What made you decide to pursue a career in research?  

I am naturally curious and love asking questions. What better to have a job where this is actually a requirement?  

Why is it vital that we #InspireInclusion in social sciences and humanities research?  

Inclusion, equity and social justice are among the most important drivers for social science and humanities research. Regardless of what field you work in, these are always involved when we think about the way people engage with each other, the outcomes they can achieve and the social issues that we deal with every day. If our work can point to some of the reasons why social inequalities persist and what we can do to improve justice and inclusion, or at least discover new ways of thinking about these issues, to me that is definitely something to be proud of.  

Which woman do you look up to the most, and why?  

I have worked with a range of inspiring women during my work in academia. These women have been generous with their professional and emotional support, with giving advice and critique and with fostering my career and my interests. I would one day like to be someone who can provide this kind of support to others. Of course, the woman I look up to the most is my mum, though.  

How has inclusion informed your research?  

Much of my work has focused on social inclusion in remote communities, including infrastructure and digital inclusion. Right now I work on one project in the field of governance and on two projects about right-wing extremism, where social inclusion and access to services also play a big role. I really believe that issues that relate to inclusion, equality and justice play into every project I have worked on in the past, even if it’s not always immediately obvious.  

What advice would you give to aspiring female researchers?  

You really have to be an optimist to work in academia because it is so hard to find a secure job, let alone have a career. At the same time, there are opportunities everywhere as well, and it can be so exciting to start on a new project or to publish a new paper. I may not be the best person to ask for advice on how to succeed in academia, but I would perhaps say that as long as you are still enjoying the work you do and don’t get too stressed out about your H-Index, rejected papers or your Deakin Achieve, you’re perhaps on the right track.  

What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far?  

Looking back, my greatest accomplishment is that I continued with and ultimately completed my tertiary education. When I left school I didn’t even want to go to uni, but after working for a couple of years I realised that higher education is key for getting into an interesting and fulfilling career. At that point I also discovered what wonderful places universities can be, and I guess I just never left. 

What made you decide to pursue a career in research?  

I started off working in community development not-for-profits and over time moved into evaluation roles in those organisations. I loved conducting the fieldwork and having opportunities to find out what was working well and what could be improved. I have always been particularly keen on examining how programs work for different people and breaking down findings to ensure we don’t miss program effects on marginalised groups.  

Another key consideration for me is ensuring that findings are used. Seeing the significant non-use of evaluation findings in not-for-profits inspired me to undertake PhD research on that topic. I found that investigating answers for my PhD uncovered other questions I wanted to ask. A career in research gave me the space to examine those questions, spend time surrounded by brilliant people, and do other things that I love, like talking to community members and writing. Research is a match made in heaven for me, and I feel very privileged to have found a career that I love so much.  

Why is it vital that we #InspireInclusion in social sciences and humanities research?  

There are so many ways that we can inspire inclusion in our practice and non-work lives. Starting with ourselves is always a good idea. Strategies I use include speaking with and listening to people with various viewpoints and experiences, reading books written by diverse authors, and staying mindful of exclusion. Collaborating and co-researching/authoring with people who are often excluded strengthens our own work by helping us see the world through different lenses and supports the relevance and impact of findings.    

Which woman do you look up to the most, and why?  

My daughter is a huge source of inspiration for me as she is able to cut through people who try to manipulate or control her with quiet strength and dark humour. She sees beyond emotive outbursts and provides acute critical observation of people’s interactions with each other. She’s also insanely physically strong and woman handles me around the house. So many other women have inspired me, including an Afghan former refugee whose career as a gynecologist was unrecognised in Australia so she went back to university for another decade to requalify; a survivor of domestic violence who donated her eggs to parents unable to have their own child; an autistic woman who has struggled every day for decades with debilitating mental illness including anorexia nervosa and obsessive compulsive disorder but who constantly challenges herself and battles toward recovery. These women are incredibly strong, kind, determined and caring. They demonstrate that strength and kindness are not mutually exclusive.  

How has inclusion informed your research?  

Working with diverse collaborators has improved my ability to conduct relevant research and produce meaningful outputs that are useful for my key audiences. As inclusion is a critical principle of my work, the many gaps in inclusive practice across the development and humanitarian sector where my research is located offer many opportunities. I am a particularly keen advocate for supporting recognition of inclusive community-led approaches as inherently vital to good organisational practice that benefits all involved.   

What advice would you give to aspiring female researchers?  

Be a good inclusive feminist and invest in learning about theories of gender and reading important books on the subject like Mikki Kendall’s Hood Feminism. Consciousness-raising and being reflective of our positionality is so useful at informing our research and helping us realistically situate ourselves in the research milieu. Being aware of our reactions to others, and others’ reactions to us, helps us recognise where we need boundaries and where we need to step outside of our zone of familiarity. Remember the support that others have shown you and leave the ladder behind you for others.   

What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far?  

Juggling work and family is difficult for all (or nearly all!) mothers. I feel incredibly blessed and proud of myself that I have been able to manage personal barriers and a challenging family situation to complete a PhD and pursue a research career that includes regular international fieldwork. It’s very important to me to support other mothers to do the same and not accept barriers that pressure us to give up or make unsatisfactory concessions. This includes advocating for mothers around flexibility at work. 

What made you decide to pursue a career in research?  

I was always interested in social and political issues and how individuals and communities can make changes happen in the world. I studied medicine at university, but I soon missed the English Literature study I enjoyed in high school, so I picked up an Arts subject alongside medicine and ended up doing a combined degree. Soon after I began working in medicine, I was drawn again to the social sciences and eventually did a PhD in Anthropology. After finishing my PhD I got a postdoc, and I’ve just continued with research since then.  

Why is it vital that we #InspireInclusion in social sciences and humanities research?  

Research is only as valuable as the questions we ask, and the questions we ask are influenced by who we are. The more diverse the research workforce is, the more diverse our research questions will be. I am passionate about equity and inclusion, and it is absolutely vital that all people have an opportunity to go into research. But for me, it is not just about equity, it’s also about ensuring that humanities and social science research in this country is asking the most interesting and important questions.  

Which woman do you look up to the most, and why?  

Having had children all of my academic life, I admire all women who manage to balance care responsibilities with their careers. Whether the care is for children, parents, or anyone else in their lives, conflicts often arise where a woman feels pulled in multiple directions and feels like they are letting down the people they care for, or letting down their careers, or both! Flexible and understanding workplaces help enormously, and it is important we maintain and continue to improve structural changes that support inclusion.  

How has inclusion informed your research?  

My work has focused on First Nations Australians and has been driven by a sense of responsibility for doing what I can to understand and address the issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As a settler Australian who has benefited from colonialism, I have always felt an obligation to address the injustices that Indigenous Australians have experienced and continue to face.  

What advice would you give to aspiring female researchers?  

A research career is hard work, and super competitive. But for those who do make it, research is a rewarding way to make a positive difference in the world. My advice to women wanting a career in research is to keep going, believe in the value of your unique contribution to your field, and find mentors that believe in you. Someone has to succeed, and there is no reason it shouldn’t be you! 

What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far?  

The best part of academia is knowing that the books and articles I have written have connected with researchers and students, and sometimes with a wider readership, to help them make sense of the world. I am grateful for all the researchers that have cited my work and I treasure the emails people have sent me when something I have written resonates with them. In terms of more concrete ‘accomplishments’, being elected to the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and to the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences were extra special moments, as was receiving an Alfred Deakin Professorship.