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Associate Professor Mohsen Kalantari is a Geospatial Engineering academic at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) School of Civil and Environmental Engineering , with concurrent roles as co-founder of the startup Faramoon . His career spans roles at the University of Melbourne's Department of Infrastructure Engineering and Victorian government's land administration initiatives through DELWP. Education : PhD in Geomatics Engineering (2008, University of Melbourne), Master of GIS Engineering (2004), Bachelor of Surveying Engineering (2001) His research bridges geospatial engineering with construction automation , focusing on 3D cadastre , BIM-GIS integration , and smart cities . Recent publications show trends in underground land administration , digital twins , and LADM standard implementations . Scientific Awards : National educational recognition (2019), Victorian educational grants (2018), and prestigious fellowships (2012) As a supervisor , he guides PhD candidates in topics ranging from BIM for waste management to underground cadastral systems . His industry engagement includes partnerships with the United Nations , Open Geospatial Consortium , and Singapore Land Authority .

• Geospatial Engineering
• Construction Engineering
• Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• +7 more

Dr. Alireza Nili is a Senior Lecturer in Service Science at QUT's School of Information Systems within the Faculty of Science. His expertise spans digitization of customer-centric services, AI/chatbots, IoT/IIoT, and sustainable technologies. He holds a PhD from Victoria University of Wellington and has coordinated large-scale courses like IT Systems Design (IFB103), achieving top teaching scores. Nili's research focuses on service ecosystems, trust in digital services, and public/retail sector innovations. He has secured over $1.4M in industry grants for projects involving Cisco, Amazon, and Services Australia. His awards include the 2023 Educator of the Year and multiple top conference paper recognitions. Nili supervises PhD students at Level 3 mentoring status and contributes to major conferences as track chair/associate editor. Research highlights include frameworks for chatbot governance, IOT in agriculture, and AI ethics. His work appears in IEEE Software , Communications of the ACM , and MIT Sloan Management Review . Current projects address consumer trust in AI technologies and spatial data systems. Nili's interdisciplinary approach combines design science with empirical methodologies to bridge theory and practice in digital service innovation.

• Service Science
• Digital Services
• Artificial Intelligence (Chatbots)
• +7 more

Dr. Cathy Oke OAM is an Associate Professor and Melbourne Enterprise Principal Fellow in Informed Cities at the Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne. She serves as Director of the Melbourne Centre for Cities and holds roles as a Senior Advisor to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. Her work bridges research, policy, and practice to advance nature and climate action in urban environments. Previously, she served as a Councillor for the City of Melbourne (2008–2020) and contributed to the Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub (CAUL) as a Knowledge Broker. Cathy holds a PhD in Genetics and over 20 years of experience in environmental communications and project management. Her research focuses on urban sustainability, climate resilience, and nature-based solutions. Key initiatives include Innovate4Cities, which drives city-led climate innovation, and projects on urban biodiversity restoration. Cathy’s work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of scientific evidence into actionable policies. Educations: PhD in Genetics RMIT University affiliation as a former research fellow Awards: 2023 Order of Australia Medal for service to Local Government and the Environment Her articles highlight themes such as urban climate governance, nature-based solutions, and global city networks. She collaborates with international bodies to enhance city diplomacy and accelerate climate action. Cathy leads the Melbourne Centre for Cities, a hub for urban research and policy engagement.

• Urban Planning
• Climate Action
• Sustainability
• +3 more

Kees Dorst is a Professor of Transdisciplinary Innovation at the TD School of the University of Technology Sydney. He bridges philosophical understandings of design with practical applications, focusing on tackling complex societal challenges through designerly thinking. His research develops methodologies for strategic transformation and networked problem-solving in public sectors. Professor of Transdisciplinary Innovation, UTS Director, Designing Out Crime Research Centre International keynote speaker and advisor on design thinking Research Interests Dorst specializes in: Transdisciplinary innovation for societal challenges Design thinking and co-evolutionary processes Reframing complex problems in public policy Design cognition and metacognition Urban environment design for safety Recent Research Trends show increasing focus on: Hypercomplex problem-solving frameworks Strategic transformation through design Cognitive models in design processes Public sector innovation methodologies Teaching & Leadership includes: Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation Master of Creative Intelligence and Strategic Innovation Founding the Designing Out Crime Research Centre International design research symposium leadership

• Transdisciplinary Innovation
• Design Thinking
• Strategic Transformation
• +4 more

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.

