Didar Zowghi is a Senior Principal Research Scientist and Science Team Leader at CSIRO Data61, Australia's national science agency. His work focuses on advancing ethical AI systems, data quality frameworks, and requirements engineering methodologies. He leads research initiatives addressing challenges in AI governance, diversity/inclusion in technology, and human-centered AI development. Research interests include AI ethics, data completeness in healthcare systems, and the application of machine learning in requirements engineering. His contributions span theoretical frameworks for responsible AI patterns, empirical studies on user perceptions of AI tools like M365 Copilot, and analysis of AI's role in global diplomatic practices. Zowghi has published extensively on topics ranging from blockchain in supply chains to pedagogical innovations in software engineering education. His work often bridges technical systems and societal impacts, emphasizing real-world implementation challenges through collaborative industry-academia projects. Notable outputs include the Responsible AI Pattern Catalogue and studies examining barriers to data quality in IoT platforms. He has pioneered frameworks linking innovation initiatives to occupational skill requirements and developed tools like Elica for dynamic requirements knowledge extraction in agile teams.
Andrew M. Baker is an Associate Professor in the School of Biology & Environmental Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). He holds a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from QUT and specializes in mammal taxonomy, conservation, and evolutionary ecology, with a focus on carnivorous marsupials. His research addresses threats to biodiversity from land-use changes, invasive species, and climate change. He leads the Baker Lab, investigating species like the Julia Creek Dunnart and Antechinus spp., using innovative methods such as barn owl pellet analysis and environmental DNA (eDNA) for detection. Current grants include a $1.1M project on the Julia Creek Dunnart and a $300K ABRS scholarship for Planigale taxonomy. He is a member of the Australian Mammal Society and the Genetics Society of Australia. His research spans taxonomy, ecology, evolution, and conservation, with over 100 publications. Recent work includes describing new species (e.g., Antechinus vandycki) and refining conservation strategies for threatened mammals. He collaborates internationally on projects like the IUCN Red List assessments for Antechinus species.
Associate Professor Peter Sutton is an academic at the University of Queensland (UQ), holding roles as Deputy Head of School (Teaching and Learning) and Associate Professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. His research focuses on Engineering Education, Embedded Systems, Reconfigurable Computing, and Electronic Design Automation. He has contributed to curriculum design, remote lab management during the pandemic, and hardware-software co-design for embedded systems. Sutton completed his undergraduate studies at UQ and earned advanced degrees at Carnegie Mellon University, with over three decades of experience in computer systems research and education. Education Bachelor of Science, University of Queensland Bachelor (Honours) of Engineering, University of Queensland Masters of Science (Coursework), Carnegie Mellon University Doctor of Philosophy, Carnegie Mellon University Research Interests Sutton’s work spans engineering pedagogy, embedded system design, and reconfigurable computing. Recent projects include adapting hands-on labs for remote learning during the pandemic and optimizing FPGA-based architectures for data compression and encryption. His contributions to cache optimization and multiprocessor systems highlight his expertise in hardware-software integration. Publications His 50+ publications cover topics like FPGA implementations of neural networks, code compression techniques for VLIW processors, and embedded system design tools. Notable contributions include frameworks for reconfigurable system-on-chip development and methods to enhance debugging practices in post-novice students. Labs & Teams He collaborates within UQ’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, contributing to research groups focused on embedded systems and engineering education innovation.
