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Meet key staff for the School of Global, Urban & Social Studies.

Dean of School

Professor Katherine Johnson

Professor Katherine Johnson

Dean, School of GUSS

  • Location City Campus Australia
  • Department Design and Social Context
Dean, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies. Katherine Johnson has extensive academic leadership experience in Australia and the UK, including as Executive Dean, Head of Department, Research Centre Director and Associate Dean, Research and Innovation. She is motivated by a commitment to social equity and environmental justice, delivering transformative student experiences, maximising research impact, and promoting a culture where staff and students flourish. In 2024 she was awarded the RMIT Vice Chancellor Leadership Award for Inclusion. Her academic background is in interdisciplinary social sciences, particularly the intersection of community psychology, psychosocial and sexuality studies, and the use of participatory and creative methods. Prior to joining RMIT she was the Founding Director of the Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender at the University of Brighton, UK. She is a leading researcher in LGBTQ+ suicide prevention, transgender health, and early mental health interventions for LGBTQ+ youth, with international collaborations in the UK, Europe, and Mexico that focus on transforming policy, practice and lives. Her current research is funded by Horizon 2020/NHMRC, ARC and VicHealth. In 2024 she was awarded the Vice Chancellor Research Impact and Engagement Award (Open). She has held Visiting Fellowships in Gender and Cultural Studies, University of Sydney, Australia (2007), in social psychology and psychosocial interventions at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (2009-2012), in participatory action research and LGBT health inequalities at the Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Brazil (2016), in social sciences at the Universidad de Colima, Mexico (2016), and at the Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender, University of Brighton, UK (2018-2022). She is a Chartered Psychologist, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. Industry Experience: Extensive experience working in research, policy and governance with community-based LGBTQ+ organisations, mental health and youth organisations, including as a trustee.

School Executive

Professor Michele Ruyters

Professor Michele Ruyters

Associate Dean – Criminology & Justice Studies

  • Location City Campus Australia
  • Department School of GUSS
Michele Ruyters is the Associate Dean, Criminology and Justice Studies in RMIT's School of Global, Urban and Social Studies and the founder and director of the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative and the Criminal Case Review Project at RMIT University. Michele's practice and research interests are in wrongful convictions and lived experiences of miscarriages of justice.
Professor Julian Lee

Professor Julian Lee

Teaching and Research Senior Manager (Advanced)

  • Location City Campus Australia
  • Department School of GUSS
Julian CH Lee is the Associate Dean, Global and Language Studies, in RMIT's School of Global, Urban and Social Studies.   In 2024, RMIT’s College of Design and Social Context awarded him a citation for Learning and Teaching Leadership for his contributions and achievements within and beyond RMIT. Among his achievements are that of Best Paper at the 2022 conference of the Australian Collaborative Education Network (ACEN; now WIL Australia), and in 2019 he received a Ralph Macintosh Commendation “for outstanding commitment to delivering engaging student experiences through new ways of learning”.   Julian is a supporter and advocate for open access publishing and scholarship. In addition to serving on the editorial boards of the open access International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning (IJWIL) and the open access academic publisher Kismet Press, he has also been part of RMIT’s Open Access Working Group. In 2024, he collaborated with RMIT Library’s Open Access team to publish the co-edited volume A Skilled Hand and a Cultivated Mind, which followed his 2019 co-authored open access monograph Monsters of Modernity.   In addition to his academic work, Julian shares his insights on leadership practice with higher degree by research students through the Frontiers program of the Australian Technology Network (ATN). His module, The Future of Leadership, introduces PhD and Masters students to several of the most useful practices, paradigms and authors that have informed his approach to leadership.
Professor Rachael Hains-Wesson

