual Reality applications in education and health, knowledge acquisition, and cybersecurity ethics. She has authored over 425 publications and led 19 research projects, including studies on AI in healthcare and ethical AI design. Education: PhD (Artificial Intelligence, Macquarie University), MAppSc (Information Studies), BBus (Computing and MIS), and a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (Leadership and Management). She advises on PhD and MRes students in Intelligent Virtual Agents research. Research interests include virtual agents for health behavior change, AI ethics, and educational technology. Notable projects include the eADVICE web-based management system for urinary incontinence and the development of embodied conversational agents for wellbeing support. Awards include the ABC Science Media Fellowship (2005) and Vice-Chancellor’s Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (2017). Grants and collaborations span health informatics, cybersecurity, and AI ethics. She co-leads initiatives like the Respectful Maternity Care study and the Virtual Reality Lab’s immersive learning environments. Future work emphasizes ethical AI integration in education and healthcare.
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.
Neil Pembroke is a Lecturer in Studies in Religion at the University of Queensland , affiliated with the School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry . His academic work bridges theology, philosophy, and pastoral care, with a focus on spiritual formation, healthcare ethics, and the intersection of psychology and religion. Education : B.Eng (Agric.), B.Th (B.C.T.), BA (Hons), PhD (Edin) Teaching interests : Jung and Human Spirituality, Religion and Health, Mysticism, Psychology of Religion, Religion and Psychotherapies His research explores therapeutic preaching, spiritual maturity, and the role of empathy in Christian and interfaith contexts. He has contributed to organizational spirituality, particularly in church-sponsored healthcare, and examined compassion fatigue through Christian and Buddhist perspectives. Publications include books like Divine Therapeia and the Sermon and Renewing Pastoral Practice , with over 50 journal articles and 10 book chapters. Collaborative projects span international studies on pastoral care models and interdisciplinary dialogues on ethics. Neil Pembroke's work emphasizes the integration of theological and psychological insights into personal and communal spiritual growth, with a particular focus on shame, identity, and the relational Trinity as frameworks for pastoral practice.
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.
Laura Robinson is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychology , University of Wollongong. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology and extensive teaching experience in behavioral sciences, statistics, and applied psychology. Education : PhD in Psychology (2017), Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (2010), Bachelor of Psychology (2009), and Bachelor of Aviation (2004) Her research focuses on vulnerable populations, particularly women and youth, with expertise in substance use disorders, eating disorders, mental health comorbidity, and health equity. She has published extensively on residential treatment outcomes, continuing care interventions, and stigma reduction in mental healthcare. Recent publications highlight longitudinal analyses of psychological distress, weight stigma, and integrated approaches to substance use and physical health. She supervises PhD students on topics like veterans' mental health, methamphetamine use, and suicide prevention. Laura has received funding from internal and external sources, including grants for stimulant use interventions and health literacy studies. She serves on committees like the Australasian Professional Society for Alcohol and Drugs and contributes to peer-reviewed journals as a reviewer.
Dr Virginia Hagger is a Senior Lecturer in Nursing at Deakin University's School of Nursing & Midwifery, part of the Faculty of Health and the Institute for Health Transformation. She specializes in diabetes education, self-management, and psychological wellbeing. Her research focuses on structured education programs, diabetes distress, and workforce development. She holds a PhD and Master of Public Health from Deakin University. Dr Hagger has led numerous national and international studies, including interventions targeting diabetes distress, insulin therapy barriers, and telehealth support. She is affiliated with the Quality and Patient Safety (QPS) Strategic Research Centre and the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes . Awards include the 2019 Alfred Deakin Medal and 2017 Vice-Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence. Her teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate nursing, including units on diabetes pathophysiology and psychosocial contexts. Current doctoral students focus on diabetes distress, social support in Ethiopia, and autonomy in insulin management. Over 30 peer-reviewed articles and grants (e.g., MRFF-funded HypoPAST and LISTEN trials) underscore her contributions to diabetes care innovation and workforce training.
