Professor Jo Barraket is a leading academic and researcher in social equity, social innovation, and public policy. As Director of the Melbourne Social Equity Institute and member of the Dilun Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership, she focuses on improving social equity through organizational innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and policy design. Her research addresses social procurement, health equity, digital inclusion, and employment pathways for marginalized groups. Her work includes landmark projects such as the Australian Digital Inclusion Index and evaluations of Commonwealth Social Enterprise Development Funds. She has secured over $11M in research grants, including multiple ARC grants, and produced over 75 scholarly publications. Her current projects compare social procurement policies in Australia and Scotland, and study youth unemployment in construction via employment-focused procurement. Key research themes include: social enterprise scaling strategies, cross-sector partnerships for policy implementation, and the role of philanthropy in equitable housing. She advises governments and OECD on inclusive employment policies and chairs major research initiatives like the Social Enterprise Impact Lab. Prof Barraket’s transdisciplinary approach combines rigorous academic research with practical outputs like policy guides and digital tools to maximize societal impact. She previously founded the Centre for Social Impact Swinburne, now a global leader in social economy research.
Janine O'Flynn is the Director of the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University (ANU) since 2023. Previously, she held the position of Professor of Public Management at the University of Melbourne and served as a visiting professor at institutions like City University Hong Kong and Fudan University. Her research focuses on public management reform, governance relationships, and ethical policy-making. Notable contributions include work on public value creation, performance management systems, and positive public administration. She has authored over 75 publications, including Pathways to Positive Public Administration (2024) and co-edited the Research Handbook on Public Management and COVID-19 (2024). O'Flynn has received prestigious awards such as the National Academy of Public Administration Fellowship (2022) and the Best Book Award at the Academy of Management (2013). She actively advises governments globally and chairs research committees for organizations like the Centre for Public Impact. Education: PhD (Melbourne), Bachelor of Commerce (Hons., Melbourne). Key Roles: Editorial Board Member: Public Administration , Public Management Review , and others Board of Directors, Public Management Research Association Advisory Board, Victorian Public Sector Commission Research Focus: Public sector reform, governance ethics, policy complexity, and agile government frameworks.
Bunty Avieson is a Senior Lecturer in Journalism and Media at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. She holds a PhD and MPhil from Macquarie University, specializing in media theory and literary analysis. Her research focuses on Bhutanese media development, Wikipedia's societal impact, and the intersection of journalism with literary practices. PhD Thesis: Media development in Bhutan during its democratic transition MPhil: 'The Poetics of Paranoia' exploring self-construction through Derrida and Nagarjuna Research Interests: Her work spans media policy in Bhutan, Wikipedia's role in knowledge equity, and the ethics of memoir writing. She has published extensively on Bhutan's media evolution and co-edited volumes on memory mediation and trauma narratives. Articles Trends: Recent work examines lifestyle journalism identity, Wikipedia's pandemic-era contributions, and Bhutan's unique digital media strategies. Earlier research explored Bhutan's transition from oral traditions to social media under Gross National Happiness principles. Awards: Vice-Chancellor's PhD Commendation (2013), Ned Kelly Awards for crime fiction (2001-2003) Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator in the Bhutan-Wiki Project (DECRA-funded), co-developed the Australian Colonial Narrative Journalism Database. Received grants for Tamil diaspora storytelling and Bhutan media studies. Professional Roles: Wikimedia Australia Vice President, member of journalism education associations, and former editor of Woman's Day.
Professor Jennifer Whitty is an applied health economist at the University of East Anglia , affiliated with the Norwich Medical School and the Centre of Research Excellence in Telehealth . Her research bridges health economics, patient preferences, and health policy, with a focus on quality of life valuation and economic evaluation. Education: Doctor of Philosophy (Griffith University, 2008), Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy (University of Queensland, 2002), Bachelor of Pharmacy (University of Wales, 1992) Her work emphasizes person-centered methodologies , particularly discrete choice experiments, to evaluate patient and public preferences for healthcare delivery and outcomes. Key research areas include: Treatment burden and quality of life in chronic diseases like cystic fibrosis Economic evaluation of pharmaceuticals and health technologies Asset-based approaches to community health Priority-setting frameworks in health policy Prof. Whitty has secured over AU$27 million in research funding from organizations including the NHMRC and National Institute for Health and Care Research , and serves on editorial boards for Medical Decision Making and Applied Health Economics and Health Policy .
