Petra T. Buergelt

Dr

Accepting PhD Students

PhD projects

Available for supervising PHD and Masters students - interdisciplinary qualitative research at the nexus of:
disaster risk reduction and capability building
disaster preparedness, response, recovery and rebuilding
climate change adaptation and capacity building
transformative learning
Indigenous ways of being, knowing and doing, repatriation and decolonising and Indigenising
governance, spirituality, nature, arts

20052025

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Biography

OVERVIEW 

I am an award-winning transdisciplinary social researcher and educator. I am a romantic free spirit who has a deep concern for humanity and Mother Earth, and who is dedicated to bringing the water of life to the people to regenerate life by guiding humanity to question the status quo and remember, reconnect with and awaken their true selves and spirituality. My highly diverse knowledges and experiences, distinct perspective and unique abilities led me to be a forward-thinking and innovative visionary who balances intellect with heart- and spirit-driven purpose to challenge conventional thinking, beliefs and status quo; expand boundaries; break new ground; and creatively innovate and transform to liberate from imposed constraints for the greater individual and global good. I am at home between worlds and are bridging, transforming and transcending worlds. The diverse knwledges lead to approaching challenges from unique perspectives and concpetualising original ideas. I remind that the most powerful teachers reside within and in nature. I am emphasising the importance of harmony and fully developing individual potential (self-realisation) while fostering a sense of collective purpose for being healthy and thriving. My specific purpose is to contribute to transforming and transcending ancient Western and Indigenous paradigms by gaining a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of each and functioning as a bridge between these paradigms to enable all creatures to live in harmony and thrive.

I grew up in the socialist East Germany in an environment that highly valued Indigenous cultures and peoples, and shared several aspects with Indigenous cultures (collectivistic, relationship-based, holistic). Experiencing East Germany being colonised by West Germany, with West Germany invalidating East German ways of being-knowing-doing, imposing West German ways of being-knowing-doing, and bringing collectivistic and personal destruction, enables me to relate to Indigenous people experiencing colonisation. I voted against West Germany with my feet by migrating to and living in New Zealand and Australia. Being brought up in nature and based on Rousseau’s romantic values and pedagogy; enjoying the holistic East German education; studying horticulture, psychology, sociology and anthropology; engaging with diverse Indigenous, Aboriginal, Western and Eastern ways of being-knowing-doing; travelling and migrating to diverse countries; engaging in transformative learning; and directly experiencing Spirit led to me being profoundly connected with nature, embodying Romanticism, and being able to relate to and recognise the value and importance of ancient and Indigenous ways of being-knowing-doing.

Besides being a Sylff Fellow (Ryoichi Sasakwa Young Leaders Fellowship, Tokyo & Nippon Foundation), I am an affiliated researcher at the UC Health Research Institute and HEAL Global Research Centre, a research fellow at the Joint Centre for Disaster Research (Massey University, NZ), and an international associate at the Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research (Victoria University, NZ). I am the co-founder and former Deputy Chair of the Group of Energy Efficient Researchers (GEER) Australia and co-founder and former leadership member of the International Transformative Learning Association (ITLA). I am an Executive Committee Member of her university’s Collaborative Indigenous Research Initiative (CIRI), and a member of the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP) reference group.

I am specialising in translational transdisciplinary participatory, emancipatory, transformative qualitative research and especially Indigenist participatory action research to gain holistically and in-depth understandings of how to restore humans living in harmony with nature, their true self and each. For 20 years, I have been investigating the interaction of psychological and contextual/environmental (historical, natural/build, interpersonal, social, cultural, spiritual, economic, political) aspects and processes that that empower humans and communities effectively managing and even thriving in the face of change, uncertainty, risk and adversity. I am using philosophical lens that synergises salutogenic paradigm,  complex adaptive systems theory, symbolic interactionism, and narrative theory. In particular, I am exploring the aspects and processes that influence risk reduction, preparedness, response to, recovery from and rebuilding after various natural hazards (bushfires, tsunami, earthquakes) and pandemics with peoples and communities in different countries (Australia, USA, NZ, Taiwan, Indonesia, Portugal). I am also inquiring into the individual and contextual/environmental aspects and processes that empower humans and communities effectively managing and even thriving in the face of change, uncertainty, risk and adversity. My research utlises and integrates relevant knowledges from diverse disciplines, cultures and spiritual traditions regarding disasters, climate change, human and planetary health and wellbeing, research and education/pedagogy, and sustainable living.