Professor Christhina Candido is Director of the Sustainable and Healthy Environments (SHE) Lab at the University of Melbourne's Melbourne School of Design. As a WELL Faculty member, she collaborates with GBCA, NABERS, and IWBI on building performance standards. Her research examines the intersection of building design, occupant experience, and environmental performance, with focus areas including: Post-occupancy evaluation methodologies Indoor environmental quality metrics Climate-responsive design in tropical/subtropical regions Wellbeing-certified workplaces Recent work analyzes post-pandemic work patterns, biophilic design effectiveness, and adoption challenges of WELL Building Standards. Her projects provide evidence-based frameworks for creating sustainable, healthy built environments.
Professor Philip Birch is a distinguished academic in Criminology at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Faculty of Design & Society, School of International Studies & Education. With over 15 years of academic experience across British, American, and Australian university systems, he has established himself as a leading expert in policing, community safety, and criminal justice. His extensive practical background in criminology, including roles as a Specialist Crime Team Manager, Community Safety Research Manager, and Through Care Worker in UK correctional facilities, informs his applied research approach. Professor Birch's educational background includes a BSocSci. (Hons) in Social Policy (Crime & Justice) from the University of Manchester, multiple postgraduate qualifications from the Open University (including an MSc. in Social & Criminological Research Methods), a Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice from the University of Huddersfield, and a PhD in Criminology from the University of New South Wales. He also holds a Fellowship with the Higher Education Academy. His research centers on six key areas: Police & Policing; Community Safety & Crime Prevention; Prisons, Probation & Parole Policy & Practice; Assessment, Treatment & Management of Offenders; Gender & sexuality inclusive Domestic and Family Violence; and Sex Work, Sex Workers and Procurement. His work emphasizes the practical application of criminological research to real-world justice issues, with strong industry engagement across law enforcement and correctional services. Recent publications reveal a clear trend toward police mental health, aging in policing, hate crime identification, trauma-informed policing approaches, and digital community safety initiatives. His research employs diverse methodologies including qualitative case studies, Delphi methods, rapid evidence assessments, and comparative analyses across multiple jurisdictions. Teaching award (2019) from Australian College of Educators for outstanding contribution to education Literati Award (2019) for published work Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy Professor Birch has supervised numerous Honours, Masters by Coursework, Masters by Research and PhD students in Criminology, Criminal Justice and Policing, with several completions to date. He has secured over $1.3 million in research funding, including an ARC Linkage grant, and has acted as an external assessor for domestic and international funding bodies. His research projects address critical issues in criminology and policing, often with direct policy implications. He established the Crime & Security Science (CaSS) Research Group at UTS in 2022, a cross-faculty initiative connecting academia with industry to advance evidence-based criminology, criminal justice, policing, and community safety research. This group serves as a hub for collaborative projects addressing contemporary security challenges through translational research.
Dr. Alessio Russo is a Senior Lecturer in Landscape Architecture at the School of Architecture and Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology (QUT). As a recognized expert in urban ecosystem services and green infrastructure, his research bridges environmental design with human health and climate change mitigation. His research emphasizes enhancing urban human health and wellbeing through biodiverse green spaces, participatory design, and nature-based solutions that address thermal comfort, pollution removal, food production, and water runoff. Key projects include 2023-2024: Urban rewilding aesthetics & people's needs in blue/green infrastructure (UKRI RECLAIM Network Plus) 2023: Climate-resilient public spaces (RPA Small Grants, UoG) 2021-2022: Shared vision for urban greening (UCL & Net Zero Innovation Programme) His scholarly output spans 2014-2025, focusing on nature-based urban regeneration aligned with SDG 11. He serves as Associate Editor for Urban Agriculture and Regional Food Systems and sits on editorial boards of Urban Planning, Discovering Cities, and Urban Resilience and Sustainability. Professional memberships include IFLA, ICOMOS-IFLA, and IUCN CEM.
