Personal profile
Biography
Professor Helen Forbes-Mewett is a Sociologist in the School of Social Sciences. She is also Senior Fellow of the International Education Association of Australia. Helen is the author of five books and many scholarly journal articles. She is a Chief Investigator of the Fire to Flourish Research Program along with several other large research projects. In 2022, Helen was awarded the Noam Chomsky Global Connection Award - North Star Medal of Lifetime Achievement for outstanding achievement and success in transnational research and scholarly collaboration. Helen's interdisciplinary background includes Sociology, Psychology and International Business, degrees all awarded by Monash University. Her work focuses on human security, resilient communities, migration, cultural diversity, and social intergration. Much of her research has related to international students, migrant populations, and vulnerable and resilient populations. Helen supervises a large cohort of PhD students from many different backgrounds and countries. Helen is also a member of the following boards/committees:
- Multicultural Settlement Committee
- Communities’ Council on Ethnic Issues (Eastern Region) Inc.
- Victorian Government Research Institute on Social Cohesion (RIOSC) (Member)
- International Education Association of Australia (IEAA)
- National Expert Advisory Board and former Editor in Chief, Journal of Sociology
- Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of International Students
- Advisory Board, Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education
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):
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SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
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
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 13 Finished
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Services to support best practice international student engagement
Tran, L. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Blackmore, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Hartridge, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Forbes-Mewett, H. (Chief Investigator (CI))
8/04/22 → 15/11/23
Project: Research
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Fire to Flourish Program
Forbes-Mewett, H. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI))
30/11/21 → 31/12/25
Project: Research
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Co-designing and scaling effective COVID-19 communication strategies for young people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Victoria
Wickes, R. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Olivier, P. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Skouteris, H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Forbes-Mewett, H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Ratnam, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Powell, R. (Project Manager), Bartindale, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Varghese, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Smith, L. (Chief Investigator (CI))
16/11/20 → 14/06/21
Project: Research
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How can we better support the behavioural and academic needs of our refugee background students?
Rojas Quimbay, M. D. P. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Fielding, R. (Supervisor), Forbes-Mewett, H. (Supervisor) & Wilkinson, J. (Supervisor)
1/11/20 → 30/11/23
Project: Research
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Migration, Mixed-marriage and Integration in Australia
Arunachalam, D. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Markus, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Forbes-Mewett, H. (Chief Investigator (CI))
20/04/20 → 26/12/24
Project: Research
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Extreme weather events and vulnerability of older people: Experiences from Bangladesh and Other Asian Countries
Ali, M. I., Arunachalam, D. & Forbes-Mewett, H., 2026, Cham Switzerland: Springer. 150 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book › Research › peer-review
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Rethinking Refugee-Host Relations: Cultural Proximity and Historical Links
Musasizi, J., Arunachalam, D. & Forbes-Mewett, H., 2026, 1st ed. Abingdon Oxon UK: Routledge. 216 p. (Routledge Research on the Global Politics of Migration)Research output: Book/Report › Book › Research › peer-review
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Discrimination at work? The case of Pakistani migrant women in Australian workplaces
Yasmeen, F., Petersen, A. & Forbes-Mewett, H., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Australian Feminist Studies. 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus) -
Help-seeking after intimate partner or sexual violence: exploring the experiences of international student women in Australia
Tran, G., Forbes-Mewett, H., Tran, L. T., Hach, M. & Tarzia, L., Aug 2025, In: Violence Against Women. 31, 10, p. 2574-2602 29 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access8 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Intersectional disadvantages? Labor market integration of skilled Pakistani migrant women in Australia
Yasmeen, F., Petersen, A. & Forbes-Mewett, H., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Asian and Pacific Migration Journal. 23 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access
Activities
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Journal of Sociology (Journal)
Forbes-Mewett, H. (Editor in chief)
1 Jan 2021 → 31 Dec 2024Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial responsibility
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Transnational Relations, Ageing and Care (TRACE): Asian Connections and Beyond
Forbes-Mewett, H. (Invited speaker)
9 Jan 2020 → 10 Jan 2020Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
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Covid-19: Impact on International Students
Forbes-Mewett, H. (Invited speaker)
6 Aug 2020Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to workshop, seminar, course
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Journal of Interdiciplinary Studies in Education (Journal)
Forbes-Mewett, H. (Editorial board member)
2020 → 2024Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial responsibility
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The Official Opening of Song He Xin Yuan
Forbes-Mewett, H. (Advisor)
19 May 2019Activity: External Academic Engagement › Expert/ advisor
Press/Media
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Why it is a good idea to befriend someone different to you
5/02/20
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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What to do to attract a desirable mix of international students
Tran, L. & Forbes-Mewett, H.
28/08/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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Tackling the issue of international student mental health
24/07/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Profile/Interview
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Shifting perspectives of international student mental health
27/06/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Profile/Interview