I have the tremendous privilege and honour to work two-way with the Indigenous Senior Elder Prof Ḻäwurrpa Elaine Maypilama and Yolŋu clan leaders, CEO/guardians and ceremony leaders living in very remote communities in the NT since 2015 and in Taiwan Indigenous peoples since 2017. I am very humbled and proud that the highly respected Senior Yolŋu Elder Shirley Nirrpuranydji adopted me in 2015. My moiety is Yirritja and my Yolŋu name is Nyaŋura (long-neck turtle). My skin name is Ŋarrtian, my tribe is Dhalwaŋu and my clan is Wunuŋmurra. I was the principal researcher for Dharray Manymakkung Pawaw Ga Gapuw – Manymak Energy Efficiency Project with six Australian Indigenous Communities in Northern Australia, which was funded by the Commonwealth Government with $ 9.12 million.  This project was awarded several awards including the NAIDOC 2016 award for the Best Environmental Project. I am co-leading with Ḻäwurrpa “Waka Ngurrkanhayngu: Regenerating the existence of life” with past, current and emerging Yolŋu clan leaders since 2020 (also see here). I have been leading or being a team member of several Cat 1 (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), NHMRC MRFF), Cat 2 and Cat 3 grants totalling over $ 10.32 million.

So far, I authored and co-authored over 100 books, chapters, peer-reviewed papers, state and federal government reports, and national and international conference presentations in the fields of disaster preparedness and risk management, international migration, and collaboration (h-index Scopus 15, GoogleScholar 22, ResearchGate 20). I am serving as an editorial board member of Disaster Communication (since 2016) and Adult Education Critical Issues (since 2021). Since 2007, I am reviewing academic papers for various Q1 journals. I am an expert peer reviewer for NHMRC, Health Research Council of New Zealand and Canada Research. I have been awarded numerous national and international scholarships, fellowships and awards. In 2021, I have been highly commended for the UC Faculty of Health Outstanding Early Career Researcher.

RESEARCH PROJECTS & GRANTS

Total shared funding: $ 10.32 million

 

Year

Amount

Funding scheme

Title

Role & Project Team

2025

$ 20,000

 

 

$ 22,088

(in-kind, pro bono)

 

Architects without Frontiers

 

Hames Sharley Architects

"Waka Ŋurrkanhayngu: Regenerating the Existence of Life":

Co-creating the Knowledge Centre

Project Co-Leader with Indigenous Co-Leader Prof Elaine Ḻäwurrpa Maypilama

Indigenous Yolŋu senior research consultants:

Gundjarranbuy Rosemary Garrawurra

Bayon James Garawirrtja

Dhalirri Glen Gurruwiwi

Yangarriny David Munyarryn

Djotja Evelyn Bukulatjpi 

Gunitjawuy James Dhäwnypuma Gondarra

Dhambulu Aaron Garawirrtja

Dhalanarrmi Cyril Bukulatjpi

2025

 

2023 -24

$ 9,250

 

$ 15,000

Australian Museum

 

UC DVCR&E Seed Funding – Supporting Indigenous Research and Researchers

"Waka Ŋurrkanhayngu: Regenerating the Existence of Life":

Co-creating the Repatriation Resilience Pathway Sub-Project

Project Co-Leader with Indigenous Co-Leader Prof Elaine Ḻäwurrpa Maypilama

Indigenous Yolŋu senior researchers:

Gundjarranbuy Rosemary Garrawurra

Bayon James Garawirrtja

Dhalirri Glen Gurruwiwi

Yangarriny David Munyarryn

Djotja Evelyn Bukulatjpi 

Gunitjawuy James Dhäwnypuma Gondarra

Dhambulu Aaron Garawirrtja

Dhalanarrmi Cyril Bukulatjpi

2024

$ 12,699

NHMRC HEAL Network

National Indigenous Disaster Gathering  

Project Co-Leader

Lead Indigenous Yolŋu Project Co-Leader: Prof Elaine Ḻäwurrpa Maypilama

Team:

Dhalanarrmi Cyril Bukulatjpi

2022 - 23

$ 37,030

NSW Family and Relationship Counselling Marymead

Marymead Regenerate Program Evaluation

 

Project Leader

Team:

Assistant Professor Clare Watsford (University of Canberra)

Dr Stewart Sutherland (ANU)

Monica Canning (UC MCP student)

Thomas Pearson (UC MCP student)

Jessica Chadakorn (UC MCP stud)

2021

$ 4900

UC FoH Teaching Innovation Generating Education Research Grants (TIGER)

