Sean Foley is a Professor of Applied Finance at Macquarie University, specializing in Fintech, Cryptocurrencies, Trading, and Market Design. He leads the Decentralized Assets division at the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC), bridging academia, industry, and government. His research focuses on blockchain applications like automated market makers, DeFi protocols, and stablecoins. Education: PhD in Finance from the University of Sydney (2014), focusing on 'The Impact of Regulation on Market Quality'. Research Interests: Decentralized finance (DeFi) systems Cryptocurrency market dynamics and regulation Market microstructure and liquidity provision Energy market crises and policy Regulatory frameworks for financial markets Key Projects: Leading the DFCRC's Industrial PhD Scholarships (2021–2031), mentoring students like Arvind Rangarajan and Juuso Artturi Itkonen. Research on Australia's National Electricity Market (NEM) suspension and energy policy. Awards: Best Paper Award at the Cryptocurrency Conference (2019) Philip Brown Prize for Best Australian Paper (2021) Exceptional Research Prize (2019) Advising & Grants: Supervised over 10 PhD students through DFCRC scholarships. Secured $181 million for the Digital Finance CRC. Lead applicant in the Gunns Ltd shareholder class action. Labs/Teams: Head of Decentralized Assets at DFCRC, collaborating on policy and technology. Co-researcher on 'Electricity Markets in Crisis' and cryptocurrency illicit use studies.
Dr. Amin Sakzad is an Associate Professor in the Department of Software Systems & Cybersecurity at Monash University's Faculty of Information Technology. His research focuses on lattice-based cryptography, wireless communications, and post-quantum security protocols. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Amirkabir University of Technology (2011) and has held academic roles at Carleton University and Monash since 2012. Dr. Sakzad’s expertise spans lattice coding theory, MIMO systems, and privacy-preserving technologies for genomic databases and blockchain applications. He leads multiple ARC-funded projects, including work on secure databases (SRDBMS) and post-quantum cryptographic primitives for FinTech and energy sectors. His research has been recognized through awards such as the FIT Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence (2021). Key collaborations include projects on blockchain security (CollinStar Lab), genomic data privacy, and energy market cybersecurity. His work addresses UN SDGs through contributions to quality education (SDG 4) and industry innovation (SDG 9). Recent publications highlight advancements in lattice-based cryptography (e.g., CRYSTALS-Kyber variants), privacy-preserving energy trading, and secure blockchain protocols like FPPW watchtower systems. His research bridges theoretical cryptography with practical implementations in embedded systems and 5G telecommunications. Grants: 16 active/completed projects including $1.2M in ARC funding Advising: Supervising PhD projects on lattice applications in post-quantum crypto and blockchain Labs: Core member of Monash’s Software Defined Telecommunications (SDT) Lab and CollinStar Lab
Professor Barney Tan serves as Professor of Information Systems and Senior Deputy Dean (Impact and Partnerships) at UNSW Business School. Previously, he held the position of Head of School (Information Systems and Technology Management) and was formerly Professor of Strategic Information Systems at The University of Sydney. Professor Tan completed his PhD in Information Systems at the National University of Singapore in 2012, following a Bachelor of Computing (Honors) in Information Systems from the same institution in 2004. His research focuses on strategic information systems, AI management and implementation, digital platforms and ecosystems, fintech, and information systems for sustainable development with particular emphasis on IT trends in the Asia-Pacific region including China and ASEAN countries. As an engaged researcher, Professor Tan is deeply passionate about translational research that contributes toward sustainable development and frequently provides advisory support to organizations he has studied, including national governments through his work with the United Nations International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries. His research has been published in top-tier journals including MIS Quarterly, Information Systems Research, Journal of Association of Information Systems, Information Systems Journal, and The Journal of Strategic Information Systems. Senior Editor, Information Systems Journal (2022-Present) Senior Editor, Information Technology and People (2019-Present) Associate Editor, Internet Research (2020-Present) Associate Editor, Information and Management (2016-Present) Editorial Board Member, Information Systems Research (2022-Present) Editorial Board Member, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management (2017-Present) Professor Tan has received numerous prestigious teaching and research awards throughout his distinguished career: 22 awards in 11 years at The University of Sydney SUPRA Teacher of the Year award for 2019 and 2020 SUPRA Supervisor of the Year award for 2019, 2020 and 2021 The University of Sydney Business School Dean's Award for Teaching