Nicholas Evans is Distinguished Professor of Linguistics and Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language (CoEDL) at the Australian National University’s School of Culture, History & Language. His work bridges fieldwork-based language documentation with theoretical questions in typology, cultural evolution, and social cognition. Focus on endangered Australian and Papuan languages Director of ARC Laureate Project on 'The Wellsprings of Linguistic Diversity' Co-leader of SCOPIC (Social Cognition Parallax Corpus) study Collaborator in global linguistic diversity initiatives His research explores how micro-level community multilingualism shapes macro-level linguistic diversity, with fieldwork spanning seven years in remote Indigenous communities. Recent projects include PARABANK (paradigm syncretism analysis) and Southern New Guinea language studies, particularly Nen and Yam family languages. Scientific recognition includes the Ken Hale Award (Linguistic Society of America), Anneliese Maier Forschungspreis, and fellowships in the Australian Academy of Humanities, Australian Social Sciences Academy, and the British Academy.
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.
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.
Professor Jiti Gao is a Donald Cochrane Chair in Econometrics & Business Statistics at Monash University's Faculty of Business and Economics. He leads the Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics, specializing in non- and semi-parametric econometrics, time-series analysis, and panel data methodologies. His research focuses on developing statistical models for climate change, energy demand, and financial forecasting. Affiliations: Monash University, Impact Labs Grants: Multiple ARC Discovery Projects (e.g., 2020–2025 on climate-energy time series, 2017–2020 on econometric model building) Collaborations: CSIRO, Yale University, and international partners from China, Norway, and Singapore Research interests include climate econometrics, financial time series, and policy evaluation. Over 136 publications span econometric theory and applications, with recent work on nonlinear trending models and quantile regression. His grants emphasize methodological advancements in time series and panel data analysis. Awards: Not explicitly mentioned, but recognition includes Australian Professorial Fellow status and international research leadership roles. Advising/Grants: Primary Investigator on multiple ARC-funded projects, focusing on climate modeling and financial econometrics Labs/Teams: Part of Monash's Impact Labs and collaborates with global institutions on climate and econometric initiatives
Professor Anthony Richardson is a mathematical ecologist at the University of Queensland , holding a joint position with CSIRO Environment since 2005. He leads the Mathematical Marine Ecology Lab , focusing on marine conservation through mathematical, statistical, and computational modeling. School of the Environment, Faculty of Science, University of Queensland Affiliate, Centre for Marine Science Affiliate, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science Research Interests span marine spatial planning (climate-smart protected areas, 3D ocean zoning), marine ecosystem modeling (lower trophic levels, plankton-dynamics), and climate change impacts (carbon sequestration, fisheries productivity, and marine diseases). His work has been cited in IPCC Assessment Reports and emphasizes international collaboration through projects like the Global Working Group on Climate Change Synthesis . Recent Publications focus on Zooplankton's role in carbon cycling Climate-smart marine protected area design Ecosystem modeling under climate uncertainty Marine megafauna connectivity patterns Supervision is offered for >250 peer-reviewed papers and advanced projects in climate-smart conservation planning, with established funding from ARC Discovery Projects and Norwegian Polar Institute .
Dr. Matthew Brookhouse is a Senior Lecturer at the Fenner School of Environment & Society, part of the Australian National University's Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions. With a PhD in Dendroclimatology from ANU, he specializes in using forest structural complexity and tree-ring analysis to understand climate interactions and ecological responses in Australian subalpine environments. Research Focus: Sub-alpine ecology, Dendrochronology, CO2 responsiveness in eucalypt species Teaching: First-year research methods with emphasis on statistical application, advanced modeling and field botany Projects: Leading collaborative snow-gum dieback research and dendrochronological monitoring initiatives His publications span 2006-2025 with recent emphasis on machine learning applications for forest monitoring, tropical tree-ring chronologies for climate change, and climate sensitivity in Australian alpine ecosystems. Key collaborations include institutions like Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and University of Canberra researchers. Current projects focus on snow-gum woodland dieback mechanisms, high-resolution dendrometric monitoring, and integrating dendrochronology with environmental policy frameworks. He maintains active supervision of research students and contributes to both undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum development.
Xuan Liang is a Lecturer in Statistics at the Research School of Finance, Actuarial Studies and Statistics (RSFAS), Australian National University. With a PhD from Peking University and postdoctoral experience at Monash University, his research focuses on spatial statistics, nonparametric modeling, and environmental data analysis. Education: PhD in Statistics (Peking University, 2017), BSc in Statistics (Zhejiang University, 2012) His work addresses methodological challenges in spatial panel data analysis, network modeling, and air pollution quantification. He has developed novel techniques for meteorological confounder adjustment in air quality assessments and contributed to distributed data analysis methods. Recent research trends include: Advancing quasi-score matching for spatial econometric models Improving subbagging algorithms for big data Creating robust distributed data aggregation frameworks Refining spatial autoregressive panel data methodologies Scientific contributions include: ANU Vice-Chancellor’s Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (Early Career), 2022 CBE Teaching Commendation for Outstanding Teaching, 2020 Co-development of the ggmatplot R package for matrix visualization Co-inventor of Chinese patent 201811183512.0 for air quality assessment He teaches advanced courses in time series analysis, regression modeling, and mathematical statistics at ANU, while maintaining active research collaborations in econometrics and environmental statistics.