(internal)

Building capacity in Indigenous ways of being-knowing-doing: Yarning circles facilitated by Indigenous academics combined with oral and written individual and collective reflections 

Project leader

Indigenous academics (FAD): Dr Paul Collis, Dr Wayne Applebee

Psychology: Dr Tricia Brown, Dr Amanda George, Dr Carolyn Ng Tseung-Wong, Dr Dimity Crisp, Dr Vivienne Lewis, Dr Dean Buckmaster

UC Teaching & Learning: Marina Martiniello & Tamsin Kemp

2021

$ 5000

UC FoH Teaching Innovation Generating Education Research Grants (TIGER)

(internal)

Co-designing, co-implementing and co-evaluating an empowering discipline specific Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Community of Practice Network Initiative

Co-leader with Dr Holly Northam

Team:

Indigenous academics (FAD): Dr Paul Collins, Dr Wayne Applebee

Psychology: Dr Tricia Brown, Dr Amanda George, Dr Carolyn Ng Tseung-Wong, Dr Dimity Crisp, Dr Vivienne Lewis, Dr Dean Buckmaster

Nursing: Naomi Mahon, Emily Wallis

UC Teaching & Learning: Marina Martiniello & Tamsin Kemp

2021 - 24

$ 219,770

 

Cat 1 - AIATSIS

 

“Waka Ngurrkanhayngu: Regenerating the existence of life”: Reducing the risk of natural an

d social disasters - reviving and strengthening Indigenous law, culture and governance in re

mote Indigenous communities

Project Co-Leader & CI with Indigenous Co-Leader Prof Elaine Ḻäwurrpa Maypilama

Bukulatjpi, Yalu

·  Yuŋgirrŋa Dorothy Bukulatjpi, Yalu

·  Evelyn Djotja, Yalu

·  Tanya Yurrranydjlil, Yalu

·  Joanne Gemulunuy, Yalu

·  Prof Douglas Paton, CDU & UC

·  Prof James Smith, Menzies School of Health

·  Dr Rowan Bedggood, Swinburne Uni

·  Tahir Ali, CDU

·  Duncan Poulson, ASIC

2020 - 24

$ 322,235

Cat 1 - NHMRC MRFF Bushfire Impact Research Grant

Supporting mental health through building resilience during and after bushfires: lessons from the 2019-20 bushfires in southern NSW and the ACT

CIB

Research team members:

·  A/Prof Jacki Schirmer

·  Prof Douglas Paton

·  A/Prof Theophile Niyonsenga

2020 - 21

$185,000

Cat 2 – The Hospital Research Foundation

“Regeneration”: Utilizing creative arts to facilitate bushfire recovery 

CI

Research team members:

·  A/Prof Jordan Williams

·  A/Prof Jacki Schirmer

2020

$ 7,514

UC Faculty of Health Seed Funding

(internal funding)

Natural disasters, community resilience and wellbeing: Joining the dots

 

Research team member

Research team members:

·  Assist/Prof Léan Obrien

·  A/Prof Tricia Brown

·  Dr Janie Busby Grant

·  Assist/Prof Ro McFarlene

·  Dr Mel Mylek

·  Assist/Prof James Neill

 

2019 - 20

$ 49,990

Collaborative Indigenous Research Initiative (CIRI)

(internal funding)

Community Based Disaster Risk Resilience for Sustainable Indigenous Development: A Comparative Study between Remote Indigenous Communities of Northern Australia and Pakistan

Project Leader & CI

Research team members:

·  A/Prof Elaine Ḻäwurrpa Maypilama

·  Bukulatjpi, CDU

·  Prof Douglas Paton, CDU

·  Prof James Smith, Menzies School of Health

·  Prof Noor Jehan, University of Peshawar, Pakistan

·  Tahir Ali, CDU

·  Yuŋgirrŋa Dorothy Bukulatjpi, Yalu

·  Rosemary Gundjarranbuy, Yalu

·  Stephen Dhamarrandji, Yalu

2019

$ 4,860

UC Faculty of Health Seed Funding

(internal funding)

Australia-Taiwan Indigenous Exchange Initiative

Principal Investigator – project leader

 

2018 - 19

$ 75,000

CDU Rainmaker Readiness Grant

(internal funding)

 

Aims:

·      2 applications ARC Discovery

·      1 application ARC Linkage (with Red Cross)

Using Arts to heal, reduce the risk of disasters and adapt to climate change: Australian-Taiwanese Indigenous Cultural Knowledge and Skills Exchange and Creation

