Athena Lathouras

Dr Athena 'Tina' Lathouras is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), Queensland, Australia. She holds a PhD in Structural Community Development (2012) and has over 40 years of experience in the social services sector. Her research focuses on structural community development, popular education, and social justice, particularly exploring micro-macro connections to effect systemic change. Tina has pioneered critical-relational approaches to enhance international student well-being and learning outcomes, earning a 2016 National Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.

• Educational Background: PhD (2012, UQ), BSocWk(Hons) (2000, Qld), GradCertSocWk&SocPol (Qld)
• Research Interests: Structural Community Development, Citizenship Movements, Transformative Pedagogy, International Student Inclusion

Her work emphasizes participatory action research (PAR) and community-university partnerships. Notable projects include enhancing neighborhood centers' impact, reimagining popular education for social change, and investigating citizen-led social movements. Tina supervises PhD students in areas like inclusive policy design and community development in rapidly changing regions.

Grants & Collaborations:

• USC Collaboration Grant (2016–2017): Reimagining Community Development through Popular Education
• Queensland Community Foundation Grant (2015–2017): Supporting Social Policy Advocacy

Awards:

• 2015 USC Advance Award for Learning and Teaching
• 2016 National Citation for Student Learning

Labs/Teams: Engage Research Lab, Borderlands Cooperative, Community Praxis Co-operative. She is actively involved in organizations like the International Association for Community Development (IACD) and Community Development Queensland (CD Qld).