Professor Rachael Hains-Wesson

Associate Dean, Learning & Teaching

  • Location City Campus Australia
  • Department School of GUSS
Professor Rachael Hains-Wesson is the Associate Dean Learning and Teaching in the School of Global, Urban, and Social Studies at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). Rachael is passionate about innovative educational practices, enhancing student learning experiences, and leading transformative teaching strategies. Dedicated to fostering academic excellence, she integrates Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) into higher education to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application.   Rachael began her career working in the not-for-profit sector for three years, focusing on social employability initiatives for disadvantaged travellers across Europe and Israel. Following this, she served in the Navy, where she developed a strong sense of discipline, leadership, and resilience. These experiences broadened her understanding of global challenges and fuelled her commitment to creating inclusive educational pathways. With a strong background in entrepreneurship, the creative industries, and international education, she has worked as an editor, publisher, and practitioner in diverse local, national, and global enterprises. She has also held visiting scholar and research expert positions at prominent institutions such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Southern California, Elon University, and the University of Waterloo (Canada), further contributing to her expertise in higher education research and practice.    Rachael holds two PhDs: one in Creative Writing from the University of Western Australia and another in Higher Education Teaching and Learning from Deakin University. She also holds a Diploma in Health Sciences from Charles Sturt University and a Diploma in Theatre Studies from Swinburne University, as well as a Master’s in Creative Writing from the University of Melbourne, a Bachelor of Arts, and a Graduate Diploma in Higher Education from Murdoch University.   Rachael is an active member of the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA), serving as a fellowship mentor, past branch co-secretary, and committee member. She is also part of the Academy of Reviewers for its high-impact journal, HERD. Rachael has received numerous awards, including a National Citation for Teaching and Learning, a QS Re-imagined (Gold) award, and is a Senior and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK). She has published extensively in education research, contributing significantly to the field.   Connect with Rachael via LinkedIn or view her creative and academic works via the following social media sites: Google Scholar Research Gate Academia.edu Youtube.    
Professor Robyn Martin

Professor Robyn Martin

Associate Dean, Social Work & Human Services.

  • Location City Campus Australia
  • Department School of GUSS
Robyn Martin commenced Social Work practice in 1990. Since that time, she has practised, taught and researched in trauma, violence, abuse, homelessness and critical mental health. Robyn is particularly interested in creating the conditions for the meaningful involvement of service users and their supporters in service delivery, research and teaching. She has co-led university-based projects which bring lived experience educators into the academy and in turn, influencing future health and human service graduates to value lived experience. Robyn is a critical social work academic and her research and teaching is informed by post-structuralist, feminist and intersectional theories and concepts.
Professor Andrew Butt

Professor Andrew Butt

Assoc Dean, Sustain & Urban Plan

  • Location City Campus Australia
  • Department School of GUSS
Andrew is a Professor in Sustainability and Urban Planning in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS) and the Centre for Urban Research (CUR) at RMIT. Andrew is a planning educator and researcher with a focus on rural and regional planning issues. He has a background in planning practice and his current research and supervision is in the area of land use change and planning policy associated with regional Australia, food systems and peri-urban development. Andrew has worked for over 30 years in planning practice, research and teaching in Australia and elsewhere. He has undertaken several industry-funded research projects with government agencies in the areas of rural planning, regional development and demographic analysis.  He has been involved in curriculum design, development and review at several universities internationally.
Professor Joe Hurley

Professor Joe Hurley

Associate Dean, Research & Innovation

  • Location City Campus Australia
  • Department School of GUSS
Joe Hurley is a Professor with the Sustainability and Urban Planning program; and a member of the Centre for Urban Research. His research focuses on the intersection between urban planning and urban sustainability, and on the role of urban governance and policy in producing sustainable outcomes. He is a chief investigator on several research projects funded by the Australian Research Council; Victorian Department of Planning; and the Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network (AURIN). Joe takes a particular interest in the relationship between research and practice worlds and is actively involved in work to reduce the barriers to exchange and enhance collaboration. Key Activities Professor, Sustainability and Urban Planning. Member, Centre for Urban Research Associate Member, Post Carbon Research Centre Teaching areas: Urban Planning Research; Strategic Urban Planning; Planning History; Global Study Tours (Myanmar) Industry Experience Past Committee Member, Planning Institute of Australia (Vic Division) Collaborative research and teaching with government and industry partners including: EPA Victoria; Melbourne City Council; Resilient Melbourne; City West Water; the Victorian Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning; the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage; Commonwealth Department of Environment; Planning Institute of Australia; Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities; Municipal Association of Victoria; Council Alliance for Sustainable Built Environment; 202020 Vision.
Mark Newman