 

This is a research program consisting of three interdependent projects

Principal Investigator – project leader

Research team members:

·  Prof D. Paton, E. L. Maypilama, M. Moss, T. D. Lee, B. Zeng (all CDU but different disciplines & colleges)

·  L. Min  (Shih-Chien University, Taiwan)  & Y. Lin (Taipei Medical University, Taiwan)

·  J. Meredith – partner investigator Red Cross NT Branch

·  Elders, artists, art centre managers & Red Cross personnel in two Australian and two Taiwan Indigenous communities

2017 -

unspecified

READ Panel Tender RFT 70007256 NFA Department of Social Services

 

Chief Investigator A

Variety of CDU researchers

 

2017 - 18

$ 10,000

CDU Rainmaker Start-Up Grant

(internal)

Arts Related Disaster Risk Reduction:  Australian-Taiwanese Indigenous Artist’s Cultural Knowledge & Skills Exchange and Creations

Principal Investigator – project leader

Research team members:

Prof Douglas Paton, A/Prof Ioannis  Michaloudis, Dr Benxiang Zeng, Dr Michelle Moss, Dr Jelena Zeleskov Doric (all CDU but different disciplines)

2017

$ 50,000

Cat 2 - Australian Federal Department of Industry, Innovation and Science (DIIS) via Energy Consumers Australia (ECA)

Power Shift – Developing an Australian Framework to Define and Measure the Co-benefits of Energy Efficiency

Researcher

Principal Researcher: Dr Rowan Bedggood (Swinburne University)

Research team member: Nikki Willand (RMIT)

2016 - 2019

$ 200,000

 

Cat 2 – Australian Federal Department of Industry, Innovation and Science (DIIS) via Energy Consumers Australia (ECA)

Seed funding for Group of Energy Efficiency Researchers (GEER) Australia

 

Deputy-Chair GEER

Dr Rowan Bedggood (Swinburne University), Dr Phillippa Watson (University of Tasmania), Dr Michael Tipps (University of Wollongong)

2016 -

unspecified

PMC2015: CERP

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet

Establish a Collaborative Evaluation, Research and Planning Panel 2015

Chief Investigator A

Variety of CDU researchers

2013 - 2016

$ 9,120,996

Cat 2 - Australian Commonwealth via the Australian Federal Department of Industry, Innovation and Science (DIIS)

“Dharray manymakkuŋ pawaw ga gapuw*” – Manymak Energy Efficiency Project with Indigenous Communities in East Arnhem Land  

Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A

Indigenous Essential Services Pty Ltd, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory Department of Housing, East Arnhem Shire Council, Centre for Appropriate Technologies/Bushlight

2007

$ 30,000

Cat 3 - Ministry of Health and Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, New Zealand

 

Articulating community beliefs about avian flu and pandemic preparedness     

 

Principal Researcher

Prof D. Paton (Utas, Tasmania)  and Prof D. Johnston (Massey

University, NZ)

 

RESEARCH SUPERVISION  

PhD Students Completed

  • Rachel Tumminello - Deepening the environmental volunteer narrative to increase  environmental organisations’ collaboration in mitigating climate change (2nd SV with Prof Douglas Paton, Dr Emma Hudson-Doyle (NZ)) - RTP, Mace-bearer
  • Steven Sutton - Cultural drivers of disaster response behaviour and their cross-cultural applicability: Simeulue Island (2nd SV with Prof Douglas Paton, A/Prof Saut Sagala (Indonesia)) - RTP, Mace-bearer
  • Tahir Ali (Pakistan) - Community based disaster risk management for sustainable development: A comparative study between Northern Areas of Pakistan and Australia (2nd SV with Prof Douglas Paton, A/Prof James Smith, A/Prof Lawurrpa Maypilama, Dr Noor (Pakistan)) - RTP SS, CDU Prize for best PhD Disertation

MA Students Completed

  • Thomas Pearson - Families experiences of Marymead’s Regenerate program following the 2019-2020 bushfires in Australia (with Assist Prof Clare Watsford, A/Prof Stewart Sutherland (ANU))
  • Monica Canning - Evaluating disaster recovery interventions for children:  A solutogenic and socio-ecological systems approach (with Assist Prof Clare Watsford, A/Prof Stewart Sutherland (ANU))
  • Jenna Richard – Transforming the lived experiences of non-Indigenous healthcare workers working in remote Indigenous communities: A strength-based approach
  • Linél Franck - Using social and emotional learning to improve wellbeing and protect against suicide in Indigenous Australian secondary boarding school students (with Prof Douglas Paton & Prof Richard Midford)
  • Siobhan Evans - Benefits of dance on wellbeing in older adults: A closer look at tango and swing (with Prof Douglas Paton & Dr Jelena Zeleskov Doric)
  • Katie Astley - The experiences of healthcare workers delivering FIFO services to rural and remote Indigenous communities (with Prof Douglas Paton)

