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Dr. Louise Alexander is an Associate Professor in Mental Health Nursing at Deakin University's School of Nursing & Midwifery (Faculty of Health). She holds prior academic roles including Senior Lecturer (ACU, 2018–2023) and Lecturer positions (ACU and Holmesglen Institute). Her research focuses on mental health nursing workforce sustainability, stigma reduction, simulation-based education, and curriculum development. Key interests include nurse resilience, pandemic impacts on healthcare workers, and improving student attitudes towards mental illness. Education: PhD from Deakin University; GCHE qualification Certifications: University of Melbourne's Emerging Leaders & Management Program (2021–2022) Teaching: Leads courses in forensic mental health, therapeutic communication, and health promotion Research Highlights: Recent work examines pandemic trauma among nurses, alcohol consumption trends post-COVID, and leadership's role in workforce retention. Her studies emphasize qualitative methods and integrative reviews to address systemic challenges in mental health nursing education and practice. Awards/Grants: No explicit awards listed; research supported by institutional collaborations. Active in developing transition-to-practice programs and evaluating simulation-based training efficacy. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on mental health workforce resilience and stigma reduction initiatives. Engages in national and international nursing education networks.

• Mental Health Nursing
• Mental Health Stigma
• Workforce Sustainability
• +4 more

Associate Professor Nicole Hartley serves as MBA Director at UQ Business School and Future of Health Research Hub Lead at The University of Queensland. With 19 years of academic experience across institutions in Sydney and Queensland, she holds appointments across multiple faculties including Business, Economics and Law; Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences; and Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology. Her academic affiliations span the Centre for the Business and Economics of Health, Centre for Enterprise AI, and Queensland Digital Health Centre. Dr. Hartley is an internationally recognized research academic specializing in services marketing and digital technology. Her research interests encompass service technology, virtualized services, customer preference and adoption, new media, service innovation, and corporate digital responsibility. She particularly focuses on customer perceptions in response to technological disruption in service delivery, with special emphasis on healthcare services. Her work bridges business, technology, and healthcare domains, examining how digital transformation affects consumer behavior and service experiences. Her extensive publication record demonstrates consistent research output across multiple disciplines, with recent work concentrating on telehealth implementation, corporate digital responsibility, consumer trust in digital environments, and healthcare service innovation. The interdisciplinary nature of her research connects marketing theory with practical healthcare applications, particularly in the context of digital transformation and service delivery. Dr. Hartley has successfully supervised numerous PhD candidates to completion and currently mentors several doctoral students working on topics ranging from sustainable consumption to healthcare innovation and digital service experiences. Her research has been supported by significant funding from Queensland Health, NHMRC, and other organizations, focusing on telehealth, digital service transformation, and healthcare innovation. As Director of MBA and Executive Education at UQ Business School, Dr. Hartley combines her academic expertise with practical industry experience, having previously worked as Marketing Manager/Director in tourism, education, and communication industries in Australia and the UK. She is an award-winning educator with expertise in marketing strategy, digital media, consumer behavior, and experiential industry-based projects.

• Services marketing
• Digital technology
• Service technology
• +8 more

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.

• Customer Experience Management
• Service Innovation
• Digital Transformation
• +5 more

Dr. Alicia Kulczynski is an Associate Professor of Marketing and Head of the Marketing, Tourism & Business Analytics Discipline at the University of Newcastle. She holds a PhD in Management (Marketing) and undergraduate degrees in Forensic Science and Communication Studies. Her research focuses on consumer behavior, branding, and advertising, with emphasis on spokesperson characteristics, psycholinguistics in branding, and music concert attendance. She has published in top-tier journals like the Journal of Marketing and European Journal of Marketing, and was recognized as Associate Editor of the Year (2024) for the Journal of Consumer Behaviour. Her work bridges academia and industry through collaborations with organizations such as the NSW Ombudsman and Ultra Music Festival. Education - PhD in Management (Marketing), University of Newcastle (2014) - Bachelor of Science (Forensic), University of Newcastle - Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies), University of Newcastle Research Interests - Consumer behavior and decision-making - Branding and brand communication - Advertising strategies and spokesperson effectiveness - Psycholinguistics in brand naming and consumer priming - Music concert attendee behavior and motivations - Cause-related marketing and social impact initiatives Awards - Associate Editor of the Year (2024) - Multiple Best Paper Awards at ANZMAC (2015–2024) - Teaching Excellence Awards (2016–2024) - Industry Collaboration Recognition (e.g., Ultra Music Festival) Grants & Industry Work - Partnered with NSW Ombudsman to develop AI tools for complaint assistance. - Established an Industry Consultative Committee with Pacific Smiles, Newcastle Airport, and HMRI. - Collaborated on diabetes management system market research with a Swedish SME. Teaching & Mentorship - Teaches marketing research courses with industry-linked projects. - Supervised PhD students on topics like AI-driven pricing, post-purchase dissonance, and omnichannel consumer experiences. - Guided students to publish in top journals such as the Journal of Consumer Behaviour and European Journal of Marketing. Labs & Teams - Leads the Marketing, Tourism & Business Analytics Discipline. - Co-founded the Social Marketing Research Team for Youth (SMRTY) initiative.