Mark Newman

Senior School Manager


Academic & Research staff by discipline and centre

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Professor Michele Ruyters

Professor Michele Ruyters

Associate Dean – Criminology & Justice Studies

Dr. Robin Cameron

Dr. Robin Cameron

Senior Lecturer (Education Focused)

Dr. Brianna Chesser

Dr. Brianna Chesser

Associate Professor

Dr. Peta Malins

Dr. Peta Malins

Senior Lecturer

Professor Stuart Thomas

Professor Stuart Thomas

Professor, Justice & Legal Studies

Dr. Gregory Stratton

Dr. Gregory Stratton

Senior Lecturer, Justice & Legal

Dr. Sharon Andrews

Dr. Sharon Andrews

Senior Lecturer

Professor Georgina Heydon

Professor Georgina Heydon

Professor

Mr. Alasdair Henry

Mr. Alasdair Henry

Assoc Lecturer

Dr. Alexandra Ridgway

Dr. Alexandra Ridgway

Lecturer, Criminology & Justice Studies

Ms. Alyssa Sigamoney

Ms. Alyssa Sigamoney

Lecturer

Professor Anastasia Powell

Professor Anastasia Powell

Professor

Dr. Binoy Kampmark

Dr. Binoy Kampmark

Lecturer

Dr. Brianna Chesser

Dr. Brianna Chesser

Associate Professor

Dr. Gemma Hamilton

Dr. Gemma Hamilton

Senior Research Fellow, DECRA

Dr. Gregory Stratton

Dr. Gregory Stratton

Senior Lecturer, Justice & Legal

Mr. Jarryd Bartle

Mr. Jarryd Bartle

Lecturer

Ms. Jessica Findling

Ms. Jessica Findling

Lecturer

Dr. Joseph van Buuren

Dr. Joseph van Buuren

Lecturer

Mr. Kent Goldsworthy

Mr. Kent Goldsworthy

Associate Lecturer

Mrs. Lucy Maxwell

Mrs. Lucy Maxwell

Lecturer

Dr. Marietta Martinovic

Dr. Marietta Martinovic

Associate Professor

Ms. Monique Moffa

Ms. Monique Moffa

Lecturer

Dr. Peter Chambers

Dr. Peter Chambers

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Rajesh Sharma

Dr. Rajesh Sharma

Associate Professor

Ms. Rebecca Hiscock

Ms. Rebecca Hiscock

Associate Lecturer

Professor Robert Watts

Professor Robert Watts

Professor in Social Science

Dr. Russell Solomon

Dr. Russell Solomon

Lecturer

Dr. Saskia Penn

Dr. Saskia Penn

Lecturer Criminology (Education Focused) (ACDF)

Miss Scarlet Rosa

Miss Scarlet Rosa

Associate Lecturer (Education Focused) (ACDF)

Ms. Sharon Simon

Ms. Sharon Simon

Associate Lecturer

Professor Julian Lee

Professor Julian Lee

Teaching and Research Senior Manager (Advanced)

Dr. Peter Phipps

Dr. Peter Phipps

Senior Lecturer

Professor Aiden Warren

Professor Aiden Warren

Professor

Ms. Bess Schnioffsky

Ms. Bess Schnioffsky

Lecturer, Global & Language Studies (ACDF) (Education focused)

Professor Charles Hunt

Professor Charles Hunt

Professor

Associate Professor Damian Grenfell

Associate Professor Damian Grenfell

Assoc Professor

Dr. Elizabeth Kath

Dr. Elizabeth Kath

Associate Professor

Professor Hariz Halilovich

Professor Hariz Halilovich

Professor

Dr. Kaye Quek

Dr. Kaye Quek

Senior Lecturer

Professor Nicola Henry

Professor Nicola Henry

Professor

Dr. Reina Ichii

Dr. Reina Ichii

Lecturer

Associate Professor Jose Guevara

Associate Professor Jose Guevara

Associate Professor

Samuel Carroll-Bell

Samuel Carroll-Bell

Lecturer, Global & Language Studies (ACDF) (Education focused)