• Urban Green Infrastructure
• Nature-Based Solutions
• Urban Ecosystem Services
• +6 more

Professor Paul A. Raschky is affiliated with the Department of Economics at Monash University , where he also directs the SoDa Labs and co-founded the KASPR Datahaus PTY LTD and IP Observatory . His academic focus spans Political Economy , Environmental Economics , Insurance Economics , and Development Economics , with a specialization in natural hazards and data science applications. Education: PhD (University of Innsbruck, 2008), with a postdoctoral research visit at the Wharton School . Research: Explores intersections of disaster risk , governance , and economic development , leveraging machine learning and big data . Recent Publications: Focus on generative AI productivity , ethnic favoritism , disaster insurance , and conflict economics . Awards: Recipient of the ABDC Award for Innovation and Excellence in Research (2022) and Dean’s Excellence in Research Award (2016) . Projects: Leads initiatives on internet suppression in Myanmar , news media availability , and AI-driven policy insights in South-East Asia and the Pacific. Future Work: Will be on sabbatical in 2025 , likely expanding on AI applications and disaster resilience .

• Political Economy
• Environmental Economics
• Insurance Economics
• +5 more

Dr. Prabhasri Herath is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Australian National University (ANU) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), affiliated with the Institute for Climate, Energy, and Disaster Solutions (ICEDS). Her research focuses on Nature-based Solutions (NbS), urban heat mitigation, and flood resilience, with expertise in green infrastructure and sustainable city planning. She holds a PhD from the Fenner School of Environment and Society (ANU) and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Green Technology. Her work bridges climate adaptation, urban ecology, and disaster resilience, contributing to global projects on NbS for flood mitigation in large Australian catchments. Education: PhD in Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences, Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU B.Sc. (Hons) in Green Technology Research Interests: Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies Urban heat islands and extreme heatwave mitigation Nature-based flood mitigation in catchments Green infrastructure design for sustainable cities Her recent publications emphasize the role of urban green spaces in mitigating extreme heat and the feasibility of NbS for flood management. She collaborates with experts like Associate Professor Roslyn Prinsley and Dr. Jai Vaze on ANU-CSIRO projects. While no formal awards are listed, her work has been widely cited in environmental science and urban planning domains. Collaborations: Visiting Scientist at CSIRO since July 2023 Partnerships with ANU’s Fenner School and ICEDS Her research lab is embedded within ICEDS, focusing on interdisciplinary climate solutions.

• Climate change adaptation
• Climate change mitigation
• Nature-based Solutions
• +5 more

Professor Dieter Hochuli leads the Integrative Ecology research group in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney. His research focuses on biodiversity conservation in urban environments, with particular emphasis on arthropod ecology, habitat management, and the ecological dynamics of human-dominated landscapes. His work bridges community ecology and landscape-scale conservation strategies. Research interests center on urban biodiversity conservation, insect-plant interactions, ecosystem function in modified environments, and the ecological impacts of invasive species. Current projects examine how urban planning decisions affect biodiversity, the role of green infrastructure in supporting ecosystem services, and human-wildlife interactions in urban fringes. Analysis of recent publications reveals consistent themes: urban pollinator ecology, wildlife disease ecology at the urban interface, experimental approaches to urban green space management, and biodiversity responses to urbanization. His work integrates ecological theory with practical conservation applications. Professor Hochuli leads field-based ecology projects across Sydney's urban environments and collaborates with local councils on biodiversity mapping initiatives. He currently supervises graduate students researching urban arthropod communities, wildlife conservation, and ecosystem restoration.

• Urban Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Insect-Plant Interactions
• +3 more

Professor Mostafa Rasoolimanesh is a Vice-Chancellor Professorial Research Fellow and Professor of Sustainable Tourism at Edith Cowan University's School of Business and Law. With 25 years of academic and 10 years of non-academic experience in local government, he specializes in sustainable tourism, heritage tourism, and community development. His research bridges theory and practice, focusing on methodologies like PLS-SEM and fsQCA. He has authored over 150 publications in top-tier journals and serves on editorial boards for leading tourism journals. His research interests span sustainable destination governance, community participation, and tourism policy. Awards include being ranked top 2% globally in tourism sciences (2022-2023) and Taylor’s University’s Most Cited Academic Award (2023). He leads projects like the Sustainable Tourism Index for urban destinations and advises on UNESCO World Heritage Sites. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to urban sustainability and heritage management.