in 2019 Multiple Dean's Citations for Teaching across various courses and semesters Professor Tan has successfully secured multiple competitive research grants: Hong Kong University Grants Committee General Research Fund (2020-2022): 'The Impact of Social Media on Digital Guanxi Formation in the Chinese Workplace', Co-Investigator, HKD$475,617 (A$88,286) The University of Sydney Business School Industry Partnership Grant (2017): 'International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries Research Development Project', Chief Investigator, A$27,238 Zhejiang Gongshang University Strategic Research Grant (2016-2019): 'Emerging Digital Commerce Platforms: Development Patterns and Usage Behavior', Principal Investigator, CNY$300,000 (A$60,535) Multiple University of Sydney Bridging Support Grants (2015-2016) focused on digital commerce and Australian-China trade Professor Tan is frequently featured in mainstream media outlets including ABC News, Business Insider, Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, News.com.au, The Australian Financial Review, CIO, and Bloomberg Businessweek, where he provides expert commentary on technology-related topics such as cryptocurrency, digital platforms, and China's tech landscape.
Associate Professor Sam Kirshner is a faculty member at the University of New South Wales within the School of Information Systems and Technology Management . His research focuses on behavioral decision making , algorithmic impact on operations , and artificial intelligence applications in business contexts. PhD in Management Science from Queen’s University, Canada Teaching expertise in data visualization, predictive analytics, and AI ethics Co-author of Business Analytics: A Management Approach Member of the Ethical AI Advisory His research explores how psychological distance and construal level theory influence decisions in supply chains, technology management, and consumer behavior. Recent work examines ChatGPT's decision biases , algorithm aversion , and sustainable operations under financial constraints. Key publication trends show focus areas: AI ethics and human-AI collaboration Behavioral supply chain analysis Temporal/spatial psychological distance effects CO2 forecasting with sparse data Consumer behavior in digital platforms Virtual reality and cognitive processing Supervision roles include mentoring 2 PhD students and 6 honors students, contributing to the next generation of scholars in business analytics and technology management.
Noman Shaheer is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney, with a PhD in International Business from the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina (2019). His work bridges digital internationalization, digital innovations, and online entrepreneurship, with a focus on how digital platforms reshape global business dynamics. His research examines topics such as legitimacy spillovers in multinational platforms, identity signaling in digital entrepreneurship, and institutional influences on cross-border acquisitions. He has published in top-tier journals including Journal of International Business Studies , Journal of Business Venturing , and Harvard Business Review , with recent articles addressing network effects in digital markets and the evolution of non-traditional entry modes. Fields of Interest: Digital Internationalization Digital Innovations Online Entrepreneurship Global Strategy Fintech International Entrepreneurship Scientific Awards : Lazardis Award for Journal of Business Venturing’s Best Paper Temple/AIB Best Paper Award Best Reviewer Awards at AOM and AIB Charles Coker Fellowship Alan M. Rugman Most Promising Scholar Award Dean’s Citation for Teaching Excellence (University of Sydney) Teaching : He teaches courses on Digital Globalization, Global Business, Strategy in Emerging Markets, and International Entrepreneurship.
Di Bu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Finance at Macquarie University, leading the Macquarie University FinTech and Banking Research Centre. He holds a PhD in Finance from the University of Queensland (2015). His research focuses on FinTech innovations, climate finance, household finance, and behavioral finance, with an emphasis on embedding sustainability into financial systems. He has secured over AUD 4 million in research funding through ARC Linkage and Discovery projects, focusing on AI-driven credit assessments, Open Banking, ESG analytics, and climate resilience. Education PhD in Finance, University of Queensland (2015) Research Interests Di's work explores belief formation in financial decisions, sustainable lending practices, and climate adaptation tools. He pioneers projects such as AI credit scoring systems, behavioral interventions for sustainable investing, and digital platforms for climate resilience. His interdisciplinary approach bridges industry, government, and academia to address financial and environmental challenges. Projects & Funding AUD 4M+ in grants including two ARC Linkage and one ARC Discovery projects Current initiatives: Greenwashing detection, ESG rating divergence analysis, and climate-resilient finance platforms Labs/Teams Director of the FinTech & Banking Research Centre and affiliated with Data Horizons Research Centre and Frontier AI Research Centre at Macquarie University.