Dr. Vandra Agisilaou

Dr. Vandra Agisilaou

Senior Lecturer

Associate Professor Yasothara Nadarajah

Associate Professor Yasothara Nadarajah

Associate Professor

Professor Kerry Jane Mullan

Professor Kerry Jane Mullan

Professor

Dr. Erika Gonzalez Garcia

Dr. Erika Gonzalez Garcia

Associate Professor

Dr. Alexis Bergantz

Dr. Alexis Bergantz

Senior Lecturer, French

Dr. Anamaria Ducasse

Dr. Anamaria Ducasse

Associate Professor

Dr. Caroline Norma

Dr. Caroline Norma

Senior Lecturer

Ms. Gillian Darcy

Ms. Gillian Darcy

Lecturer, Applied Linguistics (ECDF)

Dr. Glenda Mejia

Dr. Glenda Mejia

Associate Professor

Ms. Hiroko Ohashi

Ms. Hiroko Ohashi

Lecturer

Dr. Jindan Ni

Dr. Jindan Ni

Senior Lecturer

Associate Professor Jing Qi

Associate Professor Jing Qi

Associate Professor

Dr. Maho Fukuno

Dr. Maho Fukuno

Lecturer, Japanese Studies

Dr. Maki Yoshida

Dr. Maki Yoshida

Senior Lecturer

Associate Professor Chen-Hui Miranda Lai

Associate Professor Chen-Hui Miranda Lai

Associate Professor

Dr. Olga García-Caro Alcázar

Dr. Olga García-Caro Alcázar

Lecturer, Translating and Interpreting

Professor Robyn Martin

Professor Robyn Martin

Associate Dean, Social Work & Human Services.

Dr. Pushkar Cordoba

Dr. Pushkar Cordoba

Senior Lecturer

Mr. Patrick O'Keeffe

Mr. Patrick O'Keeffe

Senior Lecturer, Youth Work

Mrs. Bernice Beaucaine

Mrs. Bernice Beaucaine

Lecturer, Social Work & Human Services

Ms. Betty Haralambous

Ms. Betty Haralambous

Associate Lecturer

Dr. Caroline Lambert

Dr. Caroline Lambert

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Christina David

Dr. Christina David

Associate Professor, Social Work & Human Services

Dr. Christine Craik

Dr. Christine Craik

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Haidee Hicks

Dr. Haidee Hicks

Lecturer, Social Work & Human Services

Ms. Jessica Stubbings

Ms. Jessica Stubbings

Associate Lecturer, Social Work & Human Services (ACDF) (Education Focused)

Dr. Juliet Watson

Dr. Juliet Watson

Associate Professor

Dr. Kate Phelan

Dr. Kate Phelan

Lecturer, Social Work & Human Services

Ms. Katherine Ogilvie

Ms. Katherine Ogilvie

Lecturer - Social Work and Human Services (ACDF) (Education Focused)

Ms. Margareta Windisch

Ms. Margareta Windisch

Lecturer

Ms. Melissa Laing

Ms. Melissa Laing

Associate Lecturer

Dr. Michael Hartup

Dr. Michael Hartup

Lecturer (Education Focused) (ACDF)

Dr. Rebecca Howe

Dr. Rebecca Howe

Lecturer - Social Work and Human Services (ACDF) (Education Focused)

Dr. Rob Cunningham

Dr. Rob Cunningham

Lecturer, Social Work & Human Services

Dr. Rojan Afrouz

Dr. Rojan Afrouz

Senior Lecturer, Social Work & Human Services

Associate Professor Veronica Egan

Associate Professor Veronica Egan

Professor

Dr. Sharlene Nipperess

Dr. Sharlene Nipperess

Associate Professor, Social Work

Mx Suzanne Hayes

Mx Suzanne Hayes

Associate Lecturer, Social Work & Human Services

Dr. Tuba Boz

Dr. Tuba Boz

Lecturer, Social Work & Human Services

Ms. Susan McCallum

Ms. Susan McCallum

Lecturer, Social Work & Human Services

Miss Sarah Williams

Miss Sarah Williams

Lecturer, Social Work & Human Services

Mr. Christopher Davies

Mr. Christopher Davies

Associate Lecturer (Education Focused)