Lindell Bromham is a Professor at the Research School of Biology , Australian National University, focusing on evolutionary biology, cultural evolution, and interdisciplinary research. Their work spans genomic mutation rates to global linguistic diversity, with notable projects on language endangerment and Galton’s problem in cross-cultural studies. Broad research themes: evolutionary biology, cultural evolution, macroecology, linguistics Key contributions: interdisciplinary funding disparities, language evolution models, parasite-culture interactions Recent articles emphasize language endangerment risk factors, methodological innovations in cross-cultural analysis, and population size effects on language evolution. Awards include Eureka Prize Finalist (2021) and media recognition in Nature and New Scientist . Supervises students in evolutionary and linguistic research.
Professor Luke Prendergast is the Deputy Dean of the School of Computing, Engineering & Mathematical Sciences (SCEMS) at La Trobe University (LTU) and holds a Professorship in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. He previously served as Head of Department (2014–2020) and led LTU's Statistics Consulting Platform. His research focuses on robust statistics, meta-analysis, dimension reduction, and applied statistics, leading the DRAMA research group. Collaborations span fields like endocrinology, disability studies, and respiratory health. He actively contributes to research grants, including projects on Prader-Willi syndrome and exercise for disability populations. Professor Prendergast's recent work emphasizes statistical software development (e.g., the rquest package) and applications in biostatistics, such as metabolomics analysis and health intervention fidelity. His articles address topics like quantile-based hypothesis testing, geospatial accessibility for disability care, and motivational interviewing efficacy. Professional roles include NHMRC grant review panels, editorial boards for Nutrients and Respirology , and leadership in the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA Vic). His teaching includes courses in meta-analysis, linear models, and data-based critical thinking. Grants funded projects on exercise programs for cerebral palsy populations and community-university partnerships for disability inclusion. Luke's work bridges statistical theory with real-world health challenges, emphasizing robust methodologies and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Professor Anna Marie Munster is a distinguished academic and artist at UNSW Art and Design (College of Fine Arts), where she has held a full-time tenured position since 2001. Her work bridges theoretical scholarship with creative practice, establishing her as a leading figure in digital media art and critical theory. University: University of New South Wales School: College of Fine Arts (UNSW Art and Design) Position: Professor Qualifications: PhD from UNSW (2002), BA (Class 1 Hons with University Medal) from University of Sydney (1984) Professor Munster's research explores the intersections of art, technology, and philosophy, with particular focus on statistical visuality, radical empiricism, the politics and aesthetics of machine learning, and more-than-human perception. Her work integrates process philosophy with contemporary media practices, examining how time, movement, and sonicity shape our experience of digital environments. She approaches these topics through both theoretical scholarship and creative practice, often collaborating with artist Michele Barker on multi-channel audiovisual installations. Her publications reveal a consistent trajectory exploring the relationship between embodiment and digital media, with recent work focusing on AI and machine learning in cultural contexts. Munster's creative output demonstrates sophisticated integration of technical innovation with philosophical inquiry, particularly in how her installations challenge conventional perceptions of time and space. ARC, UNSW Student Council Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Supervision (2017) Dean's Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Supervision (2015) Highly commended for Materializing New Media at Prix Ars Electronica (2008) Winner of National Digital Art Awards 'The Harries' (2006) University Press of New England Publishing Award (2005) Professor Munster has completed over 20 PhD and Masters supervisions at UNSW and been involved in another 10 secondary supervisions. She currently supervises five PhD candidates working on diverse topics including coding materialities, critical bio-textiles, schizophrenia and XR technologies, sound and resonance, and affective drawing. Her ARC-funded research projects demonstrate sustained commitment to interdisciplinary work, particularly at the intersection of art, science, and technology. Her creative practice with Michele Barker has resulted in numerous commissioned installations exploring perception, embodiment, and the relationship between humans and technology.
Owen Price is an Associate Professor and Director in Bushfire Risk Management at the School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS), University of Wollongong. His roles include leading research on wildfire impacts on ecosystems, human health, and infrastructure. He holds a PhD from the Australian National University (1998), an MSc from the University of Strathclyde (1986), and a BSc (hons) from the University of York (1985). Director, Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfire (since 2020) Principal Fellow, SEALS (2019–2021) His research integrates fieldwork, GIS/remote sensing, and statistical modeling to address landscape-scale wildfire risks. Key interests include fire severity effects on biodiversity, smoke pollution impacts, and cost-effective fire management strategies. He supervises postgraduate students in topics like coastal wetland vulnerability and fire regime analysis. Recent grants include studies on coastal wetlands' fire resilience (2023–2026), Bayesian fire spread modeling (2023–2026), and evaluating aerial firefighting efficacy (2023). His work bridges ecological, social, and technical dimensions of wildfire risk. Notable awards and recognitions are not explicitly listed in the provided materials. His contributions to fire policy and community adaptation are highlighted through collaborative projects with government and environmental agencies.