• Sustainable Tourism
• Heritage Tourism
• Tourism Consumer Behavior
• +3 more

Dr Bhishna Bajracharya is an Associate Professor of Urban Planning at Bond University's Faculty of Society & Design. He previously taught at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) for over 12 years and worked as a post-doctoral fellow at the Australian National University. His research focuses on urban sustainability, disaster resilience, and master-planned communities. Education: PhD in Urban Planning, University of Hawaii (200?) MURP in Urban Planning, University of Hawaii BArch in Architecture, Delhi University Research Interests: Smart cities and infrastructure Disaster management and community resilience Transit-oriented development Climate change adaptation Sustainable campus design Knowledge-based regional economies Recent Research Trends: His recent work emphasizes cross-border planning (e.g., Gold Coast Airport integration), megaproject governance, and innovative disaster management frameworks. He frequently collaborates with governments and NGOs to bridge research and policy gaps. Awards & Grants: Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant for community narratives in urban planning Emergency Queensland grant for disaster governance research Advising & Partnerships: Supervising PhD students in urban planning Collaborations with QUT's Creative Industries faculty Member of Bond University's Sustainability Committee Labs & Teams: Affiliated with the Centre for Comparative Construction Research at Bond University, focusing on global urban challenges.

• Urban Planning
• Disaster Management
• Master Planned Communities
• +5 more

Associate Professor Elaine Jing Zhao is based at the School of the Arts and Media , University of New South Wales , with expertise in digital media economies, cultural production, and platform governance in transitional China and the Asia-Pacific region. She authored the monograph Digital China's Informal Circuits: Platforms, Labour and Governance and publishes in journals like New Media and Society and Global Media and Communication . Research Focus: Cultural implications of digital platforms, media globalization, and creative labor dynamics Editorial Roles: Board member, Communication Research and Practice ; reviewer for ARC grants and international journals Her research portfolio emphasizes platform governance , digital media policy , and cultural innovation in China's digital economy. Recent projects examine China's platform internationalization and informal media economies. She supervises PhD candidates in these areas and has secured funding from both Australian Research Council and National Social Science Foundation of China . Scientific Awards: 2020 Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences Dean's Research Award for Best Monograph 2018 ARC Kathleen Fitzpatrick Laureate Fellowship Mentoring Scheme Award 2012 Australia-China Youth Dialogue Delegate 2010 Oxford Internet Institute Summer Doctoral Programme Participant She contributes to digital China scholarship through the Anthem book series and previously worked in the telecom and mobile internet industry before her academic career. Her work bridges sociocultural analysis and platform economy research.

• Communication and Media Studies
• Communication Technology and Digital Media Studies
• Film, Television and Digital Media
• +6 more

Professor James Watson is a leading conservation scientist and biogeographer at The University of Queensland , affiliated with the Centre for Marine Science and Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science. As a Professor of Conservation Science, he specializes in biodiversity policy, climate change impacts, and species recovery strategies. PhD from University of Oxford (Rhodes Scholar) Co-leader of Green Fire Science and RARES research groups Over 400 peer-reviewed publications His research focuses on ecosystem integrity , protected area effectiveness , and conservation economics , with recent work addressing mining impacts on biodiversity, climate change adaptation, and the global 30x30 initiative. He advocates for evidence-based strategies to save Australia’s rarest species. 2025-2024 research trends show expertise in tropical forest regeneration, climate-species interactions, and policy implementation gaps. Collaborative projects span scientific modeling , GIS analysis , and international conservation frameworks . International Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Task Force member Research Fellow, United Nations Environment Program Senior Technical Expert, UNDP’s Nature for Development Program Founding Chair, IUCN Climate Change Specialist Group Supervision includes 12 current PhD candidates working on topics such as night parrot conservation , ecological corridors , and urban biodiversity . Completed students have addressed threatened species recovery and climate adaptation planning . He leads lab teams at Green Fire Science (www.greenfirescience.com) and RARES (https://raresgroup.com.au), focusing on applied conservation solutions.

