Derya Iner

Derya Iner is an Associate Professor and Research Coordinator at the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation (CISAC) within the Faculty of Arts at Charles Sturt University. She received her PhD in Cultural Studies with a minor in Gender and Women's Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2011. Iner is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking work on Islamophobia in Australia, particularly as the chief investigator and editor of the Islamophobia in Australia Reports I-IV (2017-2023), which have garnered worldwide attention with extensive media coverage reaching hundreds of millions of people.

Her research interests span multiple dimensions of Islamophobia, including online and offline manifestations, institutional and interpersonal experiences, children and mothers' perspectives, far-right populism and extremism, mosque attacks in Australia and the West, and the emotional and mental health impacts of Islamophobia. Iner's work has significantly influenced public discourse, policy development, and academic understanding of anti-Muslim sentiment in Australia.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a growing focus on the intersection of Islamophobia with media representation, social media dynamics, and political discourse. Her research increasingly examines the emotional and psychological consequences of Islamophobia on individuals and communities, particularly vulnerable populations like children and women. The Islamophobia in Australia Reports series demonstrates an evolving methodology with increasingly sophisticated data collection and analysis techniques as the research program matures.

• Deputy Chair and Research Head of the Islamophobia Register Australia
• Co-founder of the International Islamophobia and Children Network
• Member of Meta's advisory committee (Facebook)
• Founder and President of the Islamic Community Academics Network (ICAN)
• Editorial Academic Board at the Centre for Religion, Society and Ethics at CSU

In addition to her research, Iner actively supervises PhD and Master's students, teaches courses on Islam in the Modern World, Women in Islam, and Islam through Western Eyes, and develops new subjects such as the Sociology and Anthropology of Islam. Her work extends beyond academia through expert consultations with organizations including the Diversity Council Australia, Australian Human Rights Commission, and Multicultural NSW. Iner is frequently featured as a public commentator in national and international media outlets including ABC radio, Sydney Morning Herald, Guardian, and New Zealand TV.