Associate Professor Marilyn Bromberg is an academic and lawyer specializing in Body Image Law, public health law, and social media law. She holds a PhD in social media and the law (2014) and currently serves as Associate Professor at the UWA Law School. Her roles include organizing teaching professional development and membership in UWA's Low Risk Ethics Committee. She has held leadership positions such as Juris Doctor Director and Director of Professionalism at UWA Law School. Her research focuses on legal frameworks addressing social media’s impact on body image, eating disorders, and public health. Key collaborations include work with Harvard University’s STRIPED program and roles in the National Taskforce for Social Media, Body Image, and Eating Disorders. She has secured over $1 million in research grants, including an Australian Research Council Discovery Grant on Body Image Law (2025). M has authored/co-edited books including the upcoming Research Handbook on Social Media and the Law (2025) and is working on solo authored publications. She actively engages with media, speaking at venues like the Australian Federal Parliament, Harvard University, and the Supreme Court of Canada. Awards include the 2024 UWA Law School Award for Research Impact and Innovation. Her teaching includes courses on Social Media and the Law, Law, Advocacy, Activism and Change, and Legal Internship. She also practices law at the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA and adjudicates for the WA Department of Communities.
Professor Simon Devitt is Research Director of the Centre for Quantum Software and Information (QSI) at the University of Technology Sydney's Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, School of Computer Science. He also holds several prestigious international appointments including InstituteQ Visiting Chair of Excellence in Quantum Technologies at Aalto University, Finland, and visiting positions at RIKEN in Japan. As a leading figure in quantum computing research, he directs the Australian Quantum Software Network and co-founded quantum education startup Eigensystems Pty Ltd. His educational background includes: PhD in Physics from University of Melbourne (2004-2007) BSc (Hons) in Physics from University of Melbourne (2000-2003) Professor Devitt's research spans quantum software, quantum architecture, and quantum error correction, with a focus on making quantum computing practical at scale. His work addresses fundamental challenges in quantum computing architecture when scaled to millions or billions of qubits. He has pioneered approaches to quantum error correction, resource estimation, and quantum network design, particularly through his leadership of the Quantum Technology at Scale (QTS) research group. His research bridges theoretical foundations with practical implementation challenges, aiming to shape the evolution of quantum technology over the coming decades. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on practical quantum computing challenges, with particular emphasis on error correction techniques, resource estimation, and quantum architecture. A significant portion of his work addresses the surface code and its variants, exploring ways to optimize qubit usage and error rates. He has also made important contributions to quantum networking, particularly through the concept of "quantum sneakernet," and to quantum education and standardization efforts that will be critical for the emerging quantum industry. His notable awards and recognitions include: Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales Warren Prize from the Royal Society of NSW InstituteQ Visiting Chair of Excellence in Quantum Technology Professor Devitt actively mentors numerous PhD students, postdocs, and researchers through his Quantum Technology at Scale group. His research is supported by significant funding from diverse sources including Google Academic Research Awards, Sydney Quantum Academy, DARPA, and the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science. He has led projects on quantum sneakernet networks, quantum algorithm benchmarking frameworks, and quantum software tools that address critical challenges in the field. He leads the Quantum Technology at Scale (QTS) research group at UTS, which focuses on the design and architectural challenges of quantum computing and communications technology at scale. The group includes researchers working on quantum computing architectures, quantum networking (Rottnest Quantum Sneakernet project), and quantum software (Quokka project). The team collaborates extensively with international partners including Aalto University in Finland, University of New South Wales, Keio University in Japan, and industry leaders like Rigetti Computing.
Guanglun Michael Mu is a Professor in the field of Education at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), specializing in sociological analyses of education systems, particularly focusing on China and transnational contexts. His work integrates Pierre Bourdieu's theories of capital, habitus, and field analysis to explore issues of educational equity, resilience, and policy. Mu has authored/co-authored over 100 publications, including books such as Recontextualising and Recontesting Bourdieu in Chinese Education (2024) and Bourdieu and Sino-Foreign Higher Education (2023). His research examines resilience among marginalized groups, inclusive education, and the sociological dynamics of Chinese international students in Australian universities. Mu holds a PhD from QUT (2013) and has presented at global conferences like the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) and the British Sociological Association (BSA). Research interests include: Bourdieu’s social theory applied to education, resilience in disadvantaged populations, transnational higher education partnerships, and policy analysis of inclusive education in China. His recent articles analyze structural constraints on teachers in inclusive education, power dynamics in academic supervision, and linguistic imperialism in academic publishing. Mu also collaborates extensively with international scholars, contributing to cross-cultural dialogues on education equity.