 Honours Student Completed - Primary SV for all

  • Amie Furlong - Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Learnings from Aboriginal Elders, Aboriginal Organisations and Aboriginal Communities (with Prof Pat Dudgeon (UWA) - HD, 1st class
  • Manav Porwal - (Re)introducing Ancient Holistic Culturally Relevant Education to Cultivate and Restore Individual and Collective Self among People of Two of the Oldest Living Civilisations – Australia and India: A Systematic Grounded Theory Literature Review
  • Sarah Hill - Arts and Culture for Health and Wellbeing: Enhancing Western Psychology with Insights from Indigenous Knowledges and Practices (with Indigenous A/Prof Steven Sutherland (ANU))
  • Constance Teunissen - (Re)Connecting with one’s true nature: How community eco-art supports transforming and connecting during disaster recovery 
  • Luella Adams - Creative arts during bushfire recovery & regeneration: Evolutionary sources (with Prof Robyn Bartel (Monash) - HD, ist class
  • Anna Williams - Disaster recovery & regeneration: Cascading and compounding influences (with Prof Douglas Paton, Prof Jacki Schirmer) - HD, ist class
  • Stephen O'Shea - (Re)viving Indigenous knowledges and practices after the Black Summer bushfires (with Indigenous A/Prof Steven Sutherland (ANU)) - HD, ist class
  • Jessica Vander Hoeven - Balancing community and emergency management: Perspectives around extreme natural hazards 
  • Nikki Curtis – Songs of freedom: Popular songs as pathways for healing the past and instilling hope for the future in Australia (with Prof Douglas Paton) - APS Prize, 1st class
  • Belinda Howarth - Gifted university students: A qualitative study of why they choose to use or hide gifted abilities (with Prof Douglas Paton)
  • Christiana Powell – Coping in paramedics(with Prof Timophy Skinner) - APS Prize, 1st class

 

EDUCATION 

Education Awards

2023  Indigenization of the Curriculum Award (Psychology team under my leadearship), Faculty of Health Learning & Teaching Awards

2021  Two FoH TIGER grants awarded for innovative multi-disciplinary and cross-faculty education research projects I conceptualized

2020   Faculty of Health Teaching Award - Nomination by Discipline Head 

2020   UC Reconciliation Award 2020 Nomination for the development of the Indigenising the Curriculum Framework by PVC-A

Education Committees

2020 - 

2018 – 23 Steward & Leadership Committee Member of the International Transformative Learning Association (ITLA) (invited)

Teaching

2025         Leading the Psychology Indigenising the Curriculum Team

  • Understanding People and Behavior (600 students)
  • Health Psychology (100 students)
  • Qualitative Research (HDR unit) (20 students)
  • Cross-cultural competence, Indigenous ways of being-knowing-doing and qualitative research workshops for 1st Year Psychology, Honors and MClinical Psychology students

 2024         Leading the Psychology Indigenising the Curriculum Team

  • Health Psychology
  • Qualitative Research (HDR unit) S1 &S2
  • Co-convening Industry and Community Engagement (Health) WS
  • Cross-cultural competence, Indigenous ways of being-knowing-doing and qualitative research workshops for 1st Year Psychology, Honors and MClinical Psychology students

 2023         Leading the Psychology Indigenising the Curriculum Team

  • Health Psychology
  • Qualitative Research (HDR unit)
  • Cross-cultural competence, Indigenous ways of being-knowing-doing and qualitative research workshops for 1st Year Psychology, Honors and MClinical Psychology students

 2022         Leading the Psychology Indigenising the Curriculum Team

  • Health Psychology
  • Qualitative Research (HDR unit)
  • Cross-cultural competence, Indigenous ways of being-knowing-doing and qualitative research workshops for 1st Year Psychology, Honors and MClinical Psychology students

 2021         Leading the Psychology Indigenising the Curriculum Team

  • Foundations of Psychology
  • Health Psychology
  • Qualitative Research (HDR unit)
  • Cross-cultural competence, Indigenous ways of being-knowing-doing and qualitative research workshops for 1st Year Psychology, Honors and MClinical Psychology students