Dongming Xu is an Associate Professor in Business Information Systems at the University of Queensland Business School. She holds a PhD from the City University of Hong Kong in Information Systems and has established herself as a prominent researcher in the field of information systems with over 100 publications in top-tier journals and conference proceedings. Her educational background includes a PhD from City University of Hong Kong in Information Systems, though specific details about earlier degrees are not provided in the available text. Dr. Xu's research focuses on the confluence of information technology use and innovation, with particular emphasis on IT entrepreneurship, social media applications in business contexts, and business intelligence systems. Her work explores how information systems influence society and business performance, with applications spanning disaster management, eFinance, eHealth, and knowledge management. She combines theoretical model building with laboratory and field experiments, often developing prototype systems to validate her research. Her publication record demonstrates consistent high-quality output across multiple domains of information systems research, with recent work emphasizing digital disruption, platform ecosystems, social media in disasters, healthcare technology, and micro-learning applications. Her research shows a clear trajectory from foundational work on intelligent agents and decision support systems toward contemporary topics in digital transformation and platform-based innovation. Associate Editor, Information & Management Associate Editor, Journal of Electronic Commerce Research Associate Editor, Australasian Journal of Information Systems Dr. Xu has supervised numerous PhD students to completion, with research topics spanning digital disruption, IT startup development, social media in disasters, conceptual modeling, and environmental management. She has received multiple research grants, including current funding for 'Empowering Australia's Visual Arts via Creative Blockchain Opportunities' (2023-2026) and past projects on 'Smart micro learning with open education resources' (2018-2022). Her research has been supported by various agencies including the Hong Kong Government Research Grant Council, The National Natural Science Foundation of China, The University of Queensland, and City University of Hong Kong. She leads research in several key areas including IT entrepreneurship, business intelligence systems, and social media applications across multiple domains. Her work often involves developing innovative systems such as web-service-agent-based family wealth management systems, decision support systems for securities exception management, and knowledge management systems for disaster management.
Dr. Nafis Alam is a Professor and Head of the School of Business at Monash University Malaysia. With over 20 years in higher education, he has held leadership roles at institutions including the Henley Business School Malaysia, University of Reading Malaysia, and Asia Pacific University. His expertise spans FinTech, financial regulation, and Islamic finance, with over 50 peer-reviewed publications and nine co-authored books. He actively engages with global industry and policy, contributing to reports by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF). Awards include the Global Islamic Finance Award's 'Upcoming Personality' (2016) and Monash University's Vice-Chancellor Medal (2016). Education: PhD in Banking and Finance (Monash University), MBA (Multimedia University), and Economics (Patna University). He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) from the University of Nottingham and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). Research focuses on FinTech regulation, digital currencies, AI ethics, and Islamic finance innovation. Recent projects include Malaysia's consumer credit framework and blockchain in energy legal systems. Media contributions include commentaries on cryptocurrency, fiscal reforms, and ESG evaluations. Key Supervision Areas: FinTech, Financial Regulation, Technology Adoption Grants/Projects: Active roles in 2023-2026 projects on legal frameworks for blockchain and consumer credit Labs/Teams: Collaborations with global institutions like CCAF and industry partners in Southeast Asia. Advocates for market-driven education programs and adult learning strategies.
Yanglan Zu serves as a Lecturer in Accounting within the College of Business, Government and Law at Flinders University, bringing expertise from her PhD studies at the University of Technology Sydney. Her academic profile is anchored in interdisciplinary research bridging accounting principles with contemporary business challenges. Her educational foundation includes: PhD in Accounting, University of Technology Sydney Undergraduate Honours degree (institution unspecified) Research interests center on corporate sustainability and innovation , with growing emphasis on data analytics applications in accounting. Her work demonstrates consistent alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly through investigations into climate change impacts on corporate behavior and FinTech's labor market effects. Current projects explore the intersection of environmental pressures, digital transformation, and governance structures. Recent publications reveal strong thematic cohesion around sustainable business practices, with notable emphasis on climate-related corporate responses and digital finance implications. The 2024-2025 research grant from AFAANZ supports ongoing work in these priority areas. Award highlights: 2024 EFMA Corporate Finance Best Paper Award for governance research 2024 UTS Vice-Chancellor's Learning and Teaching Citation 2024-2025 AFAANZ Research Grant funding As an educator, she coordinates advanced FinTech courses (BUSN8010 and BUSN1023) with a student-centered philosophy emphasizing analytical thinking and practical technology applications. Her teaching methodology actively incorporates digital tools to foster inclusive learning environments, reflecting her research interests in technological disruption.
Associate Professor Anton Didenko is a leading academic at UNSW Sydney's School of Private & Commercial Law, specializing in FinTech regulation, banking law, and central bank digital currencies (CBDC). He holds law degrees from Russia and the UK, including an MJur and DPhil from the University of Oxford. His research focuses on CBDC design, regulatory sandboxes, open banking frameworks, and cybersecurity in finance. University Affiliation: UNSW Sydney Key Academic Roles: Author of Banking Law in Australia (11th ed, 2024) and lead author of Customer Data Sharing Frameworks (2024) Global Engagement: Adviser to G20, Asian Development Bank, and UN agencies Research Interests: - CBDC policy and design implications - Regulatory frameworks for FinTech innovation - Cybersecurity in financial systems - Transnational commercial law and secured transactions - Open data and customer consent mechanisms Recent Articles: Focus on CBDC adoption in Pacific economies, weaponization of digital currencies in geopolitical conflicts, and comparative analysis of blockchain liabilities. His work bridges legal, technological, and policy dimensions of financial innovation. Awards : Australian Academic of the Year in Digital Finance (2023) Advising & Grants: - No listed advisees - Collaborations include Asian Development Bank-funded Pacific CBDC studies - Co-authored policy reports for UN Capital Development Fund and CPA Australia Labs/Teams: - Editor-in-Chief of the Cape Town Convention Journal - Co-leader of UNSW's FinTech regulation research initiatives
Dr Augustine Donkor is a Lecturer in Accounting and Finance at Murdoch University , affiliated with the Murdoch Business School within the College of Business. He holds a PhD from Edith Cowan University (Australia), MPhil, and BSc from the University of Ghana. His research focuses on corporate governance, sustainability reporting, integrated reporting, tax avoidance, and assurance mechanisms. He has held academic positions at Sheridan Institute of Higher Education, Edith Cowan University, and the University of Ghana Business School, alongside industry experience with NGOs like ICED. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (Accounting), Edith Cowan University (2007–2021) MPhil (Business Administration), University of Ghana BSc (Business Administration, Accounting), University of Ghana Research Interests: Dr Donkor’s work examines sustainability practices in public and higher education sectors across Australasia and Africa, with emphases on climate resilience, stakeholder perceptions, and governance structures. His recent studies address board diversity impacts on sustainability performance, tax avoidance strategies linked to integrated reporting, and ESG disclosures in fintech firms. He emphasizes institutional responses to climate change and the role of combined assurance mechanisms. Grants & Funding: Recipient of grants from the Australia-Africa Universities Network and the Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand (AFAANZ). Labs/Teams: Active member of academic associations including AFAANZ, European Accounting Association (EAA), and African Accounting and Finance Association (AAFA). His current projects explore sustainability reporting frameworks and their alignment with SDGs, particularly in public sector institutions.
Associate Professor Benjamin Loos is a finance academic specializing in fintech, behavioral finance, and household finance. He holds positions at the University of New South Wales (UNSW Business School, School of Banking and Finance) as Associate Professor and Program Director for the Master of Financial Technology. He is also a tenured W3 Professor of Digital Finance at Technical University of Munich (TUM School of Management), Director of the Master in Finance and Information Management (FIM), and has held roles at institutions like University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Mannheim Business School. His research focuses on solutions to individual investor mistakes through financial advice innovations, ETFs, and digital tools. Publications appear in top-tier journals like Management Science , Review of Finance , and Journal of Financial Economics . Awards include the 2021 TUM School of Management Best Teaching Award and the 2017 PhD Thesis Award. Teaching spans behavioral finance, investment strategies, and digital finance across undergraduate and executive education programs. He advises on fintech industry partnerships and directs academic programs integrating technology with finance education.