• Consumer Behaviour
• Branding and Brand Elements
• Advertising
• +5 more

Dr. Robin Laycock is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences at RMIT University. He leads the Social and Cognitive Neuroscience (SoCoNeuro) Lab, focusing on behavioral and neural mechanisms of social perception in neurotypical and neurodivergent populations, including autism spectrum disorders and the neurocognitive effects of concussion. His research integrates methodologies such as eye-tracking, EEG, and fNIRS to study visual perception, face processing, and the impact of stress/anxiety on cognition. Dr. Laycock holds a PhD from La Trobe University, where he investigated visual processing pathways. His work also includes the BabyFace study, exploring social perception in pre-term infants using fNIRS. He is affiliated with RMIT’s Healthy Foundations Research Group and supervises research projects on topics like concussion neurocognition and social media’s neurobiological effects. Research interests span visual neuroscience, social neuroscience, and clinical applications of neuroimaging. He teaches undergraduate courses in Biological Psychology and supervises postgraduate research in vision science, neuropsychology, and affective neuroscience. His lab’s recent studies examine sex differences in sports-related concussion neuroimaging and the role of deepfakes in emotion perception research. He actively collaborates on projects addressing autism traits, stress effects on visual processing, and neuroimaging advancements.

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Visual Neuroscience
• Social Perception
• +4 more

Steve Worthington is an Adjunct Professor at Swinburne University of Technology's School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship in Melbourne, Australia. Previously, he held a Professorship in Marketing at Monash University until 2013. His research focuses on financial services distribution via electronic channels, payment systems regulation, and cross-cultural financial practices. He has contributed extensively to academic journals such as the International Journal of Bank Marketing and practitioner outlets like The Financial Times and ANZ's BlueNotes . His work includes analyses of payment card markets in China and Japan, regulatory interventions in Australia's payment system, and expert testimony on financial services marketing disputes. Worthington's research interests span payment systems innovation, consumer behavior in financial contexts, and the intersection of technology with financial services. Notable contributions include studies on cashless society debates, payment fraud dynamics, and the cultural dimensions influencing financial product adoption. He frequently engages with industry conferences and media, offering insights into emerging trends like digital payment adoption and regulatory challenges in the financial sector. His publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, blending economic policy analysis with marketing strategy. Key themes include the societal implications of cash decline, fairness perceptions in financial services, and the ethical dimensions of payment technologies. Despite no explicit awards listed, his prolific media engagement and advisory roles reflect recognition of his expertise in payment systems and financial markets.

• Financial Services Marketing
• Payment Systems
• Regulatory Policy
• +5 more

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.

• Clinical Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Substance Use Disorders
• +9 more

Nick Abel is an Honorary Associate Professor at the Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University. With a distinguished international career spanning Africa and Australia, he has worked in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ethiopia, Botswana, Somalia, Swaziland, Zambia, and Australia. His academic credentials include a Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.Sc.(Hons.), reflecting a strong foundation in environmental sciences and complex systems thinking. Abel's research program centers on the critical challenge of human adaptation to climate change, with particular focus on why adaptation efforts are insufficient to prevent environmental and social tipping points. He critically examines Australia's role as the world's third largest exporter of fossil fuels while facing escalating climate impacts, investigating how fossil fuel companies have maintained influence over public policy. His work integrates social-ecological systems theory, resilience thinking, and practical governance frameworks to address climate adaptation challenges. His publication record demonstrates a clear evolution from foundational work in rangeland management and complex adaptive systems toward urgent climate policy interventions. Early research established theoretical frameworks for understanding resilience in dryland ecosystems, while recent work focuses on transformation pathways, Indigenous engagement, and community-based adaptation strategies. A consistent thread throughout his career is the integration of diverse knowledge systems and the development of practical approaches for environmental governance in rapidly changing conditions. Abel has registered to supervise research students at ANU and participates in significant collaborative projects, including the current 'Partnering with local communities in regional Australia to increase resilience to flood events' (2022-2025). His high-impact publications, including the highly cited 'Resilience management in social-ecological systems' (1,120 Scopus citations) and 'From Metaphor to Measurement: Resilience of What to What?' (2,596 Scopus citations), demonstrate his foundational contributions to the field. Through his work with various research groups and projects, Abel has helped establish frameworks for understanding social-ecological systems and climate adaptation. His contributions to the Fenner School include advancing methodologies for integrating scientific and Indigenous knowledge systems, developing practical approaches to environmental governance, and critically examining the political economy of climate policy in Australia.

• Climate Change
• Social-Ecological Systems
• Rangeland Management
• +4 more

Dr. Divya Jayakumar Nair serves as Senior Lecturer in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where she also holds the position of Associate Dean International – South Asia for UNSW Engineering. Her academic work is centered at the Research Centre for Integrated Transport Innovation (rCITI), focusing on transportation systems, network optimization, and disaster management applications. Dr. Nair's research interests span transportation engineering, disaster management, and urban mobility systems. Her work investigates complex network design problems, particularly in pre-disaster evacuation planning, transportation resilience, and food rescue logistics. She employs advanced analytical methods including traffic equilibrium modeling, network optimization techniques, and data-driven approaches to solve real-world transportation challenges with significant societal impact. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on transportation resilience during disasters, with particular attention to equity considerations in pre-event planning. Dr. Nair's research shows how transportation networks can be optimized to improve emergency response while ensuring equitable access to safety for all population segments. Her work bridges theoretical network optimization with practical applications in urban environments facing climate-related challenges. Dr. Nair collaborates extensively with leading researchers in transportation including S. Travis Waller, Vinay V. Dixit, David Rey, and Taha Rashidi. Her collaborative approach spans multiple institutions and addresses pressing challenges in urban transportation systems worldwide.

• Transportation Engineering
• Disaster Management
• Network Design and Optimization
• +4 more

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.

• Police & Policing
• Community Safety & Crime Prevention
• Prisons, Probation & Parole Policy & Practice
• +5 more

Professor Jun Zhang is a leading academic in cybersecurity at Swinburne University, Australia, where he directs the Cybersecurity Lab. He has been honored as Australia's top cybersecurity researcher and instrumental in establishing Swinburne as a globally recognized cybersecurity research institution. His work includes high-impact papers and multi-million-dollar R&D projects, culminating in awards like the 2021 'Top Cybersecurity Research Institution' accolade. As course director of the Bachelor of Cyber Security, he pioneered an industry-driven teaching model with Deloitte and CSIRO, significantly boosting course enrollment. His collaborations extend to Adobe's Curriculum Innovation Program and the Australian P-TECH initiative, promoting STEM education and cybersecurity awareness. He supervises doctoral candidates and leads grants focused on AI-driven cybersecurity, smart home security, and blockchain-based edge computing. His research spans vulnerability detection, GAN forensics, IoT security, and privacy preservation in OSNs. Research interests include cybersecurity fundamentals, data science applications, and distributed systems. Notable achievements include the PTFix framework for Java vulnerabilities, the IoTFuzz smart home testing system, and CTI mining methodologies. Awards reflect his mid-career research excellence and industry partnerships. His grants with CSIRO and defense organizations emphasize real-world impact, addressing challenges from malware detection to adversarial machine learning. The Cybersecurity Lab and collaborative projects like Artchain demonstrate his commitment to bridging academia and industry. Professional activities include supervising over 20 HDR students and securing grants totaling millions. His work on blockchain-based edge storage (CSEdge) and SDCCP congestion control highlights innovation in networking. Future directions include advancing AI for design collaboration with CSIRO and enhancing privacy in smart energy technologies. His contributions span technical, educational, and community outreach domains, positioning him as a pivotal figure in cybersecurity's evolution.

• Cybersecurity and Privacy
• Data Management and Data Science
• Distributed Computing and Systems Software

Prof. Maureen Taylor is a Visiting Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), School of Communication, specializing in strategic communication and public relations. She holds a PhD from Purdue University and previously served as Director of the University of Tennessee’s School of Advertising and Public Relations and as the Gayford Family Chair at the University of Oklahoma. Her research focuses on public relations theory, dialogue, disaster resilience, and digital media impact. Taylor chairs the Public Relations Review journal and has authored over 70 articles and multiple books. She is a Pathfinder Award recipient (2010) and an ICA Fellow (2018). Supervision is available for Masters and PhD students in strategic communication. Education: PhD in Communication, Purdue University (1996). Research Interests: Nation building, civil society engagement, crisis communication, and media’s role in divided societies. Recent work includes frameworks for community disaster resilience and digital media’s cultural impact in post-Soviet regions. Funded Projects: Includes WHO-funded studies on health communication evaluation and Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC-funded community preparedness models. Grants focus on measurement of government communications and pandemic response strategies. Current projects explore dialogic engagement architectures in social media. Awards: Pathfinder Award (2010), ICA Fellowship (2018). Grants & Collaborations: Over 10 funded projects since 2018, including evaluations of NSW government advertising and WHO’s Western Pacific Region campaigns.