 2020          Leading the Psychology Indigenising the Curriculum Team

  • Foundations of Psychology (first year, WS, 96 students)
  • OSP S2
  • Cross-cultural competence and qualitative research workshops for Honors and MClinical Psychology

 2019        

  • Introduction to Psychology (first year, WS, 77 students)
  • Health Psychology (69 students)
  • Cross-cultural competence and qualitative research workshops for Honors and MClinical Psychology

2018 -  Course Coordinator Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours)

        Unit coordination & lectures/tutorials/workshops:

  • Psy140 Introduction to Psychology A
  • Psy209 Social and Cultural Psychology
  • Psy355 Applied Psychology
  • Psy426 Ethics and Professional Issues
  • Psy791 Honours Thesis
  • Psy792 Honours Research Project

       Calibration documents prepared for: Honours Program, Psy140, Psy209, Psy355

2017 -  Course Coordinator Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours)  

        Unit coordination & lectures/tutorials/workshops:

  • Psy140 Introduction to Psychology A
  • Psy202 Developmental Psychology
  • Psy209 Social and Cultural Psychology
  • Psy355 Applied Psychology
  • Psy791 Honours Thesis
  • Psy792 Honours Research Project

       APAC Accreditation documents prepared for: Honours Program & above units

2016 -  Course Coordinator Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) starting Semester 2           

        Unit coordination & lectures/tutorials/workshops:

  • Psy140 Introduction to Psychology A
  • Psy141 Introduction to Psychology B (co-coordination)
  • Psy202 Developmental Psychology

        Lectures:

  • Psy355 Applied Psychology

2015 -  Unit coordination & lectures/tutorials:

  • Psy140 Introduction to Psychology A
  • Psy141 Introduction to Psychology B (co-coordination)
  • Psy355 Health Psychology

        Lectures:

  • Psy202 Developmental Psychology
  • Psy355 Applied Psychology

2014 -  Unit coordination & lectures

  • Introduction to Psychology A, 100 level
  • Developmental Psychology, 200 level          

        Lectures:

  • Applied Methodology – Qualitative Research, MA level (Clinical Psychology)
  • Cultural, Social & Psychological Aspects of Emergency and Disaster Management, Master of Emergency & Disaster Management

 

EDUCATION ADDITIONAL  

2025            

  • Leading the decolonising and Indigenising of the curriculum workshops at the discipline level
  • Invited to present the Climate Change and Mental Health lecture at the Western Pacific Climate and Health Responders Course in 2025 conducted by the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE) at Columbia University and in collaboration with their esteemed partners, including the Lancet Countdown Oceania Regional Centre
  • Inivted to present at the ANU Fenner School

2024

  • Leading the decolonising and Indigenising of the curriculum workshops at the discipline level
  • Mentoring A/Prof Tuguy Esgin, Dean Indigenous Engagement, Faculty of Business & Law, Curtin Uni re decolonising and Indigenising
  • Mentoring Prof Ahmed Moustafa, Head of School Psychology & Computational Modeling, Faculty of Society & Design, Bond University re decolonising and Indigenising

 2023           

  • Leading the decolonising and Indigenising of the curriculum workshops at the discipline level
  • Indigenising of the curriculum workshops at the discipline, faculty and UC level

2022            

  • Leading the decolonising and Indigenising of the curriculum workshops at the discipline level
  • Indigenising of the curriculum workshops at the discipline, faculty and UC level Organising & facilitating two full-day Indigenising Yarning Circles with Indigenous academics Dr Wayne Applebee and Dr Paul Collis at the Australian National Botanical Garden for the psychology discipline

2021            

  • Leading the decolonising and Indigenising of the curriculum workshops at the discipline level
  • Indigenising of the curriculum workshops at the discipline, faculty and UC level
  •  Leading 2 TIGER grant funded education initiatives
  • Leading developing an Indigenising unit for FoH
  • Invited IAIPEP presentation - Indigenising the psychology curriculum: Overview of journey
  • Invited FoH Galambany Reconciliation Working Group presentation – Indigenising the psychology curriculum: Overview of journey
  • Organising & facilitating two half-day online Indigenising Yarning Circles with Indigenous academics Dr Wayne Applebee and Dr Paul Collis for the psychology discipline

2020           

  • Leading the decolonising and Indigenising of the curriculum workshops at the discipline level
  • Four workshops for psychology discipline team (1.5 h for undergraduate & honours teaching team & 1.5h for Masters Clinical Psychology team):
    • Indigensing the Psychology Curriculum
    • Indigenous ways of being, knowing and doing
  • UC PD Week – ItC Stories in Practice Session Panel member

