Project Team

Farida Fozdar (aka Tilbury), a sociologist and Professor at Curtin University, specializes in migration, race, ethnicity, and related topics. With 130+ publications, she's an influential figure in her field, supervising over 20 PhD students. She joined Curtin in 2022 under the Global Futures initiative, following roles at Murdoch University and UWA. Farida held leadership positions, chaired diversity groups, and actively contributed to academic networks and initiatives, including the Migration Update and Sociology Out West network, showcasing her commitment to social research and global education.  

Associate Professor David Mickler Dean Global, Africa at  Curtin University. He is involved in various external roles, including serving as the Australian Representative to the Indian Ocean Rim Association Academic Group (IORAG), being a Board Member of the Australia Africa Universities Network (AAUN), holding the title of Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), and participating as an External Member on the Strategic Planning Committee of the Organisation of African Communities in WA (OACWA).

Sarah Prout Quicke is a human/development geographer. Her research examines population, development and social policy issues in Indigenous Australia and Africa, with particular focus on Indigenous mobility and migration, education and housing policy, and regional development in resource economies. Prior to her appointment at UWA, Sarah led the Indigenous mobilities research subtheme on the MCATSIA Populations Project at the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University. Sarah teaches in population, migration, and social geography.

Dr. Dominic Dagbanja is a senior law lecturer at the University of Western Australia he is also a researcher specialising in international investment law and its impact on public interest regulation. With a background in law and sociology, he has practised as a lawyer and received extensive education at various global universities. Dr. Dagbanja is currently developing a unit on International Investment Law for undergraduate students at UWA, focusing on the importance of investment treaties and their implications for state regulation. His research-led teaching aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice in this critical legal field.

Dr. Kiros Hiruy is a Development Anthropologist with expertise in regional and international development. His journey began as a Lecturer in Animal Sciences and evolved into a development practitioner working in diverse communities. He specializes in participatory learning and social return on investment, collaborating with various stakeholders to find sustainable solutions. Kiros' experiences span international and regional development, sustainable farming, training, social research, environmental management, and migration and settlement in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and Australia.

Karen Farquharson is a Professor of Sociology and the Chair of the Anti-Racism Hallmark Research Initiative at the University of Melbourne. She also serves as the President of Academic Board. Her research focuses on the sociology of 'race,' racism, and diversity, with a particular emphasis on media and sport contexts. She has authored and co-authored several books and collections, exploring topics such as diversity management in organizations and the politics of belonging. Karen's education includes degrees from Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley.

Associate Professor Janet Dzator is an accomplished applied economist specializing in macroeconomic trends, health economics, development economics, and more. She earned her degrees from the University of Ghana and the University of Queensland, Australia. At the University of Newcastle, she has held various leadership roles and engaged in extensive research on economic development, health, and nutrition challenges. Dr. Dzator is a dedicated educator, research supervisor, and active contributor to top-ranking journals, emphasizing collaborative, real-world problem-solving in her work. Her leadership extends to roles in academic boards, research centres, and program coordination.

Professor Chika Anyanwu is an educational leader renowned for reshaping academic institutions into contemporary educational hubs. He has held leadership roles in several universities and currently has dual appointments at the University of Sydney and South Australia Department of Education. Chika's research areas encompass digital media policy, creative industries, African political economy, diaspora, and migration, with numerous publications and successful research projects. He holds a PhD in Film, a First Class Honours, and an MA in Theatre and Media Arts. His extensive accolades include fellowships and recognition for his leadership and contributions to academia.

Alan Gamlen is a Professor at The Australian National University's School of Regulation and Global Governance, specializing in human migration and mobility. He has held positions at prestigious institutions worldwide, including Oxford University and Stanford University. As the Founding Editor-in-Chief of Migration Studies, he played a pivotal role in the field. Alan's research has received funding from various organizations and he has advised international bodies, governments, and NGOs on migration policy. His book, "Human Geopolitics," earned him the 2020 Distinguished Book Award for Ethnicity and Migration. 

Dr. Muhammad Dan Suleiman is an International Relations lecturer and research associate at Curtin University. He is a 2020 Fellow of the United Nations Fellowship Program for People of African Descent (Office of the UNHCR, Geneva) and an Ambassador of the Emerging Leaders in Australia-Africa Diplomacy (ELAAD) Programme. Muhammad has a PhD in Political Science and International Relations from UWA, a Master of Research degree in Politics and Modern History from Macquarie University, and a Bachelor of Arts (Hon) degree from the University of Ghana. He has received specialised training in inter-faith dialogue, fieldwork practice, and Decoloniality theory (University of South Africa, Pretoria).

Ms Ruvimbo "Ruvi" Goredema is a PhD candidate specialising in the African Diaspora with a strong foundation in project management, research, and communication.  She holds a master's degree in Political Communication (cum laude) and has published work on gender issues and rhetoric. Experienced in facilitating discussions, conducting research, and producing reports for organisations like the World Bank. She has successfully managed operations in the migration sector, demonstrating skills in strategic advising, stakeholder liaison, and team leadership. Ruvi is committed to academic research and making meaningful contributions to the field of African studies in Australia. 

Ms. Nothando Ngwenya is a project officer specialising in the coordination of social science projects at the state and national level. She holds a Master's degree in International Development from the University of Western Australia with a keen interest in migration, particularly the experiences of the African diaspora.