I have a strong commitment to teaching, research and service that focuses on global justice, equitable development and sustainability.

I have previously worked on trade and development in the NGO sector in Nairobi and in Melbourne. I also worked for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Nairobi on the Global Environmental Outlook Report.

My research is driven by a strong commitment to generating tangible benefits beyond academia, with impacts across economies, societies, communities, cultures, and the environment. I work collaboratively with NGOs, Indigenous and local leaders, and change agents in Australia, the Indo-Pacific, and East Africa, with a particular focus on climate justice and building climate resilience through agroecology. I take a leading role in developing and sustaining international and interdisciplinary partnerships, contributing deep expertise in agri-food systems alongside strategic leadership in project conception, design, and execution. My research approach is grounded in the co-production of knowledge and long-term capacity building, ensuring mutual benefit and enduring impact. I actively pursue research that not only advances scholarly understanding but also delivers real-world outcomes through close, sustained collaboration with community-based organisations and NGOs.

I am a passionate educator, committed to decolonising the curriculum and designing learning materials that explicitly connect theory with practice, and focus on grand challenges the globe is facing. I prioritise the creation of safe, dialogic spaces for student interaction and discussion, using highly interactive teaching and learning approaches that foster an inclusive environment in which students feel supported, valued, and empowered to articulate their perspectives and worldviews. My unit design and assessment practices are deliberately structured to promote peer-to-peer learning, enabling students to engage critically with the curriculum while deepening their understanding through the exchange of diverse cultural experiences and insights.

My research expertise lies in the international political economy of trade, global food security, agri-food production networks, and the management and organisation of equitable and sustainable agri-food systems through agroecology. More recently, I have focused on carbon offset markets and human rights. My research has primarily concentrated on the Asia Pacific and East Africa.

Research Grants
I have demonstrated experience in leading and managing complex interdisciplinary research projects involving external partners in the field of equitable and sustainable food systems. Over my career, I have received $6.74 million in competitive funding.

From 2015 to 2026, I have been awarded three grants by DFAT, for which I am the Primary Chief Investigator, totalling $830,000, to conduct research on food security and sustainability in the Asia Pacific and Africa.

I have also received two ARC Discovery grants (2017: $257,000 to research food security and the governance of local knowledge in India and Indonesia; and 2025: $704,332 to examine carbon justice in Australia, India, and East Africa).

I am also a co–Chief Investigator on a $4.95 million ARC Research Hub grant entitled Cyber-Farming for Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture, awarded in 2025 and led by the Faculty of Engineering.

I am currently Cheif Examiner for the following subjects: 

International Trade Policy: MGF5730

International Institutions and Organisations: MGF5760

I am strongly committed to excellence in education and have continuously developed new and innovative approaches to inspire students to work collaboratively, creatively and diligently so that they genuinely enjoy their experience at Monash.

My curriculum materials allow students to develop a comprehensive understanding of social justice, egalitarianism and sustainability. In recognition of my contribution to teaching, in 2009, 2011 and 2016, I was a recipient of the Dean’s Commendation for Outstanding Teaching.

In 2022 I received the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Equity, Diversity and Social Inclusion Education.

In 2020 I received the student-nominated Monash Graduate Association’s Lecturer of the Year Award. 

Over my career I have supervised 22 Masters and Honours and 4 Doctoral students to completion, all of whom have pursued research in the area of responsible management/ social justice/sustainable and equitable development. I am open to supervising students in the area of sustainable and equitable food systems. 

I actively contribute to external service in ways ranging from running short courses on the trade and development for NGOs, actively praticipating in conferences organised by NGOs and community based organisations, to writing reports for NGOs and serving on editorial boards of various journals.

1. From Sept 2022 to Dec 2024, I served as convenor of the Critical Reorientations on Organisations and Society (CROS) Research Interest Group in the Department. 
2. Research Committee: I served on the Department's Research Committee from 2022 to 2025.
3. From Jan 2020 to Dec 2022, I served as a PhD Milestones Chair for the Department for a period of 3 years chairing a total of 37 milestone presentations.
4. EDSI Committee: From 2018 to 2022, I served on the Faculty’s Equity, Diversity and Social Committee as a representative of the Department, a role which I cherished.
5. Course Director: From 2012-2017, I provided strong education leadership through my role as Course Director for the Master of Diplomacy and Trade Program, a Faculty Program.
6. In 2026 I commenced the role of co-Course Director for the Master of Global Business.