• Public Relations
• Strategic Communication
• Disaster Resilience
• +5 more

Professor Heiko Spallek is Head of School and Dean at the University of Sydney’s Sydney Dental School, leading the school’s integration with the Faculty of Medicine and Health. He also serves as Academic Lead for Digital Health and Health Service Informatics at the faculty level. His research focuses on advancing dental informatics, teledentistry, and evidence-based practice, while advocating for improved oral health policy and public health initiatives. He holds roles including director at Community Connections Australia and membership in the Charles Perkins Centre. Education: DMD, Dr. med. dent., MSBA(CIS), FACD, FAIDH Leadership: Oversees Sydney Dental School’s academic and clinical programs, emphasizing interprofessional education and digital health innovation. Research interests include leveraging big data and machine learning in dentistry, improving access to oral healthcare through teledentistry, and addressing systemic issues in dental education and policy. He has led projects on laser dentistry applications, dental caries prevention, and healthcare workforce regulation. Notable contributions include the OpenWide conference series, the BigMouth dental data repository, and advocacy for equitable dental funding in Australia. Grants include initiatives on oral hygiene in aged care and analysis of healthcare advertising perceptions. Media engagements highlight his role in public discourse on dental access and policy, including commentary on Australia’s dental crisis and aged care reforms. He actively promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through platforms like the Dental Informatics Online Community. Labs/Teams: Directs the Sydney Dental School’s research programs in informatics and public health, collaborating with national and international networks such as the National Dental PBRN.

• Dental Informatics
• Teledentistry
• Oral Health Policy
• +4 more

Dr. Omkar Prabhakar Dastane is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Postgraduate Studies at the Malaysia School of Business, Monash University Malaysia. He holds a PhD in Business from Curtin University and certifications including Certified Management and Business Educator (CMBE) from CABS, UK, and HRDF-approved trainer status in Malaysia. His research focuses on technological impacts on businesses, digital consumer behavior, and customer value perception, with publications in A-ranked journals like the Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services and Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing & Logistics . He has secured MYR 157,549 in research grants and received notable awards like the Best Paper Awards (2017/2018) and Emerald Literati Award (2024). Dr. Dastane has held leadership roles including Head of MBA Programs and Head of Postgraduate Studies at top-tier institutions. He actively contributes to editorial roles for journals like Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research and reviews for SSCI/SCIE-indexed publications. His teaching emphasizes strategic branding and services marketing, integrating AR/VR tools for immersive learning. He has also led educational visits across ASEAN countries. His research interests span metaverse applications in business, immersive technologies, and contemporary consumer behavior trends. Recent work explores AI-driven services, live-stream commerce, and digital transformation's role in achieving UN SDGs. He has advised on over 200 research projects and secured multiple teaching grants including the 2025 Learning & Teaching Grant.

• Technological Influence on Businesses
• Digital Consumer Behaviour
• Customer Value Perception
• +5 more

Associate Professor Sam Kirshner is a faculty member at the University of New South Wales within the School of Information Systems and Technology Management . His research focuses on behavioral decision making , algorithmic impact on operations , and artificial intelligence applications in business contexts. PhD in Management Science from Queen’s University, Canada Teaching expertise in data visualization, predictive analytics, and AI ethics Co-author of Business Analytics: A Management Approach Member of the Ethical AI Advisory His research explores how psychological distance and construal level theory influence decisions in supply chains, technology management, and consumer behavior. Recent work examines ChatGPT's decision biases , algorithm aversion , and sustainable operations under financial constraints. Key publication trends show focus areas: AI ethics and human-AI collaboration Behavioral supply chain analysis Temporal/spatial psychological distance effects CO2 forecasting with sparse data Consumer behavior in digital platforms Virtual reality and cognitive processing Supervision roles include mentoring 2 PhD students and 6 honors students, contributing to the next generation of scholars in business analytics and technology management.

• Behavioral Decision Making
• Operations Management
• Technology Management
• +6 more