Evelyn Ng is a Lecturer at the Business School of The University of Sydney , where she teaches courses such as INFS1000 Digital Business Innovation and INFS6004 Digital Business Transformation . She holds a PhD and a Master of Management from the University of Sydney, along with a Bachelor of Commerce , and is a CPA affiliate. Research Interests : Evelyn’s work focuses on Fintech , Digital platforms and ecosystems , Chinese IT management , Qualitative IS research , and IT-enabled social innovation , with recent studies exploring social media’s role in digital guanxi development, ethical challenges in real-time volunteer apps, and competitive strategies for Fintech platforms. Key Themes : Her publications since 2017 highlight trends in platform ecosystems , sharing economy dynamics , digital transformation , and social justice in technology . Recent Work (2024): Investigated the virality of IoT platforms , integrated superapp development , and BNPL platforms ’ impact on consumer behavior. Scientific Awards : Recognized for excellence in teaching and tutoring through multiple Dean’s Citations and Feedback for Teaching (FFT) Student Survey Awards at the University of Sydney Business School (2015–2021). Grants and Supervision : Supervised honours student Andrew Andrew (2023), and currently advises PhD candidates Dongdi CHEN (Ambidexterity in Digital Platforms) and Essie HONG (Digital Transformation). She is involved in the 2023 Early Career Research Scheme grant on digital transformation strategies in China.
Paul Gerrans is a Professor of Finance at the University of Western Australia (UWA) Business School, specializing in consumer financial decision-making, retirement savings, and financial literacy. He has held roles including Chair of the Business School's Regional Ethics and Research Committee and membership in the OECD/INFE Research Committee and PISA Financial Literacy Expert Group. His research integrates behavioral economics, aging studies, and policy analysis, with a focus on improving retirement outcomes through education and interventions. Education Overview: Previous positions at Edith Cowan University (1990–2010) and visiting roles at Susquehanna University (1995, 2007). Research Interests: Financial literacy acquisition in youth and its decline in older adults. Impact of cognitive function on retirement savings decisions. Cross-cultural retirement savings behaviors (e.g., Thailand, Malaysia). Role of social norms and values in financial choices. Awards: 2013 Outstanding Achievement Award from Financial Literacy Australia. Grants & Projects: Australia Research Council grants on retirement savings education (2009–2012). CSIRO-funded Superannuation Cluster projects (2013–2016). Recent collaborations on pandemic impacts on retirement savings (2023–2025). External Roles: Member of OECD’s INFE Research Committee and PISA Financial Literacy Group. Advisory roles for ASIC, National Seniors Australia, and Thai universities. His work bridges academia and policy, addressing global challenges in financial inclusion and aging populations.
Dr. Reihaneh Bidar is a Lecturer in Business Information Systems at the University of Queensland (UQ) Business School, part of the Faculty of Business, Economics, and Law. She is also an Associate Investigator at the Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S) Centre. She holds a PhD from Queensland University of Technology’s School of Information Systems. Her research focuses on how organizations manage AI, automation, and digital integration, particularly the role of human-AI hybrids in work redesign. She emphasizes mitigating negative consequences of emerging technologies while enhancing organizational readiness for AI adoption. Her teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate Information Systems programs, including courses on Business Analytics, Enterprise Architecture, IoT Systems, and Mobile App Development. She has developed and coordinated courses that bridge theory and practice for both bachelor’s and master’s students. Dr. Bidar’s work addresses challenges in digital collaboration and value co-creation in online networks. Notable contributions include a thought-leadership report with SAP Institute for Digital Government, which classified tasks based on risk levels to redesign public sector work. These approaches were adopted by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure for invoice processing. Her research interests further explore digital collaboration dynamics, crowdsourcing challenges, and service innovation. She collaborates with industry to translate academic insights into actionable strategies for inclusive AI and sustainable digital practices.
