Kathryn Kelly is a Senior Lecturer at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in the School of Creative Arts, Drama, within the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education & Social Justice. Her expertise spans dramaturgy, theatre history, and socially engaged performance practices, with a focus on feminist and transcultural collaborations. PhD in Dramaturgy from the University of Queensland Adjunct Professor at multiple institutions (2008-2015) Her research explores dramaturgy's role in climate crisis narratives, digital innovation, and First Nations community engagement. Recent projects like The SAND Project and Rovers highlight her international collaborations and advocacy for marginalized voices. Kathryn's publications include Critical Stages special editions and works in journals like Performing Ethos and Social Alternatives . Key trends in her research: transcultural performance, digital scenography, and policy-driven theatre analysis. Fellowship with the National Library of Australia (2021) Lord Mayor’s Fellowship for Performing Arts (2001) Alrene Sykes Memorial Prize for Australian Literature (1997) She has supervised PhD and Masters students in topics ranging from multilingual theatre-making to Indigenous community control in arts practice. As Chair of Belloo Creative, she leads initiatives like the 2025 Back to Bilo premiere across major festivals.
Tin Kei Wong is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide , affiliated with the School of Social Sciences under the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics. She specializes in the Department of Asian Studies , focusing on historical translation studies and cultural heritage. Appointments : Senior Lecturer, University of Adelaide Education : PhD in Translation Studies (The University of Queensland), MA in Translation (The University of Hong Kong) Her research explores translation studies , intangible cultural heritage , and intercultural communication , with recent publications analyzing Australian beach safety signage translation, Hong Kong literature, and gender dynamics in missionary translations. She has secured grants from institutions like the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office and the University of Adelaide to advance her work. Scientific awards include the Joseph C.K. Yeung 'Rising Stars of 21st Century' Award and visiting fellowships at Academia Sinica and the National Library of Australia . She supervises postgraduate students in translation and cultural communication, while teaching courses in Chinese-English translation and TIS.
Martin Borchert is a researcher affiliated with Queensland University of Technology (QUT), focusing on academic support systems and digital infrastructure. His work spans 2004-2015 with key contributions in: Research data management capability development Institutional open access repository implementation E-book business model analysis Digital repository integration with learning systems Research Trends : Recent publications (2011-2015) emphasize university digital transformation, with specific attention to: Research data governance frameworks Open access publishing strategies Library staff preparation for digital research support Collaborative service models for academic communities Academic Collaborations : Partnered with colleagues across diverse domains including: QUT Library (multiple departments) IATUL (International Association of Technical and Scientific Librarians) Australian Library and Information Association conferences
Claire Henderson-Wilson is an Associate Professor at Deakin University's School of Health and Social Development within the Faculty of Health. She leads the Health, Nature and Sustainability Research Group and serves as Discipline Leader for the Health, Environment and Society team. Doctor of Philosophy (Deakin University) Graduate Certificate of Higher Education (Deakin University) Bachelor of Applied Science (Deakin University) Her research focuses on people-environment relationships influencing health and wellbeing, particularly: Housing and health Families and environmental health Health benefits of contact with nature Climate change impacts on mental health Recent publications explore planetary health, animal-assisted interventions, and climate change adaptation. She has received awards including the 2016 Deakin Vice Chancellor's Award and the 2018 Green Impact Award . Supervision includes doctoral candidates working on: Climate change and mental health Nature-based rehabilitation Therapeutic horticulture Virtual reality wellness Grants include collaborations with the State Library of Victoria, Parks Victoria, and Horticulture Innovation Australia. She contributes to professional activities through conference organizing and peer review.
Dr. Melinda Kong serves as a Senior Lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, Malaysia, within the Faculty of Business, Design and Arts. Her academic leadership extends across multiple roles including Course Director of MA (TESOL), Associate Dean (Academic Practice) of the Faculty of Language and Communication, and Associate Head of the School of Language and Foundation. Dr. Kong's educational journey includes a PhD in Education from the University of Melbourne, a Master of Arts in TESOL from the Institute of Education, University College London, and a Bachelor of Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (1st Class Honours) from the University of Southampton. All degrees were obtained under full scholarships, demonstrating her academic excellence from the outset of her career. Her research program centers on education, teacher education, internationalisation of higher education, identity, agency, international students, and language learning strategies. Dr. Kong's work particularly examines the complex interplay between language, identity, and education in cross-cultural contexts, with a focus on Asian teachers and students navigating international educational environments. Dr. Kong's scholarly contributions include numerous refereed journal articles, book chapters, and a monograph published by Routledge. Her publications reveal consistent research productivity with a clear thematic focus on teacher identity, language learning strategies, and international student experiences across diverse educational settings. Melbourne International Research Scholarship Melbourne International Fee Remission Melbourne Graduate School of Education – studentship Melbourne Graduate School of Education – publication grant Award for excellent service from the Ministry of Education, Malaysia Full scholarship from the Ministry of Education, Malaysia As a supervisor and academic leader, Dr. Kong brings extensive experience from her roles on the Academic Board and as a convener of diverse subjects. Her current research projects funded by the Sarawak Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research, the Sarawak State Library, and Sarawak Information System Sdn. Bhd. provide opportunities for collaboration and practical application of research findings. Her commitment to both theoretical scholarship and practical educational improvement makes her a valuable mentor for graduate students interested in language education and international education contexts.
Professor Joel Mackay is a physical biochemist at the University of Sydney, where he holds the Chair of the Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology cluster in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences and serves as President of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Since arriving in 1995 he has built an internationally recognised laboratory focused on protein structure–function, gene regulation and designer peptide engineering, supported by ~$30 M of competitive funding. Education: PhD — University of Cambridge, UK (1994) Research interests: The Mackay group deciphers how proteins work at the molecular level, concentrating on two synergistic themes: Molecular mechanisms that govern eukaryotic gene expression, with emphasis on transcription factors, chromatin remodelers (CHD4/NuRD), epigenetic modifications and zinc-finger domains. Exploitation of cutting-edge library-display technologies to create bespoke peptides and mini-proteins that modulate challenging therapeutic targets such as BET bromodomains. Methodologically the lab integrates molecular biology, cell biology, biophysics and structural techniques (NMR, X-ray crystallography, SPR, AUC, MST, XL-MS) and has access to 600 & 800 MHz NMR, crystallisation, fermentation and proteomics facilities. Major discoveries: First demonstration that zinc-finger domains can act as protein–protein interaction modules, overturning the dogma that they bind only nucleic acids. Elucidation of how acetylation of the transcription factor GATA1 recruits the epigenetic reader BRD3, providing early mechanistic insight into post-translational control of transcription factors. Structural and functional characterisation of AHSP, the long-sought chaperone for α-globin, illuminating molecular bases of β-thalassemia and sickle-cell disease. Scientific honours: Biophysics Young Investigator Award 1997 Roche Molecular Biochemicals Medal 2001 Science Minister’s Prize for Life Sciences (under 35) 2002 ANZMAG Young Investigator Medal 2002 Gottschalk Medal (AAS) 2006 Labgear Discovery Science Award 2016 ARC & NHMRC Research Fellowships (1995-2019) Leadership & grants: Prof. Mackay has secured continuous national (ARC DP, Linkage, ITTC; NHMRC Project & Program) and international (NIH R01) funding totalling ~$30 M. He currently leads a 40-member academic cluster and mentors five doctoral researchers working on epigenetic inheritance, hemoglobinopathies, pollinator protection and chromatin dynamics. Collaborations & infrastructure: Active partnerships with groups in Germany, New Zealand, the USA and the UK leverage the University of Sydney’s flagship institutes—Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Centre for Drug Discovery Innovation and Sydney Nano—to translate fundamental protein discoveries into agricultural, medical and biotechnological applications.