Amisha Mehta is a prominent academic at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), specializing in risk communication, crisis management, and disaster communication. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in public relations, organizational trust, and emergency management. Dr. Mehta has contributed extensively to understanding trust dynamics in corporate and governmental communication during crises, particularly focusing on misinformation management, emergency warning systems, and community resilience-building strategies. Lead researcher in multiple disaster communication projects including the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC. Co-editor of the Routledge Handbook of Risk, Crisis, and Disaster Communication (2024). Published over 80 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in journals like Disasters , International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction , and Public Relations Review . Her research emphasizes practical outcomes for policymakers and practitioners, with a focus on multi-channel communication strategies, business continuity during disasters, and the role of social media in crisis response. She has advised government agencies on risk communication frameworks and participated in high-impact projects such as enhancing dam safety messaging and improving bushfire warning efficacy. Recent work explores the intersection of corporate sustainability strategies (e.g., Net Zero goals) and public trust, as well as the evolving challenges of misinformation in crisis contexts.
Lowell Bautista is an Associate Professor at the School of Law, University of Wollongong, and a staff member of the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) within the Faculty of Business and Law. He specializes in Law of the Sea, maritime boundary disputes in the Asia-Pacific, and South China Sea governance. His expertise spans international humanitarian law, environmental law, and maritime security. He holds degrees from the University of the Philippines, Dalhousie University (Canada), and the University of Wollongong. Education: BA in Political Science (cum laude) and LLB from the University of the Philippines, LLM in Marine and Environmental Law from Dalhousie University, and PhD in Law from University of Wollongong. Research interests include territorial and maritime disputes, legal implications of naval warfare, and ocean governance. He advises governments and institutions on maritime law and has contributed to policy frameworks for offshore resources management. He currently edits Marine Policy (Associate Editor) and Asia Pacific Journal of Ocean Law and Policy (Executive Editor). Recent publications focus on legal challenges in maritime autonomy, Timor Sea diplomacy, and Philippine maritime sovereignty. His work bridges legal theory with geopolitical strategy, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. He supervises PhD candidates on topics like South China Sea naval law and offshore petroleum management. Grants include the 2022-2023 DFAT-funded Maritime Consultancy project. His advisory roles extend to confidential legal opinions for governments and private entities in maritime boundary delimitation and resource disputes. Labs/Teams: Active member of ANCORS, collaborating on projects related to ocean resources and security.
Dr. Gea Rahman is a Lecturer in Computing at Charles Sturt University (CSU), specializing in data science and machine learning. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from CSU, and MSc/BSc degrees from Rajshahi University, Bangladesh, where he was awarded a Gold Medal for academic excellence. With over 20 years of teaching experience, he previously served as Professor and Programme Director at Bangladesh Agricultural University. Education: PhD in Computer Science (Data Science/ML), Charles Sturt University (2011-2015) MSc in Computer Science & Engineering, Rajshahi University (2002-2003) BSc (Hons) in Computer Science & Technology, Rajshahi University (1998-2002) Research Interests: Data science applications in agriculture, healthcare, and environmental monitoring Machine learning techniques including ensemble/deep learning, transfer learning, and incremental learning Data preprocessing methods (missing value imputation, outlier analysis) AI ethics and healthcare consent strategies Awards: Global Research Impact Recognition Award 2020 Best Researcher Award Gold Medal for Academic Excellence (2003) Advising & Grants: Principal supervisor for multiple postgraduate students Recipient of grants including: Ai-Enabled Segmentation of Brain MRI (2024) Adaptive Federated Learning Framework (2024) Unusual Behaviour Detection in Aged Care (2023) He is part of the Data Mining Research Group (DaMRG) and actively contributes to conferences/journals as a reviewer and editorial board member.