Kylie King is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University and affiliated with the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health. She joined Monash University in November 2019 as an Impact Fellow and transitioned to her current Senior Lecturer role in February 2023, where she focuses on fostering research connections with industry, community, and people with lived experience. Her educational background includes a Doctor of Psychology from Deakin University (2001) and a PhD completed in early 2020 focusing on suicide prevention. Prior to joining Monash, she worked as a psychologist specializing in addictions and spent ten years (2009-2019) as a Research Fellow at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at the University of Melbourne. Dr. King's research primarily centers on suicide prevention, with particular emphasis on males and communities experiencing disproportionate suicide rates. Her work integrates program evaluation methodologies to develop targeted interventions and suicide prevention education. She leads research teams focused on creating evidence-based approaches to address mental health challenges in vulnerable populations. Her research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and wellbeing. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on gender-specific suicide prevention, particularly for men and older males, as well as attention to culturally specific approaches for Indigenous communities. Her work bridges clinical psychology with public health interventions, examining how societal factors, occupational environments, and cultural contexts influence mental health outcomes and suicide risk. Associate Editor, Australian Psychologist Journal (2020-present) Associate Editor, Australian Psychologist Journal (2021-present) Guest Editor, Frontiers in Public Health (2020) Dr. King is actively involved in peer review responsibilities and currently leads significant research projects including "Preventing suicide in boys and men" (2020-2026), "Formative evaluation of suicide prevention gatekeeper training for aged care workers" (2023-2025), and "Zest – A personalised, digital intervention for sleep and wellbeing in Australian shift workers" (2023-2026). She is accepting PhD students for research supervision through Monash University's Supervisor Connect platform. Her research team operates at the intersection of clinical psychology and public health, developing evidence-based interventions for vulnerable populations with strong emphasis on community-centered approaches and collaboration with individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges.
Professor Thomas Astell-Burt is a Professor of Cities and Planetary Health at the University of Sydney's School of Architecture, Design and Planning. His work focuses on the intersection of urban environments, green spaces, and public health. He is a member of the Sydney Environment Institute and the Charles Perkins Centre. His research examines how urban planning and green infrastructure can mitigate health inequities, combat climate change, and improve mental/cardiometabolic health. Key areas include nature prescriptions, heat-related mortality, and the role of green spaces in reducing loneliness. Recent grants include projects on aged care workforce sustainability, nature-based strategies for loneliness reduction, and the PANDA Trial for cardiometabolic disease prevention. Over 180+ publications span peer-reviewed journals like Scientific Reports , Climate , and PloS One , with a focus on global health trends and urban environmental policies. His work bridges epidemiology, urban design, and interdisciplinary collaboration to inform evidence-based health policies. Key affiliations include leadership roles in global health initiatives and collaborations with institutions like the University of Glasgow. His research has been cited in policy frameworks addressing urban sustainability and planetary health.
Narelle Lemon is a Professor of Education and Vice Chancellor’s Professorial Research Fellow at Edith Cowan University , affiliated with the School of Education . She previously served as Associate Dean (Education) at Swinburne University of Technology. Her research areas include: Wellbeing literacy for educators and students Creative research methods (poetry, visual narratives) Digital literacy in academic contexts Pedagogy of Belonging framework Positive psychology applications Recent publications focus on: Self-care practices during pandemic Time as a wellbeing resource Academic collaboration through creative methods Teacher resilience and institutional care Notable awards: 2021 Citizenship Award (Swinburne) 2020 AUUT National Teaching Citation 2018 VC Team Award for Diversity & Inclusion Multiple early/mid-career research recognitions She supervises PhD students in topics like: Autistic student voice in education Academic staff capabilities in Communities of Practice Gender equity in decision-making Connect via email , ORCID , or @rellypops on social media. Her podcast Teachers Supporting Teachers is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify .
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.
Ingebjorg Kristoffersen is a Lecturer in the Department of Economics at the UWA Business School, The University of Western Australia. She holds a PhD in Economics from UWA and a Master of Business (Finance) from Edith Cowan University. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy since 2021, she specializes in applied microeconomics focusing on economic psychology, wellbeing, and gender issues. Her research explores how values, perceptions, and emotions influence economic behavior, particularly in areas like health, financial literacy, and gender roles. She has published in journals such as Journal of Economic Psychology and Health Promotion International . Currently, she teaches Microeconomics and research methods courses and serves as Undergraduate Coordinator for Economics. Dr. Kristoffersen contributes to initiatives like the National Indigenous Business Summer School and actively reviews for top academic journals. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to education and gender equality.