2017-19     

  • Honours Convenor leading honours team (4 colleagues, 8 supervisors)
  • Mentoring three colleagues

2015-19     

  • Mentoring four PASS leaders & four-five markers

 

CONFERENCE & SYMPOSIA ORGANISATION 

2024   Organised “An evening showcasing place-based research with Yolŋu clan leaders from the very remote Galiwin’ku on Elcho Island (NT)” with 4 clan leaders, VC, FoH ED, many UC directors including Director for Research & 96 participants at the Ann Harding Centre

2021   Organisation Committee 19th International Transformative Learning Conference (ITLA) at Michigan State University (USA)

2020   invited to be session facilitator at the European Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ESREA) TPLE Conference 2020 by The Network Conveners Prof Michel Alhadeff-Jones, Prof Alexis Kokkos, Prof Anna Laros, Prof Linden West

2024   Organised “An evening showcasing place-based research with Yolŋu clan leaders from the very remote Galiwin’ku on Elcho Island (NT)” with 4 clan leaders, VC, FoH ED, many UC directors including Director for Research & 96 participants at the Ann Harding Centre

2021   Organisation Committee 19th International Transformative Learning Conference (ITLA) at Michigan State University (USA)

2020  Organised“An evening showcasing Yolŋu (NT) research through discussion & doc screening” with 2 Yolŋu researchers, 6 Yalu Aboriginal Corporation board members, PVC Indigenous, FoH Deputy Dean & 150 participants at the Ann Harding Conference Centre

2020   invited to be session facilitator at the European Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ESREA) TPLE Conference 2020 by The Network Conveners Prof Michel Alhadeff-Jones, Prof Alexis Kokkos, Prof Anna Laros, Prof Linden West

2019 Organised 2-day Taiwanese-Australian Indigenous Knowledges Symposia Plants Seeds for Collaborations with Indigenous Taiwanese grassroots organiser and representative of the Kanakanavu people in the Taiwanese Council of Indigenous Peoples, Associate Professor Chin-ju Lin from Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU).

2019 Organised an interdisciplinary UC delegation comprising academics from the Faculty of Health and the Faculty of Arts and Design to engage in a reciprocal visit. The team included Wayne Applebee, Kamileroi Elder, researcher and PhD scholar; Stirling Sharpe, Indigenous PhD scholar in sports management; and Dr Holly Northam OAM, Head of Nursing and Restorative Practice researcher.  The team participated in, and presented at, the International Symposium of Indigenous Knowledges, Health and Sustainable Development at KMU. After the symposium, the UC delegation joined the other international representatives to travel to mountain regions of Taiwan to stay in Taiwanese First Nation peoples’ villages who KMU has long-term collaborations with. The visit concluded with presentations and panel discussion at an extraordinary event - the International University Social Responsibility (USR) EXPO organised by the Center for University Social Responsibility and the Ministry of Education in Taiwan. These exchanges led to the University of Canberra (UC) and KMU signing a memorandum of understanding in October 2019.

2018 Scientific Committee of the Improving Residential Energy Efficiency (IREE) 2019

2018 GEER Energy Efficiency Symposium 2018

2017 Steering Committee and Co-Chair of the International Committee of the International Transformative Learning Conference at Columbia University (USA) (2018)

2017 GEER Round Table Discussion 2017

2017 An Evening of Disasterology: Meet the Disaster Experts at CDU (attended by two NT Ministers) (initiated & led)

2016 Scientific Committee of the Improving Residential Energy Efficiency (IREE) Conference (2017)

 

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBER

2021 -      Adult Eduction Critical Issues 

2020 -      Topical Advisory Panel Member International Journal Environmental Research and Public Health (Q1) 

2016 -      Frontiers in Communication – Disaster Communication

 

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

2024 -         Affiliate Researcher NHMRC HEAL Network’s HEAL Global Research Centre  

2023 -         Affiliate Researcher UC Health Research Institute

2020 - 21    Affiliate Member of the ANU Disaster Risk Science Institute

2019 - 22    Affiliate Researcher of the Australasian Centre for Resilience Implementation for Sustainable Communities (CDU)

2011 -         Sylff Fellow - The Royichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund, Nippon Foundation – Tokyo Foundation, International

2010 -         Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research, Victoria University, NZ

2009 -         Joint Centre for Disaster Research, Massey University & GNS Science, NZ

 