Professor Jody Webster is a leading marine geoscientist and Co-Coordinator of the Geocoastal Research Group at the University of Sydney's School of Geosciences. His multidisciplinary research integrates sedimentology, stratigraphy, marine geology, geophysics, paleoecology, and numerical modeling to study coral reef systems and carbonate platforms as critical archives of climate and sea-level change. Research Interests: Jody focuses on Carbonate sedimentology Climate change impacts on reef systems Tectonic influences on sedimentary evolution International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) core analysis Great Barrier Reef and Hawaii as model systems Sea-level and environmental change during glacial-interglacial transitions . Publications: His recent work examines reef responses to meltwater pulses (MWP-1A/B), Holocene nutrient dynamics in the Great Barrier Reef, and carbonate platform drowning mechanisms. He contributes to databases like RADReef (global reef accretion rates) and numerical tools for reef growth modeling. Awards: Recognized with the 2021 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research Multiple ARC Discovery grants International research ship time awards . Teaching: Coordinates courses in marine geoscience (GEOS2115, GEOS3009, MARS5007) and mentors students in reef sedimentology, stratigraphy, and climate modeling. Collaborations: Partnerships with institutions like Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) Universities of Tokyo, Granada, and Wisconsin-Madison International societies (ISRS, AGU, IAS) .
Professor Katie Ellis is a prominent academic at Curtin University's School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry, within the Faculty of Humanities. She holds the position of Professor and serves in the Office of the Provost. Her research focuses on disability studies, media accessibility, digital technology, and higher education policy. Ellis has authored and edited numerous books, including Disability and New Media (2011) and The Routledge International Handbook of Critical Disability Studies (2025). Her work examines intersections of disability with media representation, technology, and social justice, emphasizing inclusion in education and digital spaces. Key research interests include disability media activism, audio description in film and television, and accessibility in higher education. She has contributed to studies on smart cities, pandemic communication, and the role of social media in disability advocacy. Ellis has collaborated with international scholars and institutions, producing interdisciplinary research on topics like disability in video games, dementia care, and global health communication. Her publications span academic journals, edited volumes, and policy reports, addressing themes such as cultural safety in disability arts, specialist housing policies, and philanthropy's role in disability advocacy. Ellis's work often bridges theory and practice, advocating for systemic changes to ensure equitable access and representation for people with disabilities.
Brae Webb is an Associate Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology at The University of Queensland. His email is b.webb@uq.edu.au . His research focuses on formal methods, compiler optimizations, and software verification, with contributions to verification frameworks for compiler optimizations and formal semantics of programming language implementations. He has co-authored multiple publications at conferences such as FormaliSE, CPP, and ICFEM, and contributed to editions of the textbook Software Architecture . His work spans theoretical and applied aspects of software engineering, including the use of proof assistants like Isabelle/HOL for verifying term graph optimizations. Recent projects include analyzing GraalVM's intermediate representation and differential testing methodologies for compiler verification frameworks. Brae Webb's publications reflect a commitment to advancing formal verification techniques in compiler design and software systems. His textbook series on software architecture emphasizes practical design principles for scalable software systems.
Daniel Huppatz is an Associate Professor in Architectural and Industrial Design at Swinburne University's School of Design and Architecture. With nearly two decades in design education and research, he has held leadership roles including Head of Architecture and Head of Interior Architecture. Research interests focus on: Global design history with emphasis on Asian, Australian, and colonial contexts Retail and sensory design experiences Design methodology and historiography Corporate architecture and branding strategies His publications critically examine intersections of design with cultural identity, heritage, and power structures, spanning colonial legacies in Australian design, contested heritage in Hong Kong retail branding, and methodological challenges in design history. Recent work explores sensory dimensions in retail environments and architectural education reforms.
