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Zuleyha Keskin serves as Associate Professor and Associate Head of School at the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation (CISAC) at Charles Sturt University, where she co-founded ISRA Australia in 2009 leading to CISAC's establishment. She has directed multiple Islamic studies programs since 2010 including Bachelor and Master degrees, and currently teaches courses on Islamic spirituality and contemporary Islamic studies. Keskin also serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Australian Journal of Islamic Studies and Vice President of the Australian Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies. Her educational background includes: Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) from University of Sydney Master of Arts (MA) from University of Sydney PhD from Australian Catholic University Keskin's research centers on Islamic spirituality, inner peace, and Islamic psycho-spirituality, with significant contributions to understanding Bediuzzaman Said Nursi's works. Her scholarship bridges traditional Islamic thought with contemporary psychological frameworks, examining how Islamic spiritual practices contribute to mental wellbeing. She has published extensively on Islamic theology and ethics, social justice, and women in Islam, making substantial contributions to Australian Islamic studies. Analysis of her publication record reveals a clear trajectory from foundational work on Said Nursi's perspectives toward increasingly applied research in Islamic psychology and contemporary social challenges. Her recent work explores intersections between Islamic thought and modern issues including risk management, environmental protection, and mental health, demonstrating growing interdisciplinary engagement while maintaining theological depth. Professional leadership roles include: Editor-in-Chief, Australian Journal of Islamic Studies Vice President, Australian Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies Member, Wellbeing and Mental Health Research Group Organising Committee Member, Women Acknowledging Women Awards Muslim Scholar Adviser, Australian Catholic Council for Inter-religious Relations Keskin actively supervises four doctoral candidates focusing on halal certification, Muslim leadership development, and youth entrepreneurship in Australia. Her academic service extends to editorial work, conference organization, and interfaith dialogue initiatives that strengthen Muslim-non-Muslim relations. With an h-index of 16, her research demonstrates significant scholarly impact in the field. She contributes to the Wellbeing and Mental Health Research Group, developing research that is 'insightful, inclusive, and inspiring' by connecting Islamic spiritual traditions with contemporary wellbeing approaches. This work creates meaningful bridges between religious studies, psychology, and social sciences in addressing modern mental health challenges.

• Islamic spirituality
• inner peace
• Islamic psycho-spirituality
• +3 more

Vivianna Rodriguez Carreon is a Lecturer and Honorary Associate in the Discipline of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Sydney. She holds a PhD from the University of Sydney, an MSocWk s.str. from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (Brazil), and a BA from Universidad de San Martín de Porres (Peru). Her work focuses on peacebuilding, collective trauma, and inner development goals (IDGs), integrating systems thinking and contemplative practices into social science research and education. Education: PhD in Sociology, University of Sydney MSocWk s.str. in Social Work, PUC São Paulo BA in Social Communication, Universidad de San Martín de Porres Research Interests: Vivianna explores human agency in contexts of poverty and conflict, focusing on collective trauma recovery, inner development goals (IDGs), and transformative education. She co-leads the Australia Inner Development Goals Initiative and co-designs Theory U programs in Spanish through the Presencing Institute. Her work bridges sociology, peace studies, and mindfulness-based interventions. Awards & Grants: 2020 FASS3999 Award for interdisciplinary impact 2016 Mind and Life Research Fellowship 2015-2017 University of Sydney Faculty Incentive Funding Australian Postgraduate Award (2009-2013) Teaching & Supervision: Teaches courses on peace psychology, cultures of violence, and conflict resolution. Supervised 5+ master’s and PhD students focusing on topics like peace ecology, awe-based interventions, and structural risks in agency deprivation. Leadership Projects: Co-founded the One Sydney Many People Project to foster cultural transformation in academia. Organized over 50 workshops on Theory U principles, including the U-School of Transformation in Spanish with 550+ members.

• Peace Studies
• Human Development
• Collective Trauma
• +3 more