Dr. Michael Emslie

Dr. Michael Emslie

Lecturer

Ms. Michelle Colla

Ms. Michelle Colla

Associate Lecturer

Dr. Jean Hopman

Dr. Jean Hopman

Lecturer

Dr. Belinda Johnson

Dr. Belinda Johnson

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Rachel Goff

Dr. Rachel Goff

Senior Lecturer

Professor Andrew Butt

Professor Andrew Butt

Assoc Dean, Sustain & Urban Plan

Ms. Nooshin Torabi

Ms. Nooshin Torabi

Lecturer

Dr. Mittul Vahanvati

Dr. Mittul Vahanvati

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Iris Levin Azriel

Dr. Iris Levin Azriel

Senior Lecturer, Sustainability & Urban Planning

Ms. Ani Landau-Ward

Ms. Ani Landau-Ward

Lecturer

Dr. Anthony Kent

Dr. Anthony Kent

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Ascelin Gordon

Dr. Ascelin Gordon

Senior Lecturer, Sustainibility & Urban

Associate Professor Benjamin Cooke

Associate Professor Benjamin Cooke

Associate Professor

Dr. Benno Engels

Dr. Benno Engels

Senior Lecturer

Ms. Cathryn Kay

Ms. Cathryn Kay

Assoc Lecturer

Professor Joe Hurley

Professor Joe Hurley

Associate Dean, Research & Innovation

Dr. Liam Davies

Dr. Liam Davies

Lecturer, Urban and Environmental Policy (ACDF) (Education Focused)

Professor Elizabeth Porter

Professor Elizabeth Porter

Director, Centre for Urban Research

Professor Marco Amati

Professor Marco Amati

Professor

Dr. Melissa Neave

Dr. Melissa Neave

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Susie Moloney

Dr. Susie Moloney

Associate Professor

Professor Wendy Steele

Professor Wendy Steele

Professor

Dr. Kathryn Daley

Dr. Kathryn Daley

Senior Lecturer

Associate Professor Ceridwen Spark

Associate Professor Ceridwen Spark

Associate Professor

Dr. Elinor Assoulin

Dr. Elinor Assoulin

Lecturer (Research Training Unit)

Dr. Paul Scriven

Dr. Paul Scriven

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Sarah Foster

Dr. Sarah Foster

Associate Professor

Dr. Sarah Robertson

Dr. Sarah Robertson

Research Fellow

Dr. Chloe Patton

Dr. Chloe Patton

Lecturer, Research Training Unit

Professor Joe Hurley

Professor Joe Hurley

Associate Dean, Research & Innovation

Dr. Juliet Watson

Dr. Juliet Watson

Associate Professor

Dr. Lucy Gunn

Dr. Lucy Gunn

Associate Professor

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View Centre for Urban Research people

Professional Support Staff

School Operations 

  • Sue Bennet – Operations Co-ordinator 
  • Jennifer O’Connor – OHS & Facilities Co-Ordinator

Student & Program Lifecycle and Work Integrated Learning

  • Daniel Teague -  Senior Coordinator, Student and Program Lifecycle
  • Chris Fallu - Team Leader, Work Integrated Learning 

Contact

Visit us

Address: 360 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Location: Melbourne City Campus, Building 8, Level 10
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9am–5pm
Phone: +61 3 9925 2328

Postal address

School of Global, Urban and Social Studies
GPO Box 2476
Melbourne, Victoria - 3001

Current student enquiries

RMIT Connect Student Portal

Phone: Call +61 3 9925 5000 and select the option to 'Speak to your School' then 'College of Design and Social Context'.
Operating hours: 9am-5pm Mon-Thurs, 10am-5pm Friday excluding public holidays.

Research

Centre for Urban Research: cur@rmit.edu.au
Social Equity Research Centre: serc@rmit.edu.au

 

People

The School of Global, Urban and Social Studies is led by a team of professionals with knowledge and experience across their fields, including sustainability, language studies, justice, and social work, and more.

Meet the staff
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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures