In broad terms, my research focuses on the intersections between social change, environmental degradation and environmental governance. I have examined this through studies of the consumption of goods and materials, and associated issues of waste, reuse and materials recycling (Lane and Gorman-Murray 2011), and of the social and cultural aspects of land use change in rural and regional Australia and its biodiversity consequences. 

My current research sits at the interface between social science research on consumption and the study of socio-technical transitions at the interlinked scales of the household, the city and the nation. 

1)        Measuring the benefits of reuse in the circular economy: I am lead investigator on this ARC Linkage Project which aims to build understanding of the role of charitable and community organisations in facilitating reuse in the circular economy and to inform policy and programs to support reuse in addition to materials recycling.

2)        Household innovation and the transition to the low waste city: I am Lead investigator on this Australian Research Council Discovery Project that examines the potential of households to contribute as innovators in a low waste sustainability transition.

3)        Investigating innovative waste economies: Redrawing the circular economy: This project, led by Prof Gay Hawkins at Western Sydney University, examines innovative case studies addressing single use plastics, organics and textiles to understand how more sustainable waste economies are practially developed.

Supervision interests

I am interested in research students with a strong background in social sciences with demonstrated experience with social science theory and methods. I particularly welcome applicants in the following areas:

• Sustainable consumption – social movements, geographies of waste and recycling, housing and sustainable consumption etc.
• Environmental governance at local, national and international scales particularly around waste and recycling, biodiversity, storm water, and air quality
• Environmental justice – especially the interface of expert knowledge and community perspectives on environmental change.

Monash teaching commitment

APG5428 Environmental Governance and Citizenship (Master of Environment and Sustainability, core in Environment and Governance specialisation)

APG5230 Field Studies in Environmental Governance (Master of Environment and Sustainability, core in Environment and Governance specialisation)

ATS3546 Environmental Assessment and Decision Making