Andrew Mitchell is a Professor at the Faculty of Law, Monash University, and a member of the WTO Dispute Settlement Panelists Indicative List. He has extensive legal practice experience with Allens Arthur Robinson and consults for governments, international organizations, and the private sector. Mitchell has taught law in Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Singapore, and the US. He holds law degrees from the University of Melbourne, Harvard Law School, and a PhD from the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on international economic law, public international law, and digital trade governance, with a particular emphasis on the intersection of trade law and public health. Mitchell has secured six major grants, including an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship, and has authored over 170 books and articles. He serves as an editor for Edward Elgar’s International Economic Law Series and multiple journal editorial boards. Recent projects include 'Safeguarding Health in International Investment Agreements' (2022–2025) 'Maritime Cooperation for a Sustainable Indo-Pacific' (2021–2022) 'Global E-Commerce and Cottage Industries in India' (2020–2021) He has contributed to policy submissions on bilateral investment treaties and delivered lectures on data sovereignty and digital trade. His awards include editorial leadership roles at journals like the Journal of World Investment and Trade and Asia Pacific Law Review .
Darryl Jones is Professor at Griffith University's Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, specializing in behavioral ecology and human-wildlife interactions. His research examines urban ecosystems, wildlife conflict resolution, and conservation strategies, with particular emphasis on bird ecology and road infrastructure impacts. Professor Jones has authored influential books including 'Feeding the Birds at Your Table' and 'A Clouded Leopard in the Middle of the Road' that bridge scientific research and public engagement. His work explores: Wildlife responses to urbanization Bird feeding practices and consequences Road ecology and mitigation design Human dimensions of conservation Koala-vehicle collision patterns Recent publications document COVID-19's impact on global bird feeding behaviors, analyze 20-year trends in koala road mortality, and evaluate LED streetlight effects on urban wildlife. He leads research on dingo population viability in Fraser Island and develops innovative wildlife monitoring technologies like the open-source WildWID RFID system. Professor Jones collaborates extensively with government agencies on conservation policy and has secured funding for projects examining wildlife crossing infrastructure effectiveness. His research informs evidence-based approaches to human-wildlife coexistence in rapidly changing landscapes.
Dr. James McDonald serves as a Lecturer and Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) within the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering's Water Research Centre (WRC). His work at the Vallentine Annexe (H22), Room 102, Kensington Campus focuses on advancing water treatment technologies and understanding contaminant behavior in water systems. His position bridges academic instruction with cutting-edge research in environmental engineering. McDonald's research spans multiple critical areas in water science and engineering, with particular emphasis on trace organic contaminants, membrane technologies, and advanced water treatment processes. His work investigates the fate and removal of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and industrial chemicals in various water treatment systems. He has made significant contributions to understanding disinfection by-product formation, chiral inversion of pharmaceuticals, and the development of novel membrane technologies for improved water purification. His research combines experimental approaches with computational modeling to address complex water quality challenges. Analysis of McDonald's recent publications reveals a strong focus on emerging contaminants, particularly PFAS compounds and chiral pharmaceuticals, and their behavior in water treatment systems. His work demonstrates expertise in both conventional and advanced water treatment technologies, with increasing emphasis on sustainable approaches including green infrastructure and novel membrane processes. The interdisciplinary nature of his research connects environmental engineering, chemistry, microbiology, and materials science to address contemporary water quality challenges. McDonald actively collaborates with researchers across multiple institutions and has contributed to numerous significant studies on water quality and treatment. His work supports the development of more effective water recycling systems and safer drinking water supplies. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the available text, his extensive publication record suggests sustained research funding in water treatment technologies and contaminant fate studies. As part of UNSW's Water Research Centre, McDonald contributes to one of Australia's leading water research facilities. The WRC provides a collaborative environment for addressing complex water challenges through interdisciplinary research that integrates engineering, chemistry, and environmental science perspectives.