• Conservation Biology
• Biodiversity Policy
• Climate Change Impact Assessment
• +4 more

Professor Sarah Bekessy is a leading interdisciplinary conservation scientist at RMIT University's School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS). She leads the ICON Science research group, focusing on urban biodiversity conservation, human behavior in conservation, and nature-positive urban design. Her work integrates ecological modeling, social sciences, and policy to address biodiversity challenges. She holds an ARC Future Fellowship (2014-2020) and has secured over AUD 12 million in research funding. Her research interests include biodiversity-sensitive urban design (BSUD), conservation psychology, and spatial conservation planning. Key contributions include the BSUD protocol adopted by governments and developers worldwide, and co-developing methodologies for the UN Cities with Nature program. She advises organizations such as WWF, Bush Heritage Australia, and the Living Building Challenge. Prof. Bekessy has authored highly cited papers (H-index 50) in journals like Conservation Biology and Nature Communications. Awards include the RMIT Media Star Award (2022/23) and the City of Melbourne Design Challenge (2020). She is engaged in teaching, supervising 8 postdocs and 8 postgraduates, and actively contributes to conservation policy through roles like Lead Councillor of The Biodiversity Council. Her research spans urban ecology, threatened species management, and environmental decision-making, with a focus on bridging science and practice. Recent projects include investigating nature-based solutions for loneliness reduction and sustainable coffee systems. She emphasizes 'everyday nature' experiences in cities and advocates for measurable 'nature-positive' development frameworks.

• Biodiversity Conservation
• Urban Ecology
• Environmental Decision Making
• +3 more

Dr. Gowri Sankar Ramachandran is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Information Systems at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), specializing in cybersecurity and distributed systems. She holds a PhD from KU Leuven (Belgium) and a postdoctoral position at the University of Southern California (USC). Her research focuses on open-source software security, runtime threat detection, blockchain applications, and IoT vulnerabilities. Notable contributions include the FUSE tool for detecting malicious packages and the discovery of hyperlink hijacking vulnerabilities affecting millions of domains. Research interests span software supply chain security, metadata-based risk analysis, and generative AI for cyber risk modeling. Awards include Best Paper Awards at ACM CBSE (2016), Mobiquitous (2017), and BigMM (2019). Collaborations include projects with CSIRO, the City of Los Angeles, and the University of São Paulo. She teaches courses on cybersecurity, database management, and network security, and actively supervises PhD students in cybersecurity and blockchain domains. Recent publications address blockchain-based data governance, quantum-resilient IoT protocols, and decentralized identity systems. Her work bridges academic research with real-world impact, addressing critical challenges in digital systems security and privacy.

• Cybersecurity
• Data Security and Privacy
• GRC (Governance, Risk, Compliance)
• +6 more

Associate Professor Margaret Grose is an academic at the University of Melbourne's Melbourne School of Design, specialising in Landscape Architecture. She holds an Associate Professorship and teaches ecological design principles in the Masters of Landscape Architecture and Bachelor of Environments programs. Her work bridges design and ecological science, with a focus on urban ecosystems, water management, and cultural landscapes. Education: Grose began in Agricultural Science (soils/water processes), completed a PhD in ecophysiology of Australian plants, followed by postdoctoral research at Oxford University and the University of Cambridge’s Mathematical Biology group. She later trained in Landscape Architecture and practiced as an environmental scientist in urban design projects. Research interests include integrating ecological science into design, the role of historical ecological knowledge in contemporary design, and urban water systems. Her recent Universitas 21 Fellowship explores teaching ecology to built environment students globally. Publications span topics like urban forestry in China, dryland river parks, and impacts of artificial light on ecosystems. She has received the 2011 Faculty Teaching Award for Excellence in the Masters program. Supervision focuses on river design, urban waterways, ecological planting resilience, and design of public spaces in Mediterranean climates. She collaborates on interdisciplinary projects combining ecology, urban planning, and cultural heritage.

• Ecological Design
• Urban Ecology
• Sustainable Landscapes
• +4 more