Marja Sarvimaki is an Associate Professor at Bond University's Abedian School of Architecture, affiliated with the Centre for Comparative Construction Research. She previously held positions at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she also chaired undergraduate programs. With a PhD from Aalto University (formerly Helsinki University of Technology) and post-doctoral research in Japan and Korea, she specializes in Asia-Pacific architecture with a focus on critical regionalism, phenomenology, and adaptive reuse. Her notable works include books on architectural methodology and co-authored studies on Jørn Utzon's transcultural essentialism. She actively supervises PhD candidates and serves on professional boards like Gold Coast Open House and Docomomo International. Her research explores cultural impacts on architectural expression and heritage preservation strategies, evidenced through studies on prison repurposing and tropical modernism. Education: PhD (Doctor of Science) in Architecture, Aalto University (2000) Master of Architecture, Helsinki University of Technology (Aalto University) Research studies at Tokyo National University of Arts and Music (Japan Government Mombusho Scholarship) Korea Foundation Fellowship at Korea University Research Interests: Asia-Pacific architectural traditions and modernist interpretations Critical regionalism and cultural identity in design Phenomenological approaches to built environment perception Adaptive reuse of heritage structures (e.g., prisons into theaters) Comparative studies of tropical and trans-cultural architectural practices Recent Article Trends: Focus on adaptive reuse of underutilized heritage sites, cross-cultural architectural comparisons, and methodological innovations in design research. Key themes include prison-to-public-space transformations, Jørn Utzon's transcultural influences, and Gold Coast modernist architecture. Awards & Memberships: Korea Foundation Fellow (2002) Japanese Government Mombusho Scholarship (Japan studies) Member of Docomomo International (since 2013) Board member of Gold Coast Open House (since 2019) Labs/Teams: Leads research initiatives in the Centre for Comparative Construction Research, collaborating internationally on projects like the 16th Docomomo Conference (Tokyo 2020+1). Supervises doctoral candidates focusing on Asia-Pacific architectural themes.
Toby Murray is a Professor in the School of Computing and Information Systems at the University of Melbourne, where he serves as Director of the Defence Science Institute and Co-Lead of the Computer Science Research Group. His work bridges formal methods, cybersecurity, and practical system security, with significant contributions to verified security and vulnerability detection. Murray's research focuses on building highly secure computing systems cost-effectively, with expertise in formal verification, information flow security, and vulnerability detection. His current research projects include Verisimilar (Verified, Secure Machine Learning), EDEFuzz (Detecting excessive data exposure in web applications), COVERN (Proving information flow security of concurrent programs), and Time Protection (Proving timing channel freedom for seL4). His work combines theoretical rigor with practical implementation, resulting in multiple open-source tools including SecC, Legion, and Underflow. Murray's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on verified security properties across diverse domains, from neural networks to concurrent systems. His work often bridges the gap between formal methods and practical security concerns, with increasing attention to machine learning security and policy implications of technical security measures. His publications span top venues in security, formal methods, and software engineering. Distinguished Paper Award at ICSE 2024 for EDEFuzz work on detecting excessive data exposure in web applications Extensive media commentary on cybersecurity issues including CrowdStrike outage analysis and social media regulation Regular contributions to The Conversation and Pursuit on cybersecurity policy matters Murray has advised numerous PhD students to completion, including Lianglu Pan (EDEFuzz), Zhiyuan Zhang, Mo Zhang, and Renlord Yang. He currently supervises multiple PhD students working on security verification, machine learning security, and web application security. His service includes being Program Chair for CSF'25, Associate Editor for IEEE Security & Privacy and ACM TOPS, and membership in IFIP's WG 1.7 and WG 2.3. His research group has developed multiple significant software tools including SecC (Verified Security for Concurrent C Programs), Legion (Principled Automatic Test Case Generation), and Underflow (Compositional Vulnerability Detection for C Programs), all available under open source licenses. Murray's work often involves discovering and reporting bugs in security analysis tools during his research, demonstrating the practical impact of his verification approaches.
