Elaine Laforteza

Dr. Elaine Laforteza is an academic and Equity & Diversity Project Officer (Cultural Diversity) at the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion at the University of Technology, Sydney. She teaches in the School of Communication and the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation program.

Her research focuses on critical race and whiteness studies, colonialism, everyday racism, and Filipino-Australian relations. Her scholarly work examines how power operates through somatic experiences and cultural formations, particularly regarding race and colonial legacies.

Dr. Laforteza's publications reveal a consistent focus on decolonial approaches to understanding race, whiteness, and power structures. Her work spans cultural studies, sociology, and postcolonial theory, with particular attention to how these intersect with gender, embodiment, and institutional practices.

• Distinguished Service, Young Alumni Award (Macquarie University, 2011)

As an educator and community activist, Dr. Laforteza bridges academic research with practical community engagement. She hosts monthly storytelling events called Generation Women and has developed plays exploring identity and social issues, demonstrating her commitment to translating scholarly work into accessible cultural forms.