Leonie Rutherford is an Honorary Associate Professor at Deakin University's School of Communication and Creative Arts (Faculty of Arts and Education). With a PhD from the Australian National University and a BA from the University of Western Australia, her 30-year academic career includes roles as Senior Lecturer/Lecturer at the University of New England (1992–2008) and Deakin University (2008–present). She leads the Teenagers Reading and Digital Practices Research Group and collaborates with Crisis Energy Publication Syndicate and The Warrnambool Collective. Her research examines: Children's/youth media and digital literacies Multiplatform storytelling and publishing history Social media reading cultures (BookTok/Bookstagram) Media impacts on health/educational outcomes Recent publications (2020–2024) focus on digital reading practices, YA publishing economics, and teen engagement with books via social platforms. Her work advocates for inclusive publishing and library policies responsive to digital trends. She has secured significant funding, including: ARC Linkage Grant: 'Discovering a good read' ($346K, 2019–2022) Copyright Agency grants for teen reading studies ($99K+) NHMRC funding for health interventions ($67K, 2013–2015) Rutherford has supervised 11 PhD students to completion, focusing on YA literature, digital narratives, and literacy education. She leads the Teenagers Reading and Digital Practices lab ( teenreading.net ), which studies how Australian teens discover books and build digital reading communities.
Dr Sara James is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at La Trobe University's College of Arts, Social Sciences and Commerce. Her academic work spans cultural sociology, wellbeing research, and higher education pedagogy with a focus on contemporary social challenges. Her research centers on work, wellbeing, and social change in late modernity. Key projects include: a major study of Baby Boomer women's wellbeing focusing on unpaid work; qualitative research on bibliotherapy practices in Australia; and the 'Shared Reading for Wellbeing and Social Inclusion' project (2022-2023) with Yarra Libraries, VMIAC, and Manningham Council. She investigates how cultural narratives shape identity through work, aging, and pandemic experiences. Her research output shows strong thematic continuity across three domains: Work and Identity: Exploring precarious employment, career uncertainty, and 'meaningful work' discourse through cultural analysis of media and interviews Wellbeing Interventions: Developing community-based approaches like shared reading groups and bibliotherapy for social inclusion Higher Education: Focusing on first-year student transitions, career aspirations, and innovative curriculum design Her scientific recognition includes: Journal of Sociology 'best paper' award (2024) for pandemic discourse analysis Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence (2017) Four teaching awards total, reflecting her commitment to student engagement James demonstrates exceptional integration of research and teaching through textbook authorship ( Sociology in Today's World , Key Concepts in Humanities ) and curriculum development for subjects like 'Sociology in Action' and 'Rethinking our Humanity'. Her collaborative approach spans community organizations, interdisciplinary teams, and international research networks.
Associate Professor Kristin Demetrious is a faculty member in the School of Communication and Creative Arts at Deakin University's Faculty of Arts and Education. She holds the position of Associate Professor of Communication and serves as editor-in-chief for the Q1 peer-reviewed journal Public Relations Inquiry (Sage Publications). Dr. Demetrious earned her PhD from Deakin University in 2007, along with a Graduate Diploma of Applied Film & Television from Swinburne University of Technology, a Bachelor of Arts from Deakin University, and a Diploma of Education from La Trobe University. Her educational background reflects her interdisciplinary approach to communication studies. Her research focuses on critical public relations, examining the complex relationship between media, communication, culture, and social change. She investigates post-war public relations, PR as neoliberalism, political communication, digital culture, public relations history, public interest communication, activist PR, civil activism, corporate PR, climate change communication, communicative ethics, and critical discourse and cultural studies. Her current projects include investigating US post-war public relations and Australia's foreign policy, as well as tracing challenges to conventional readings of PR from the 1970s onwards and the rise of climate change denial. Professor Demetrious has published extensively in her field, with her 2022 book receiving a 'Highly Recommended' designation from the American Library Association CHOICE. Her 2013 monograph won the National Communication Association Book Award in 2014, demonstrating significant scholarly impact. Centenary of Federation Medal from Australian Government (2003) Deakin University Teacher of the Year (2008) WJC Banks Award (2008) VC's Award for Distinguished Teaching (2008) Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation (2009) National Communication Association Book Award (2014) As an academic leader, Professor Demetrious has served as Faculty Chair of Human Ethics Advisory Group (2014-2016) and Higher Degree by Research Co-ordinator for the School of Communication and Creative Arts (2023-2024). She is actively involved in research groups including the Centre for Contemporary Histories (CCH) and the Centre for Regenerating Futures (CRF), supervising Masters by Research and PhD students while contributing to the broader academic community through editorial and leadership roles.