Chris Chesterfield is a Professor of Practice at Monash University's Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI), specializing in water governance, urban planning, and sustainable development. He joined Monash in 2014 as part of the executive team at the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities, leading strategic research on water system transformations. His work focuses on developing tools like the Water Sensitive Cities Index, adopted globally to drive policy and practice changes. He has held senior roles at Melbourne Water and the Office of Living Victoria, contributing to Melbourne's leadership in water-sensitive urban design. Chris chairs key committees including the Victorian Environmental Water Holder and the Birrarung Council (Yarra River advisory body). He leads projects on integrated water management and urban sustainability, collaborating with government agencies and international stakeholders. His research emphasizes governance frameworks for water-sensitive cities, policy reforms, and nature-based solutions. Chris has contributed to over 20 research outputs since 2002, with recent work focusing on urban water governance, river management, and policy integration. He actively advises government bodies such as the Victorian Planning Authority and Infrastructure Victoria, shaping legislative reforms and urban development strategies.
Roles and Affiliations: Professor David Levinson is a Professor of Transport in the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney since 2017. He holds adjunct faculty status at the University of Minnesota's Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo-Engineering (since 1999–2016). He previously directed the Accessibility Observatory and the Networks, Economics, and Urban Systems (NEXUS) research group. He is a member of The Net Zero Institute and leads the TransportLab research group. Education: PhD 1998 in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkeley. Research Interests: Focuses on transportation networks, urban systems, accessibility analysis, and policy. Key themes include spatial equity, transport economics, and the co-evolution of land use and transport infrastructure. His work emphasizes data-driven approaches to urban mobility challenges, including modeling transport networks and evaluating infrastructure impacts on accessibility and equity. Grants and Projects: Recent grants include Design of micro-decisions in automated transport (2022, ARC) and Reducing pedestrian crashes through better intersection design (2021, Australian Road Safety Innovation). Collaborates internationally on projects like the Accessibility Observatory. Labs and Teams: Leads the TransportLab and collaborates with the NEXUS group. Active in interdisciplinary research, including urban analytics and transport policy.
Professor Scott Sisson is Director of the UNSW Data Science Hub (uDASH) and Professor of Statistics and Data Science at the University of New South Wales, School of Mathematics and Statistics. His research focuses on computational statistics, particularly solving 'intractable' statistical problems through Bayesian methods, big data techniques, simulation algorithms, and extreme value theory with environmental applications. Education includes a PhD in Statistics from Bristol University (2002), MSc in Environmental Statistics from Lancaster University (1997), and BSc in Mathematics and Statistics from Lancaster University (1996). Research interests span: Bayesian statistics and uncertainty quantification Big data analytics and scalable algorithms Machine learning integration with statistical methods Extreme value modeling for climate/environment Computational techniques for intractable problems Recent publications (2022-2025) demonstrate strong emphasis on Bayesian computation, spatiotemporal modeling, and interdisciplinary applications in materials science, oncology, quantum computing, transportation policy, and ecology. Methodological innovations include likelihood-free inference, modular Bayesian analyses, and symbolic data modeling. Awards and honors: 2020 Service Award (Statistical Society of Australia) 2017 ARC Future Fellowship 2015 G. N. Alexander Medal (Engineers Australia) 2011 Moran Medal (Australian Academy of Science) 2010 J.G. Russell Award (Australian Academy of Science) 2010 Queen Elizabeth II Research Fellowship As Director of uDASH, he leads data science initiatives across UNSW. He maintains sustained ARC funding and supervises students in computational statistics, Bayesian methods, extreme value theory, and machine learning. Professional service includes editorial roles for Statistics and Computing and past presidency of Statistical Society of Australia.
Ben Sparkes is a Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide's Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, affiliated with the School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences and the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing. His work focuses on quantum technology development for next-generation computing and secure communications. Educational background: PhD in Physics, Australian National University (2013) Research interests span quantum information storage/manipulation, cold atom electron/ion sources for ultra-fast biological imaging, and sub-nanometer fabrication. Current DECRA-funded work develops fibre-based quantum networks for secure communications infrastructure. Key recognitions: McKenzie Fellowship for novel electron source development ARC DECRA Fellowship for quantum network research 2018 SA Tall Poppy Award for science outreach leadership Dr. Sparkes leads ARC-funded quantum technology projects and supervises graduate students. He actively participates in public engagement through the Amazing University of Adelaide Laser Radio program and presented at the 2019 Research Tuesday seminar on quantum mechanics' societal impact. He contributes to the Precision Measurement Group's mission of advancing quantum sensing technologies through interdisciplinary collaboration with South Australia's Department for Industry and Skills.
Marcus Smith is an Associate Professor in Law at the Charles Sturt University , where he teaches LAW222 Technology Law and directs the Bachelor of Laws program. He holds advanced degrees from the Australian National University (PhD, LLM) and the University of Cambridge (MPhil). His research spans technology law and regulation , focusing on genomic data governance biometric identification AI ethics blockchain policy cybersecurity surveillance law He leads the Contemporary Threats to Australian Security research group and serves as Chief Investigator on an NHMRC-funded project (MRF2015531) addressing genomic dataset governance. His recent work analyzes algorithmic bias in facial recognition AI in healthcare blockchain's regulatory challenges post-pandemic cybercrime surveillance ethics data security frameworks He actively supervises PhD and honours students in technology law and contributes to law reform through submissions to international bodies like the UN Human Rights Council .
Professor Ernest Foo is a distinguished academic at Griffith University's School of Information and Communication Technology, specializing in cybersecurity with a focus on industrial control systems and cryptographic protocols. With over 15 years of experience in computer networking, he has established himself as a leading expert in SCADA security and smart grid cybersecurity. His research has significant practical applications in critical infrastructure protection, and he has developed hands-on security training programs that have trained professionals from major Australian utilities and government agencies. Professor Foo's educational background includes: Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Electronic and Computer Engineering from University of Queensland Doctor of Philosophy from Queensland University of Technology Professor Foo's research interests center around secure cryptographic protocols with specific applications in industrial control system security and cyber physical systems. His work spans SCADA security, smart grid protection, wireless sensor network security, and post-quantum cryptography. He has made significant contributions to understanding vulnerabilities in industrial protocols like Modbus and DNP3, and has pioneered the application of process mining and data mining techniques for attack detection in critical infrastructure systems. His research bridges theoretical security concepts with practical implementations in real-world industrial environments. Professor Foo's recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated security frameworks for critical infrastructure. His work shows a progression from foundational SCADA security research to advanced applications of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and formal methods in cybersecurity. A notable trend is the integration of zero trust principles with industrial control systems, alongside growing emphasis on post-quantum cryptographic solutions. His publications span high-impact journals and conferences in cybersecurity, with increasing focus on anomaly detection in cyber-physical systems and the application of graph-based machine learning techniques to network security challenges. Professor Foo's notable scientific achievements include: Best paper award at the 2nd International Cyber Resilience Conference for "Gap analysis of Intrusion Detection in Smart Grids" Professor Foo has secured significant research funding including an ARC Linkage grant with Powerlink Queensland focused on cyber security for electricity sub-stations. He currently leads multiple research projects including Westpac Micro-Credentials in Financial Crime Investigation, Digital Banking Micro-credentials with ANZ, and research on quantum-safe cryptography. As a dedicated educator, he serves as Program Director for multiple cybersecurity programs including the Master of Cyber Security, and has supervised numerous doctoral and masters students. His Cyber Security: Industrial Control System course, conducted annually from 2013-2018, featured innovative hands-on training with real-world participants from major Australian utilities. Professor Foo has been instrumental in establishing the SCADA security research laboratory with multiple vendor system miniatures running industrial PLCs. His work bridges theoretical security concepts with practical implementations, making significant contributions to the security of industrial control systems and critical infrastructure worldwide.