Professor Marilyn Pittard is a leading academic in the Faculty of Law at Monash University, currently serving as Associate Dean Engagement. She has held numerous leadership roles including Interim Dean, LLM Director, and Associate Dean (Research), with a career spanning over two decades in academic administration and legal scholarship. Her research focuses on Labour Law, Employment Rights, and Human Rights, with significant contributions to understanding workplace relations, vulnerable workers, and the intersection of criminal records with employment access. She has secured grants from the Australian Research Council and other institutions for projects like The Other Side of Security and Living Down the Past . Recent publications highlight trends in employment law, including anti-slavery practices, redundancy frameworks, and digital-era workplace challenges. She chairs the Victorian Legal Admissions Board’s Academic Course Appraisal Committee and contributes to the Australian Labour Law Journal and Employment Law Bulletin .
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 .
Felicity McArdle is a Professor in the Department of Early Childhood Education within the Faculty of Education at Queensland University of Technology. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, her work centers on reimagining early childhood pedagogy through critical lenses of social justice, art education, and play-based learning. Her research has significantly influenced Australian early childhood policy and practice. McArdle's research interests demonstrate a consistent commitment to transformative education. She critically examines how art and play function as vehicles for social justice, challenging neoliberal discourses in early childhood education. Her work on refugee children's artistic expression and anti-bias curriculum development reveals her dedication to equity-oriented pedagogy. Through collaborative drawing methodologies and visual research approaches, she has pioneered innovative ways of understanding children's perspectives. Her publication trends reveal a sophisticated evolution from foundational work on visual arts in education (2001-2010) toward increasingly critical examinations of power, policy, and social justice (2011-2021). The consistent citation impact of her work—particularly her 2002 paper 'Early Childhood Art Education: A Palimpsest' with over 13,000 citations—demonstrates her field-defining contributions to reconceptualizing art education as critical praxis. McArdle has held significant editorial roles including co-editing the influential 2013 volume 'Young Children, Pedagogy and the Arts' and serving on the editorial board of Australian Journal of Early Childhood. Her collaborations with leading scholars like Susan Grieshaber, Jennifer Sumsion, and Linda Knight have produced seminal work on intentional teaching and play-based learning. Her research methodology expertise centers on visual and arts-based approaches, particularly collaborative drawing techniques that engage children as active research participants. This methodological innovation reflects her commitment to ethical research practices that honor children's agency while generating meaningful insights about early childhood experiences.
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).
Maslathif Dwi Purnomo is affiliated with Charles Sturt University, serving as a PhD co-supervisor within the Gulbali Research Institute under the discipline of Social Work and Arts. His role involves internal HDR supervision, contributing to advanced research training and academic mentorship. His research interests center on the intersection of language, politics, and power, with a regional focus on Indonesia. Key areas include: Discourse and political communication Multimodal analysis of public speeches Sociolinguistics and language in institutional power Indonesian political discourse, especially presidential rhetoric The supervision activity recorded indicates engagement in high-level academic mentoring, particularly in qualitative and critical linguistic approaches to political events. While no publications are listed, the thematic focus of the supervised thesis suggests strong expertise in linguistic analysis of political narratives. He has contributed to national-level research recognition through supervisory roles, though no scientific awards are documented. His academic service includes mentoring HDR candidates, specifically co-supervising research on President Jokowi's speeches. Maslathif Dwi Purnomo is associated with the Gulbali Research Institute, a multidisciplinary research center focusing on social impact, equity, and community engagement, particularly in regional Australia and Southeast Asia.
Professor Khin Than Win is a leading academic in health informatics and digital health at the University of Wollongong (UOW), holding appointments as Professor in the School of Computing and Information Technology, Head of Postgraduate Studies, and Deputy Head (Research). She also serves as Academic Program Director for UOW's Master of Health Informatics and Graduate Certificate in Health Analytics programs. Her research focuses on applying information technology to healthcare, particularly in behavior change support systems, persuasive technology, and ethical AI applications. She has supervised over 20 PhD students and holds leadership roles including Deputy Chair of UOW's Health and Medical Research Ethics Committee, and membership in international committees like the Persuasive Technology Steering Committee. Education: MBBS from Rangoon University, Master's and PhD in IT from Assumption University (Bangkok) and UOW (Australia) Research Interests: Health data analytics, AI in healthcare, privacy/security of health systems Leadership: Program/General Chair roles at ACIS and Persuasive Technology conferences Awards: Best Paper Awards (2023, 2018) Her extensive funding portfolio includes ARC grants and NHMRC projects, totaling over 24 funded initiatives. Current research explores blockchain in medical passports, AI ethics, and culturally tailored health interventions.
