RMIT welcomes its newest Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellows

This year’s Vice-Chancellor Research Fellows (VCRF) in the College of Design and Social Context and STEM College are set to play a pivotal role in advancing the University’s strategic priorities, contributing to cutting-edge developments across various disciplines.

As they embark on this journey, they are supported by a strong network of colleagues and mentors, including current and previous Fellows, whose contributions are helping to shape the future of research at RMIT.

View a list of RMIT’s Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellows.

Here we feature three of RMIT’s new Fellow, who share insights into their research goals and the impact they hope to make.

Enabling impact

18 November 2024

Man in black shirt and denim jacket in front of concrete wall with shrubbery.

Meet Dr. Sam Whiting, 2024 Vice-Chancellor's Senior Research Fellow, College of Design and Social Context

For Sam, joining RMIT is a homecoming of sorts.

"Having completed my PhD in the School of Media and Communication, I’m delighted to rejoin many of my previous colleagues as a peer," he shared.

With RMIT's strong connections to Victoria’s creative and cultural industries, Sam sees it as the perfect place for his research on the crises facing the Australian music industries.

The recent establishment of the Music Industry Research Collective, alongside other research networks such as the Digital Ethnography Research Centre and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, makes RMIT a hub for this kind of work.

Sam’s interdisciplinary approach to research is shaped by his passion for making positive changes in the creative and cultural industries.

"I draw inspiration from broader policy and advocacy initiatives and work across disciplines to ensure our diagnoses of the issues facing these sectors are effective and appropriate," Sam explained.

This collaborative mindset allows him to engage with researchers and industry stakeholders to develop solutions and recommendations that benefit creative workers.

"I regularly contribute to parliamentary inquiries, industry roundtables, and public forums aimed at improving the conditions for creative and cultural industry workers.

With a wealth of experience, including his roles on Arts South Australia’s Artists at Work Taskforce and the Arts Industry Council of South Australia, Sam is excited to continue influencing policy and driving change through his VC’s Senior Research Fellowship and his recently awarded Churchill Fellowship.

Woman with shoulder-length black hair and glasses posing against blurry blue background

Meet Dr. Xiaoning Li, 2024 Vice-Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Fellow, STEM College

Xiaoning joins RMIT with excitement about the University's commitment to diversity and its strong support for women in STEM.

“RMIT's emphasis on industry and research translation, along with its association with renowned scientists, creates an inspiring environment for my work," she said.

Xiaoning’s research focuses on energy conversion technologies, particularly electrocatalytic and photocatalytic processes for hydrogen generation.

She sees RMIT’s interdisciplinary platforms as key to advancing her work.

“RMIT’s Enabling Impact Platforms (EIPs) offer excellent opportunities to collaborate with experts from engineering, chemistry, and environmental science.

This interdisciplinary approach will enhance our efforts to develop holistic solutions that can be applied in real-world energy conversion devices.”

Looking ahead, Xiaoning envisions her work contributing to tangible changes in energy policy and practice.

"By developing sustainable materials for hydrogen production and CO2 reduction, I aim to foster a transition towards a sustainable future, influencing both academic and governmental approaches to green energy."

Woman at desk turning away from laptop to look back at camera

Meet Dr. Emmanuelle Walkowiak, 2023 Vice-Chancellor's Senior Research Fellow, College of Business and Law

Emmanuelle joined RMIT in 2023, recognising it as an ideal setting for her research on the impact of disruptive technologies on work and organisations.

"RMIT’s leadership as a global university in technology, design, and innovation makes it a stimulating environment for my work, particularly in exploring the implications of generative AI on the labour market," she shared.

Her research aims to support policymaking for an inclusive and safe future of work by focusing on the social and human dimensions of AI adoption.

A believer in interdisciplinary collaboration, Emmanuelle values RMIT’s commitment to crossing disciplinary boundaries.

“My research requires a multi-method, multi-disciplinary approach,” she explained.

“RMIT’s Enabling Impact Platforms provide a unique environment to collaborate with experts from economics, sociology, law, business, and computer science, enabling us to develop innovative solutions for a sustainable future of work with GenAI.”

Emmanuelle’s research is highly applied, designed to inform both policy and industry practices.

She regularly contributes to public and governmental discussions on technological change, including a recent panel appearance before the House of Representatives Committee on Employment, Education, and Training.

"My commitment is to ensure that research directly informs policy, helping both businesses and workers navigate the digital transformation," she said.

Story: Andrea Davies

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Enabling impact

18 November 2024

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