Professor Sarath Kodagoda is a leading academic and researcher in robotics and mechatronics at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where he serves as Acting Director of the UTS Robotics Institute. He specializes in sensor fusion, data processing, and machine learning, with a focus on robotic solutions for infrastructure inspection and assistive technologies. His work includes developing the Robotic Remote Lab teaching facilities and founding the iPipes lab for wastewater infrastructure research. Affiliations: UTS Robotics Institute, Faculty of Engineering & IT Leadership Roles: President of the Australian Robotics & Automation Association, Ambassador for NSW Smart Sensing Network His research interests span robotics, sensor networks, and infrastructure robotics, with notable contributions to pipeline inspection and tactile sensing. He has published over 170 papers, attracted $6M+ in grants, and supervised 12 PhD students now working at Amazon, Google, and ABB. Awards include the UTS Medal for Teaching & Research Integration and multiple national/international innovation awards. Recent work emphasizes robotic systems for wastewater infrastructure, assistive robotics for vision-impaired individuals, and advanced sensor technologies. His articles highlight innovations in tactile sensing skins, 3D object detection (e.g., CaLiJD, LMIINet), and pipeline defect detection (PIPE-CovNet+). Grants: Contracts with Amplitel, NBN Co Ltd, and ARC Linkage Projects Labs/Teams: UTS Robotics Institute, iPipes Lab
Dr. Edward Wei is a Research Fellow at the University of Sydney Business School's Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (ITLS), where he has been since 2018. His work focuses on transport modeling, urban mobility, and policy analysis, with an emphasis on post-pandemic commuting patterns and sustainable transport initiatives. He holds a PhD from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), an MBus from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), and a BEc from UIBE in China. Dr. Wei's research explores the intersection of work arrangements (e.g., hybrid work, flexi-time) and their impacts on transportation demand, urban planning, and environmental sustainability. His recent projects include developing state-wide transport models, analyzing micro-mobility adoption, and assessing the role of non-traditional mobility service providers in MaaS frameworks. Key areas of expertise include discrete choice modeling, transport demand forecasting, and policy evaluation. His publications span over 30 peer-reviewed articles, with recent contributions emphasizing post-pandemic commuting behavior, zero-emission truck transitions, and sustainable university travel strategies. His academic contributions bridge theoretical transport economics with practical policy applications, addressing challenges such as car tolling regimes, public transport patronage optimization, and the integration of remote work patterns into urban planning frameworks.
Neil Selwyn is a Professor in the Faculty of Education at Monash University with over 30 years of research experience focusing on the integration of digital technology into educational settings. His work centers on the 'real-life' constraints and problems faced when implementing technology-based education, with expertise in AI, automation, data-driven education, and digital degrowth. His primary research interests span digital technology and society, the use of digital technologies in educational settings, digital sociology of education, and environmental sustainability issues associated with digital technology use. Professor Selwyn is recognized internationally for his critical approach to educational technology and has led numerous nationally-funded projects examining educational data, learning analytics, and AI technologies. His recent publications reflect a growing focus on the environmental implications of AI in education, digital degrowth, and the practical challenges teachers face when implementing AI tools in classrooms. This work demonstrates a shift toward examining the sustainability and ethical dimensions of educational technology. Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia (2024) Professor Selwyn serves as a media commentator for major outlets including the NYT, WSJ, CNN, Guardian, BBC, and ABC, and hosts the 'Education Technology Society' podcast. He maintains significant international collaborations, currently holding visiting positions at Lund University (2025), University of Oxford (2023-2027), and previously at the University of Gothenburg (2016-2017).
Dr. Aditya Joshi is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). He specializes in Natural Language Processing (NLP), with a focus on sarcasm detection, dialectal NLP, and ethical AI applications in public health and cybersecurity. He joined UNSW in 2023 following industry roles at SEEK, Notiv, and Fractal Analytics, where he developed NLP systems for recommendation engines and meeting analytics. His research has garnered over 3,000 citations (h-index 26) and secured $3.1M in grants, including Defence Trailblazer and Google exploreCSR awards. Education: Joint PhD (2018) from IIT Bombay (India) and Monash University (Australia); MTech in CSE (2011) from IIT Bombay. Research Interests: Making NLP models robust for non-native English speakers and the LGBTI+ community, algorithmic enhancements to transformers, and applications in public health, cybersecurity, and societal issues. His work spans epidemic intelligence (collaborations with EPIWATCH and IFCYBER), cybersecurity tools like AuditNet, and inclusive AI initiatives such as queer-inclusive workshops funded by Google. He designed UNSW's new NLP course (COMP6713) and co-authored a Wiley textbook on NLP. Notable grants include the A$1.4M 'Comprehensive Defence Data Platform' (Lead CI) and A$92K Google exploreCSR grant for benchmarking dialectal sentiment. His awards include the Best PhD Thesis from IITB-Monash and Best Paper accolades at FAccT 2023 and MoMM 2020. He supervises projects on kernel-based attention reformulation, prompt-based sarcasm detection, and multilingual small-scale LLMs. His service roles include Executive Committee Member at ALTA and arXiv moderator for computational linguistics.