EXPERT REVIEWER 

 

AWARDS & GRANTS

2021       Faculty of Health Outstanding Early Career Researcher (10 years post award) - Highly Commended

2020       Research to Impact Scholarship

2019      ResearcHER Publishing Coaching Program (10 weeks)

2019       Research Leadership Development Program (2x 2 days)

2017       Erasmus Staff Mobility Grant – Euro 2000

2016      Erhard – Jensen Initiative – US$ 2500

2015      CDU Travel Grant - $ 2500

2012      UWA Travel Grant - $ 1850

2007      Australian Population Association Christabel Young Research Grant - $ 2000.

2007      NZ Department of Labour Graduate Research Sponsorship - $ 5000.

2007     New Zealand European Union Centres Network Domestic Fees Scholarship - $ 1940.

2000      Massey University Scholar.

2000      Freemasons Scholarship - $ 5000.

1999      Massey University Extramural Student`s Society Scholarship 1999 valued at $ 500

1998     Evening Standard Prize in Written Communication 1998

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

2005       TEC Top Achievers Doctoral Scholarship[1] - $ 58,000 plus fees over a two year period.

2004       Ryoichi Sasakawa Doctoral Young Leaders’ Scholarship - $ 18,000 plus

                research expenses and tuition fee over a one year period.

2004      University of Tasmania International Postgraduate Research Scholarship - $ 72,000 plus international PhD fees of $12750 and health cover per year for a four year period.

2003      Massey University PhD Scholarship - $ 54,000 plus fees over three year period.

2002      Ryoichi Sasakawa Masterate Young Leaders’ Scholarship - $ 24,000 plus research expenses and tuition fee over two years period.

2002      Massey University Masterate Scholarship – $ 12,000 over one year period.

 

FELLOWSHIPS

2007      Claude McCarthy Fellowship - $ 5000.

2007      Visiting Scholar, CAPSTRANS, University of Wollongong, Australia.

2005     Visiting Scholar, CAPSTRANS, University of Wollongong, Australia.

 

MEDIA PRESENCE 

2024       

From local to global, this conference shared wide-ranging solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation –      Collaboration and Evaluation Case Study Croakey Health Media, editor Melissa Sweet & author Alison Barrett, December 18, 2024

2023      

From remote housing to federal parliament, Indigenous-led co-design is a game changer, Croakey Health Media, editor Ruth Armstrong & author Alison Barrett, November 18, 2023

2022      

2021      

2020      

2019      

2018     

2017     

2016      

  • ABC Radio Interview 28th October 2016 – Disaster Risk Reduction Research at CDU

2012      

2006      Radio interview: SBS Radio, German Program   

 

[1] Only the top 4% of PhD students in New Zealand are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

 

Research interests

Member of Climate Change Adaptation Resilience and Recovery Network

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
  • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 13 - Climate Action
  • SDG 15 - Life on Land
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Education/Academic qualification

PhD, fully funded through scholarships, Massey University

… → 2011

Award Date: 12 May 2011

Master, 1st class honours, fully funded through scholarships, Massey University

Award Date: 1 May 2004

Bachelor, (Major Psychology), Massey Scholar, Massey University

Award Date: 12 May 2001

Bachelor, Horticulture, Institute for Horticulture, Dresden-Pillnitz, Germany

Award Date: 1 Jan 1993

Bachelor, Trade Certificate Horticulture (2 years apprentice), Germany

Award Date: 1 Jan 1988

External positions

Affiliate researcher, Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) Global Research Centre

2023 → …

Affiliate researcher, UC Health Research Institute (HRI)

2022 → …

Editorial Board Member, Adult Education Critical Issues

2021 → …

Affiliate researcher , ANU Disaster Risk Science Institute

20202021

Executive Committee Member, UC Collaborative Indigenous Research Initiative

2019 → …

Affiliate Researcher, Australasian Centre for Resilience Implementation for Sustainable Communities (CDU)

20192022

Steward & Leadership Committee Member, , International Transformative Learning Association (ITLA), international

2018 → …

Deputy Chair Group of Energy Efficiency Researchers (GEER) Australia, Group of Energy Efficiency Researchers

20162019

Editorial Board Member, Disaster Communication

2016 → …

Sylff Fellow , The Royichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund, Nippon Foundation – Tokyo Foundation, International

2011 → …

International Research Associate , Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research, Victoria University, NZ

2009 → …

Affiliate researcher, Joint Centre for Disaster Research, Massey University & GNS Science, NZ

2009 → …

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