Experience

Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council Inc. (BRMC)

• Australia
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research and Policy Coordinator

  • May 2022 - Present

  In this high impact role I am the sole staff member leading and delivering the Research and Policy portfolio for BRMC. I focus on developing an evidence base, making information accessible, optimising research and advocating for regional settlement, diversity and inclusion. Since I designed the role in collaboration with former CEO Ann Foley, key outputs have included (see https://www.brmc.org.au/research-and-policy/ for further detail): - The Destination Ballarat: Readiness for Regional Settlement Report - Founding an Australia-wide Regional Settlement Research Network - A submission to the City of Ballarat's Intercultural Plan 2022-2026 - Producing infographics and data on regional diversity such as Ballarat's Ageing Multicultural Communities - Policy snapshots of BRMC's Multicultural Dialogues - A list of public resources on settlement and diversity - Internal monitoring and evaluation - Liaising with stakeholders such as government, settlement and multicultural organisations, consultants. Show less



University of Southampton

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Honorary Research Fellow

  • Nov 2020 - Present

  I am an Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Political Ethnography, University of Southampton.

• ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow

  • Oct 2019 - Nov 2020

  As the Principal Investigator for a competitive ESRC-funded postdoctoral research fellowship, I designed my own research project "Humanitarianism Against Hostility: Volunteer Hospitality in Australia and Europe”. I conducted a research trip to engage with Australian humanitarian sector and gauge new trends/developments, organised and chaired the Sanctuary@UniSouthampton Virtual Roundtable resulting in a working group to establish Southampton as a University of Sanctuary, and disseminated research in the UK and Europe through publications, talks and conferences. Show less



Ballarat City Council

• Australia
• Government Administration
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Community Inclusion Officer

  • Feb 2022 - Jul 2022

  I facilitated the LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee to develop an LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Plan and organise celebrations for LGBTIQA+ days of significance, as well as conducting community engagement to develop action plans to make Ballarat more inclusive for everyone. I facilitated the LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee to develop an LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Plan and organise celebrations for LGBTIQA+ days of significance, as well as conducting community engagement to develop action plans to make Ballarat more inclusive for everyone.



UCL

• United Kingdom
• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Masters Dissertation Advisor

  • Apr 2019 - Oct 2019

  As the primary supervisor of two students in the MA Global Communication and Public Diplomacy I provided mentorship and graded assessment.

• Research and Workshop Coordinator

  • Feb 2019 - Oct 2019

  I designed and delivered the UCL-OICD Peace and Cohesion Through Identity workshop, conducted research into identity methodologies to counter division, and co-produced a practitioner toolkit.



Lawrence University

• Higher Education
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Adjunct Lecturer

  • Apr 2018 - May 2018

  I delivered lectures and practical field excursions in urban anthropology to US American undergraduate exchange students at Lawrence University's London campus as well as grading assessments. I delivered lectures and practical field excursions in urban anthropology to US American undergraduate exchange students at Lawrence University's London campus as well as grading assessments.



Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

• Australia
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Lead Research Consultant (Pro bono)

  • Feb 2016 - Dec 2016

  I offered my pro bono services as the lead researcher for the ASRC Volunteer Program, and managed a small team to design 2 surveys, present findings, and produce an infographic and 2 reports (https://www.asrc.org.au/wpcontent/uploads/2013/04/ASRC-Volunteer-Report-2016.pdf). I also undertook a secondment to the Community Engagement team, leading data analysis for the #RightTrack campaign (https://www.asrc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/RightTrack-Report-Higgins.pdf) I offered my pro bono services as the lead researcher for the ASRC Volunteer Program, and managed a small team to design 2 surveys, present findings, and produce an infographic and 2 reports (https://www.asrc.org.au/wpcontent/uploads/2013/04/ASRC-Volunteer-Report-2016.pdf). I also undertook a secondment to the Community Engagement team, leading data analysis for the #RightTrack campaign (https://www.asrc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/RightTrack-Report-Higgins.pdf)



Department of Social Services (DSS)

• Australia
• Public Policy Offices
• 700 & Above Employee

• Policy Officer, Australian Multicultural Council Secretariat and Multicultural Policy

  • Jun 2013 - Nov 2014

  In this dynamic role I worked for the Australian Multicultural Secretariat within the multicultural policy section of the Australian government on policy development, research and reports on interfaith and social cohesion. I wrote government minutes, briefs, speeches, talking points, media releases, and correspondence, prepared for Council meetings and liaised with stakeholders.