Dr. Alyas Widita is an Assistant Professor in the Urban Design program at Monash University, Indonesia. He is actively involved in research and teaching, focusing on urban planning, transportation, and smart city technologies. He serves as the Program Coordinator for Urban Design and teaches courses such as Urban Design Studio: Smart City and Smart City Technologies. Education: Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States Dr. Widita's research centers on the built environment, transportation systems, and urban analytics, with a strong emphasis on developing Asian cities. His work explores congestion impacts of mass transit, ride-hailing effects on vehicle ownership, rural-urban migration, walking behavior, and spatial patterns of MSMEs. He employs advanced data analytics and causal evaluation methods to inform urban policy. His recent publications span high-impact journals such as Transport Reviews , Journal of Planning Education and Research , and Travel Behaviour and Society . The research trend shows a consistent focus on data-driven urban policy, sustainable mobility, and equity in urban development across Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Scientific Awards and Recognition: No specific awards listed, but research widely cited and featured in media outlets. Dr. Widita has secured and contributed to multiple research projects funded by international and national agencies, including the World Bank, Korea Transport Institute (KOTI), Central Bank of Indonesia, and Georgia Department of Transportation. He is currently leading or co-leading projects on Jakarta’s subsidence, flood risk management using remote sensing, and the Citarum River revitalization. He collaborates extensively with researchers across disciplines and institutions. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to sustainable cities and communities. He is accepting PhD students interested in the built environment, transportation, and urban analytics in developing Asia. He is involved in key labs and research teams including the Citarum Action Research Program (CARP), Intelligent and Dynamic Remote Sensing for Flood Risk, and interdisciplinary urban analytics initiatives at Monash Indonesia.
Professor Peter Billings is a Professor at the School of Law, The University of Queensland, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. His expertise spans Administrative Law, Immigration and Refugee Law, Social Welfare Law, and Human Rights Law. He has received numerous awards, including the Australian Award for University Teaching (2016) and the Vice Chancellor's Equity and Diversity Award (2011). His research focuses on crimmigration, refugee protection, and the corrosive effects of immigration detention laws. Professor Billings has published extensively on topics such as refugee law, preventive justice, and the intersection of criminal and immigration law. Education: Bachelor of Law and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Southampton. Research Interests Immigration and Refugee Law Crimmigration (intersection of criminal and immigration law) Administrative Justice and Law Social Welfare Law Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Issues Media Expertise Regular contributor to The Guardian and ABC Radio National, providing expert commentary on immigration detention, refugee policies, and human rights. Grants and Funding Building research capacity for quantitative analysis of Indigenous poverty (2011–2013) Critical evaluation of administrative rules (2011–2013) Aboriginal protection laws study (2008–2009) Supervision Currently supervising PhD projects on refugee employment integration, immigration detention governance, and international law on migrant smuggling. Key Contributions Authored Regulating Refugee Protection through Social Welfare (2023) and contributed to pivotal discussions on immigration detention's societal impacts. His work informs policy reforms and legal frameworks in Australia.
Professor Gene Bawden is a communication designer and Head of the Department of Design at Monash University’s Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (MADA). He holds a PhD in Design focusing on Australian domestic spaces and cultural identity. His work bridges design practice and research, emphasizing gender equity in urban environments through collaborative projects like the XYX Lab. Key contributions include developing design thinking curricula, leading the D-Lab’s material tools for spatial inquiry, and co-designing safety initiatives for public transport and urban spaces. Education: PhD in Design (2015), Monash University, specializing in 'Comfort and Judgement: Nineteenth Century Advice Manuals and the Scripting of Australian Identity'. Research Interests: Gendered spatial practices, design thinking methodologies, material and visual narratives of belonging, and co-design strategies for mitigating urban gender inequity. His projects include the 'Safer Cities Crowd Mapping' initiative and the WHO-guided 'Design for Impact' toolkit. Awards: Recipient of the 2018 Dean’s Award for Research Impact, 2020 Good Design Award for 'Yours, Mine, Ours', and multiple recognitions for urban design projects addressing gender safety. Advising: Graduate supervisor for design research students. Grants: Principal investigator on projects totaling over AUD 2M, including the 'Gender-sensitive training for safe communities' and 'Co-designing health futures' initiatives. Labs/Teams: Founding director of D-Lab and core member of XYX Lab, which focus on design-driven solutions for gender equity in urban environments. Notable collaborations include the 'HyperSext City' exhibition and 'Keep Running' public safety campaigns.