Dr. Bo Liu is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where he serves as a core member and director of the AI Security and Privacy (AISP) Research Lab at the Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute (AAII). With expertise spanning cybersecurity, privacy protection, AI and machine learning, and wireless communications, Dr. Liu has established himself as a leading researcher in the field of AI security and privacy. Dr. Liu earned his PhD from the Department of Electronic Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2010. His academic journey at UTS has progressed from Senior Lecturer (November 2019-December 2022) to his current position as Associate Professor (January 2023-present). Dr. Liu's research focuses on the critical intersection of artificial intelligence and security, particularly addressing emerging threats in the age of advanced AI systems. His work spans multiple dimensions of security and privacy, including deepfake detection, privacy-preserving data synthesis, AI model security, and fair machine learning. He has pioneered approaches to detect AI-generated content, protect visual privacy through de-identification techniques, and address the complex relationship between algorithmic fairness and privacy preservation. His publication record demonstrates significant contributions across multiple cutting-edge research areas, with particular emphasis on detecting and mitigating threats from generative AI systems. His recent work reveals a strong focus on deepfake detection across multiple modalities (images, video, and audio), privacy-preserving techniques for sensitive data, and the security implications of emerging AI architectures like Retrieval-Augmented Generation systems. Dr. Liu has secured substantial research funding, including as Lead Chief Investigator on multiple ARC Discovery and Linkage Projects, totaling over $3.5 million AUD. His industry collaborations include partnerships with the NSW Department of Planning and the Reserve Bank of Australia, demonstrating the practical applicability of his research. As an academic leader, Dr. Liu serves as Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Broadcasting and actively contributes to the academic community through conference organization, peer review for top-tier venues, and assessment for ARC grant schemes. He also teaches courses including Penetration Testing, Ethical Hacking and Offensive Security, and supervises Masters and PhD students in cybersecurity and privacy research.
Danielle Butler is a Visiting Fellow at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, and a part-time General Practitioner/Researcher at the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health. With 20+ years clinical experience and a PhD (2018), her work focuses on healthcare access equity for underserved populations through linked data analysis, mixed-methods research, and telehealth evaluation. Current projects: Enhancing Safe Telehealth , Patient-Centered Medical Homes , Primary Care Data Linkage Key collaborations: ANU, IUIH, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Her research combines multilevel modeling of administrative data with participatory action research to evaluate primary care innovations. Recent work examines telehealth impacts , out-of-pocket costs , and Aboriginal health service models . Publications span BMJ Open , BMC Health Services Research , and Health Policy , with emphasis on systematic reviews , linked data methodology , and health equity metrics . Research fingerprint shows dominant themes: Primary Health Care (100%), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (66%), Health Services Research (49%), and Telehealth (100%).
Professor Ashish Sharma is a Professor of Hydrology and Water Resources in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. With a PhD in Civil Engineering from Utah State University and extensive experience in hydrological research, he has established himself as a leading expert in his field. Dr. Sharma's research focuses on hydrological uncertainty, with particular emphasis on the impact of climate change and variability on hydrological practice. His work spans multiple areas including remote sensing applications, stochastic hydrological modeling approaches, development of hydrological models, and addressing key hydrology challenges such as design flood estimation and water resources management. He has made significant contributions to understanding how climate change affects hydrological extremes and water availability. His publications reveal a strong trend toward advanced modeling techniques for climate change impact assessment, with recent work focusing on spectral transformation methods, multivariate bias correction in climate models, flood forecasting improvements, and the relationship between temperature and precipitation extremes. His research increasingly integrates remote sensing data with hydrological modeling to address challenges in data-scarce regions. Professor Sharma has held significant leadership positions including President of the International Commission of Hydrologic Sciences (IAHS) Commission on Statistical Hydrology (STAHY) since 2016, service on the Australian Research Council's College of Experts twice, and participation on the Technical Committee for the Australian Rainfall and Runoff Design Flood Estimation guidelines (ARR2016). In addition to his research leadership, Professor Sharma actively mentors students and collaborates with researchers globally, as evidenced by his extensive publication record across top hydrology and climate journals. His work bridges theoretical hydrology with practical applications for water resources management under changing climate conditions.
Dr. Sam Ferguson is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Computer Science, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with a multidisciplinary background in music performance, cognitive science, and psycho-acoustics. His research explores the intersection of sound, music, and human experience through creative coding, machine learning, and interactive systems. Key Research Areas: Sound and Music Computing, Human-Computer Interaction, Creative Coding, Cognitive Science, Installation Art, and Acoustics. Current Projects: ARC Linkage project on creative coding and multiplicitous media; industry collaborations on IoT-based audiovisual systems. Recent Publications: Focus on spatial audio complexity, gestural interaction with networked sound, music emotion recognition frameworks, and robotic performance through genre-based cultural platforms. Leadership Roles: Director of Teaching & Learning Engagement; former Deputy Head of School (Teaching and Learning); active in ACM Creativity and Cognition Steering Committee. Teaching: Courses like Digital Media Studio , Prototyping Physical Interaction , and Data Processing using R within UTS's interdisciplinary Software Development Studio.