• Assistant Director (Acting), Australian Multicultural Council Secretariat

  • Apr 2014 - Jul 2014

  I was promoted to lead the Australian Multicultural Council secretariat team. During the time I managed an interfaith stakeholder roundtable with approximately 60 participants, drafted and published Council reports, organised Council meetings and the Council’s daily activities (correspondence, media), liaised with Council members, and briefed government on Council activities.



University of Canberra

• Australia
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Sessional Academic - Course Convenor, Lecturer and Tutor, International Studies

  • Feb 2013 - Jun 2013

  As the Course Convenor and Lecturer for the graduate Social Research Methods unit I designed the syllabus, gave in-person and online lectures, and graded assessments. I was also the Graduate Teaching Assistant running 6 tutorials per week for the undergraduate unit Cultures and Diversity. As the Course Convenor and Lecturer for the graduate Social Research Methods unit I designed the syllabus, gave in-person and online lectures, and graded assessments. I was also the Graduate Teaching Assistant running 6 tutorials per week for the undergraduate unit Cultures and Diversity.



VolunteeringACT

• Australia
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Officer, Research Consultant

  • Nov 2012 - Jun 2013

  I designed this role in collaboration with the Community Manager. I managed a small research team to conduct two surveys of volunteers and volunteer-involving orgs and produced Volunteering ACT's first State of Volunteering Report, Selfless Service (available online). The report was launched at the 2013 International Volunteering Expo and findings were presented at a public forum for sector professionals. I designed this role in collaboration with the Community Manager. I managed a small research team to conduct two surveys of volunteers and volunteer-involving orgs and produced Volunteering ACT's first State of Volunteering Report, Selfless Service (available online). The report was launched at the 2013 International Volunteering Expo and findings were presented at a public forum for sector professionals.



Australian Red Cross

• Australia
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Social Inclusion Programs Officer

  • Feb 2011 - Jul 2011

  I managed 12 local social welfare programs (Breakfast Clubs, Telecross and Patient Transport) in the South Eastern and Northern suburbs of Melbourne entailing program oversight and quality assurance, policy development, and volunteer management (recruitment, training, supervision) of approx. 115 volunteers. I managed 12 local social welfare programs (Breakfast Clubs, Telecross and Patient Transport) in the South Eastern and Northern suburbs of Melbourne entailing program oversight and quality assurance, policy development, and volunteer management (recruitment, training, supervision) of approx. 115 volunteers.



Auckland University of Technology

• New Zealand
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• International Student Support Advisor

  • Apr 2010 - Oct 2010

  I was part of a small team of four advisors responsible for the pastoral case of over 200 international students. I conducted visa processing, case management, and crisis management; developed material for the International Student Handbook; and delivered workshops on reverse culture shock and finding accommodation, the orientation programme and 'Noho Marae' Māori cultural learning weekends. I was part of a small team of four advisors responsible for the pastoral case of over 200 international students. I conducted visa processing, case management, and crisis management; developed material for the International Student Handbook; and delivered workshops on reverse culture shock and finding accommodation, the orientation programme and 'Noho Marae' Māori cultural learning weekends.



The University of Auckland

• New Zealand
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Assistant

  • Nov 2008 - Oct 2010

  I was the reseacher for two main projects: 1) The international 'RECON' (Reconstituting Democracy in Europe) project involving 21 universities. I conducted literature reviews, co-authored two working papers, one book chapter, and co-presented at a public research seminar.2) European public diplomacy in Australia and New Zealand, examining the role of the European Union's delegations in Canberra and Wellington. I conducted literature reviews, one month internship at the Wellington delegation, interviews, and co-authored a peer-reviewed journal article. Show less

• Graduate Teaching Assistant

  • Feb 2009 - Nov 2009

  I tutored three undergraduate courses: The Politics of Culture, Theoretical Perspectives on Society and Culture, and Issues in New Zealand Ethnography.