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Our people

The Institute for the Study of Social Change brings together researchers across the University of Tasmania who are passionate about understanding and addressing social change in this state and beyond.

Institute staff, together with our colleagues across the university, deliver a range of policy, demographic and social research services aimed at informing public policy and community debate.

We present free public events aimed at stimulating discussion around key issues affecting Tasmania and the wider community.

Our team

  • Prof Richard Eccleston

Richard is a political scientist specialising in tax and budget politics. He is the founding Director of the Institute for the Study of Social Change.
  • Dr Meredith Nash

Meredith Nash is a feminist sociologist who studies the depth and character of gender-based inequalities. She is Deputy Director of the Institute for the Study of Social Change.
  • Prof Elaine Stratford

Elaine is an internationally renowned scholar in the fields of human geography and island studies, working at the interface of the social sciences and geohumanities. She is a researcher with the Institute for the Study of Social Change.
  • Dr Lisa Denny

Lisa is a research fellow with the Institute for the Study of Social Change. As a demographer and quantitative researcher, Lisa provides independent demographic analysis at a state, regional and local level using multiple social and economic variables.
  • Dr Kim Jose

Kim Jose is a research fellow with the Institute for the Study of Social Change and the Institute's Evaluation Manager. She is also a Post Doctoral Research Fellow at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research with an interest in the prevention and management of chronic disease.
  • Dr Theresa Doherty

Theresa Doherty is a research fellow with the Institute for the Study of Social Change. She has extensive experience in the public and academic sectors and as a private consultant in policy analysis, research and program evaluation.
  • Dr Susan Banks

Susan Banks is a senior research fellow with the Institute for the Study of Social Change, and a lecturer in the School of Social Sciences. An expert on the aged care sector, Susan also collaborates with researchers in the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, the College of Health and Medicine and the School of Law at the University of Tasmania.
  • Sarah Hyslop

Sarah Hyslop is a project manager with the Institute for the Study of Social Change, who oversees the delivery of contract research programs related to topics including social services, health and tourism. Sarah’s background is in policy research and she is currently undertaking a Masters degree in Public Policy.
  • Lachlan Johnson

Lachlan is the inaugural recipient of a joint PhD scholarship awarded by the University of Tasmania and the Department of Premier and Cabinet for research that addresses policy challenges affecting the state.
  • Dr Julia Verdouw

Julia is a research fellow in the Housing and Community Research Unit (HACRU) in the School of Social Sciences. She brings a sociological lens to her work in housing research, which has focused on access to housing for marginalised groups including remote Indigenous tenants, people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and social housing tenants.
  • Andrew Pitt

Andrew is a Northern Representative for the Institute for the Study of Social Change, based in Launceston's CBD. Andrew’s recent work for the University of Tasmania has focused on how the Northern Transformation project can change Launceston into a real University city. He is a director and vice president of the Launceston Chamber of Commerce and a director and former chair of Cityprom. He is a Tasmanian Leaders Program graduate and director of the ‘Tasmanian Breath of Fresh Air’ Film Festival.

  • Dr Kim Mcleod

Kim is a Lecturer in Sociology in the School of Social Sciences. She explores contemporary health issues in novel ways by combining social theory with creative qualitative research methods. Kim brings an interdisciplinary approach to her research practice. Kim’s research contributes to health equity by alerting students, scholars and communities to the links between the social dimensions of health and wellbeing, cultural safety, and health outcomes.
  • Robin Krabbe

Robin is a research assistant with the Anticipatory Care project. She has an interest in social, economic and environmental sustainability, community development and the relationship between these and health and wellbeing.

  • Miriam Vandenberg

Miriam is a public health researcher and practitioner with a particular interest in the social determinants of health and health equity. With more than 20 years experience working in the areas of public and environmental health, she has worked for local and state governments, the private and community sectors, and as a public health consultant. Miriam is currently completing her PhD with Southgate Institute for Health Society and Equity at Flinders University on the health and wellbeing of people who work in the informal economy.

  • Nyree Pisanu

Nyree is a research assistant with the Institute for the Study of Social Change, currently working on projects related to population change in Tasmania. Nyree is also undertaking a PhD in Sociology/Public Policy within the School of Social Sciences at UTAS.

  • Zoë Jay

Dr Zoë Jay is a lecturer in International Relations in the School of Social Sciences, as well as a researcher with the Institute for the Study of Social Change. Her research focuses on European politics, human rights, and the politics of international law. She is particularly interested in the relationships between national and international politics, the UK’s relationships with European institutions, and the domestic political factors that influence states’ decisions to uphold international law.
  • Thérèse Murray

Thérèse Murray is a Research Assistant with the Anticipatory Care project. She is human geographer, with an interest in Place and places, and their implication in human wellbeing and flourishing.

Vice-Chancellor's research fellow Saul Eslake

Vice-Chancellor’s research fellow: Saul Eslake

Since his appointment as Vice Chancellor’s Fellow in 2016 Saul has made a significant contribution to the Institute’s policy research and events program.

Affiliated researchers

The Institute has an open membership of affiliated researchers which consists of scholars from across the University of Tasmania whose research interests align with the Institute's areas of interest. We welcome new staff members or HDR candidates.

We bring together more than 200 affiliated researchers across the University of Tasmania with an interest in studying social change in all its dimensions.

Our Advisory Board

The ISC Advisory Board was appointed to provide strategic advice on the Institute's future research and community impact strategy. The Board consists of distinguished members of the Tasmanian community and leading national scholars in our fields of research specialisation.

Institute for the Study of Social Change

Links

Contact

Institute for Study of Social Change
University of Tasmania
Private Bag 22
HOBART TAS 7001

E: Richard.Eccleston@utas.edu.au

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We acknowledge the palawa/pakana peoples of lutruwita upon whose lands the University of Tasmania stands.

Authorised by the Director, Institute for the Study of Social Change. © 30 October, 2018 University of Tasmania, Australia. ABN 30 764 374 782. CRICOS Provider Code 00586B