Dr. Farha Sattar is a Lecturer in Education (Mathematics) at the Faculty of Arts and Society, Charles Darwin University. With over thirty years of teaching experience in Mathematics, Science education, GIS, Remote Sensing, and e-Learning technologies at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, Dr. Sattar brings extensive expertise to her academic role. She holds a PhD in Geospatial Science from Charles Darwin University, focusing on Spatial Mathematical Modelling for 3D Gully Mapping and Erosion Quantification. Her educational background includes: PhD in Geospatial Science (Three Dimensional Gully Mapping and Erosion Quantification within a Geoinformatics Framework), Charles Darwin University (2012) Prior academic experience at several Asian and European universities Dr. Sattar's research spans multiple interdisciplinary fields with a strong focus on the intersection of education and technology. Her primary research interests include Mathematics Education, STEM Education, Geoscience Education, Spatial Mathematical Modelling, Drone Technology, Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems, and Innovative Pedagogies such as experiential learning and inquiry-based approaches. She has developed expertise in cognitive development, particularly in fostering critical and creative thinking skills through iSTEM approaches. An analysis of Dr. Sattar's recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory toward integrating emerging technologies like drones, augmented reality, and geospatial artificial intelligence into educational contexts. Her work demonstrates a progression from foundational geospatial research on erosion mapping to innovative applications in STEM education. Recent publications increasingly focus on drone technology for educational purposes, spatial data infrastructure for policy development, and computational thinking development through technology-enhanced learning. Dr. Sattar has received numerous accolades for her contributions to education and research: NT Science Week Awards – Inspired NT STEM Hero of the Year award (2021) Long Service Recognition Award (2023) Finalist, CDU Alumni Award (2023) Multiple Best Presentation Awards (2008, 2010, 2017) Australian College of Educators - 2021 College Medal Nominee As a supervisor, Dr. Sattar mentors postgraduate research students including Ayesha Farhan, who is working on "A Framework for Cognitive Development: Fostering Critical and Creative Thinking Skills, Using iSTEM Approach." She actively secures research funding through various projects such as "DBELaSTEM: Drone-Based Experiential Learning and STEM Education," "STEM_D & VR: Youth STEM Learning and Empowerment with Drones and VR," and "CodProg Drone Lab." Her research is supported by grants from NT Government projects and other external funding sources. Dr. Sattar leads the CodProg Drone Lab, an innovative research space exploring drone technology applications in education. She is a certified drone pilot and aeronautical radio operator, which enables her to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Her work with the "Flying Forward: Drones, STEM Equity, and Indigenous Empowerment" initiative demonstrates her commitment to community engagement and addressing educational disparities through technology.
Dr. Rebecca Clements is a Research Fellow at RMIT University's School of GUSS, focusing on sustainable and equitable urban development. Her current projects include the 'Deep Timetable' ARC project (Noongar-led railway history in WA) and examining parking approaches in Australian cities' apartment boom. Previously, she held a Henry Halloran Research Trust Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Sydney's Infrastructure Governance Incubator and conducted micromobility research with the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies. Her PhD from the University of Melbourne explored Japanese parking policies during automobility. Research interests include overcoming urban car dominance, parking policy, transport justice (e.g., children’s mobility), and decolonial infrastructure governance. Key awards include the Henry Halloran Fellowship. Her work bridges policy analysis, equity, and decolonial methodologies to reimagine urban futures.