Professor Will Bateman is a distinguished academic at the Australian National University (ANU) College of Law, where he serves as a Professor and recently completed his term as Associate Dean (Research) from 2021 to 2024. He is also a Chief Investigator for the ANU Grand Challenge project "Humanising Machine Intelligence" and a Fellow at the Gradient Institute, a leading ethical AI research organization based in Sydney. Professor Bateman's educational background is impressive, having earned a PhD and LLM (Hons) from the University of Cambridge and a BA/LLB (Hons) from the Australian National University. Prior to his academic career, he worked in appellate litigation, commercial disputes, and banking as a solicitor at Herbert Smith Freehills, and served as an associate to Justice Stephen Gageler AC of the High Court of Australia and Justice Steven Rares of the Federal Court of Australia. Professor Bateman's research spans two major interdisciplinary domains that sit at the intersection of law with finance and technology. His work on financial regulation focuses on the legal aspects of central banking, sovereign debt markets, digital currencies, and sustainable investing. He has provided expert evidence to the UK Parliament's House of Lords Inquiry into Quantitative Easing, and has collaborated with major financial institutions including the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Bank of England. His research on artificial intelligence examines regulatory frameworks for AI in the public sector, with collaborations including the Minderoo Foundation and the Gradient Institute. His recent publications demonstrate a remarkable breadth across legal theory, financial regulation, and AI governance. The articles reveal a consistent theme of examining how traditional legal frameworks adapt to new financial technologies and monetary policy challenges. His work bridges theoretical legal scholarship with practical policy implications, as evidenced by his numerous government consultations and collaborations with central banks worldwide. 2020 Yorke Prize by the University of Cambridge for his work on public finance and constitutionalism Top 10 all-time most downloaded SSRN paper on central banking ("Central Bank Money: Liability, Asset, or Equity of the Nation?") Professor Bateman actively supervises research students, currently mentoring Benjamin Ettinger who is pursuing a PhD on "Legal Method, Cartels and Public Monopolies: A View From the High Court 1908 - 1948." He has secured significant research funding, including projects funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (UK), the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), and The Minderoo Foundation. His "Rebuilding Macroeconomics Initiative: Legal and Economic Conceptions of Money" received £245,000, while the "FA Mann" project was funded with €620,000 (approximately A$1,012,500). He leads the "Humanising Machine Intelligence" project, an ambitious interdisciplinary initiative involving computer scientists, mathematicians, philosophers, sociologists, psychologists, and lawyers aimed at developing democratically legitimate machine intelligence. He also co-led a major project with the University of Western Australia to formulate model legal frameworks for AI regulation in the public sector, funded by The Minderoo Foundation.
Dr Luke Hespanhol is a Senior Lecturer in Design and Computation at the University of Sydney's School of Architecture, Design and Planning. He is affiliated with the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre and Sydney Nano Institute, and previously served as a guest researcher at Aarhus University's Department of Aesthetics and Communication. His work focuses on interactive media installations that foster reflection on human-environment relationships, blending urban design, technology, and social engagement. He holds a PhD in interactive media architecture from the University of Sydney's Design Lab, with research exploring user-centred hybrid urban environments. His doctoral work laid the foundation for his current interests in digital placemaking, urban informatics, and smart cities. Research Interests: - Designing technology-infused public spaces - Media architecture as a tool for inclusive urban development - Ethical implications of AI and blockchain in cultural contexts - Temporal and spatial dimensions of urban interaction design - HCI methodologies for multiperspectival cultural heritage interpretation - Antifragile city frameworks integrating citizen participation His recent publications highlight trends in reimagining urban futures through speculative design, ethical AI systems, and autonomous vehicle interaction paradigms. While no specific scientific awards are listed, his work often addresses critical societal issues like decolonization in technology and climate-resilient infrastructure. Grants and Collaborations: - 2025: 'Waste to Resilience: Sanitation Against Stunting and Climate Vulnerability in Informal Coastal Areas' (Sydney Southeast Asia Centre) - 2022: 'The Metaverse as Vehicle for Aboriginal Digital Inclusion, Wellness and Self-Determination' (Facebook Research) Dr Hespanhol is actively involved in the Media Architecture Institute and contributes to cross-disciplinary initiatives uniting technology, art, and urban planning. His research emphasizes co-creation processes with communities to ensure equitable technological integration in urban systems.
