Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrence
Emeritus Professor

Geoffrey Lawrence

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Background

Geoff is a leading Australian sociologist with interests in rural and regional sociology, globalisation/localisation and agrifood research.

He attended James Ruse Agricultural High School in Sydney and was School Captain in 1968. He then completed a degree in agricultural economics at Sydney University in 1972. This was followed by a diploma in social science (UNE), Master of Science in Sociology (Wisconisn-Madison) and a PhD (Griffith). In 1992 he became Associate Professor of Sociology and Foundation Director, Centre for Rural Social Research, at Charles Sturt University before moving later that year to Central Queensland University as Foundation Professor of Sociology (1992-2002) and Executive Director, Institute for Sustainable Regional Development (1998-2002). He joined The University of Queensland as Professor of Sociology and Head of the School of Social Science in 2002. He is a Life Member of the Fitzroy Basin Association, a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, Life Member of the Australian Sociological Association, and was President of the International Rural Sociology Association (2012-2016). He became Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Queensland in 2014.

His full profile can be seen at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Lawrence_(sociologist)

Availability

Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrence is:
Not available for supervision

Fields of research

Sociology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Sydney
  • Postgraduate Diploma, University of New England Australia
  • Masters (Coursework) of Science, University of Wisconsin
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Griffith University

Research interests

  • Agriculture, the Environment and the Politics of Sustainability

    The questions are: To what extent is 'greening' and green politics influencing the course of agricultural development and resulting in policies aimed at reducing ecological destruction? What is the nature of the debates and theorisations regarding productivism/post-productivism in the rural landscapes of advance economies? In a practical sense, how is it possible to ensure that current and future natural resource management will provide sustainable outcomes for society?

  • Globalisation, Localisation and Restructuring of Regional Australia

    This is a broad area whcih includes an examination of the social affects of economic change upon regions and highlights town decline, poverty, unemployment and ill-health - as well as the 'ingredients' for successful community development and the enhancement of social capital. Issues of empowerment and governance are crucial to the understanding of the future of the regions. The issue of global/local relations is also of significance - particularly as Australian governments seek to promote 'self help' and 'partnership' options.

  • Financialisation of Food and Farming

    Finance capital is playing an increasingly important role in food and farming industries. Entities like merchant banks, sovereign wealth funds, private equity firms and hedge funds are purchasing farmlands and agribusinesses in an effort to increase returns to shareholders. However, some of these activities are speculative and lead to food price distortions; others impact upon traditional owners when so-called 'land grabs' force producers from their farms. 'Financialisation' is seen as being as important as globalisation and neoliberalism in altering the face of food and farming.

Search Professor Geoffrey Lawrence’s works on UQ eSpace

533 works between 1980 and 2024
All (533) Journal Article (163) Book Chapter (110) Conference Publication (218) Book (29) Other Outputs (9) Edited Outputs (4)

361 - 380 of 533 works

1997

Journal Article

Improving distance education delivery

Cuskelly, D., Purnell, K. and Lawrence, G. (1997). Improving distance education delivery. Northern Radius, 4 (2), 13-15.

Improving distance education delivery

1997

Conference Publication

Changing spaces: the effects of macro-social forces on rural Australia

Gray, I., Lawrence, G. and Stehlik, D. (1997). Changing spaces: the effects of macro-social forces on rural Australia. XVII Congress of the European Society for Rural Sociology, Chania, Crete, 25-29 August 1997.

Changing spaces: the effects of macro-social forces on rural Australia

1997

Journal Article

Out of the shadows: The critical sociology of sport in Australia, 1986 to 1996

Rowe, D, McKay, J and Lawrence, G (1997). Out of the shadows: The critical sociology of sport in Australia, 1986 to 1996. Sociology of Sport Journal, 14 (4), 340-361. doi: 10.1123/ssj.14.4.340

Out of the shadows: The critical sociology of sport in Australia, 1986 to 1996

1997

Book Chapter

Framing the Drought: a Sociological Approach

Lawrence, G., Stehlik, D., Gray, I. and Bulis, H. (1997). Framing the Drought: a Sociological Approach. Mapping Regional Cultures. (pp. 67-83) edited by Mules, W. and Miller, H.. Rockhampton, QLD Australia: Rural Social and Economic Research Centre, Central Queensland University.

Framing the Drought: a Sociological Approach

1997

Conference Publication

Rural sociology in Australian universities: a critical review

Lawrence, G. (1997). Rural sociology in Australian universities: a critical review. Annual Conference of the Australian Sociological Association, University of Wollongong, NSW Australia, 9-12 December 1997.

Rural sociology in Australian universities: a critical review

1997

Conference Publication

Economic management, social contradiction and climate disaster: drought policy in the 1990s

Gray, I., Stehlik, D. and Lawrence, G. (1997). Economic management, social contradiction and climate disaster: drought policy in the 1990s. Rural Australia 2000 Conference, Wagga Wagga, NSW Australia, 2-4 July 1997.

Economic management, social contradiction and climate disaster: drought policy in the 1990s

1997

Journal Article

Rural sociology – Does it have a future in Australian universities?

Lawrence, Geoffrey (1997). Rural sociology – Does it have a future in Australian universities?. Rural Society: the journal of research into rural and regional social issues in Australia, 7 (1), 29-36. doi: 10.5172/rsj.7.1.29

Rural sociology – Does it have a future in Australian universities?

1997

Book Chapter

Nationalism

Lawrence, G. and Rowe, D. (1997). Nationalism. The Oxford Companion to Australian Sport. (pp. 252-254) edited by Vamplew, W. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Oxford University Press.

Nationalism

1997

Conference Publication

Farm families in times of crisis: drought, health and family decision-making

Stehlik, D., Gray, I. and Lawrence, G. (1997). Farm families in times of crisis: drought, health and family decision-making. National Conference on Rural Health, Department of Primary Industries and Energy, Adelaide, 13-15 October 1997.

Farm families in times of crisis: drought, health and family decision-making

1997

Book Chapter

A Critical Assessment of Landcare in a Region of Central Queensland

Lawrence, G. and Morrisey, P. (1997). A Critical Assessment of Landcare in a Region of Central Queensland. Critical Landcare. (pp. 217-226) edited by Lockie, S. and Vanclay, F.. Wagga Wagga, NSW Australia: Centre for Rural Social Research.

A Critical Assessment of Landcare in a Region of Central Queensland

1997

Conference Publication

Limits to the Australian Sugar Industry: Social Factors

Gray, I. and Lawrence, G. (1997). Limits to the Australian Sugar Industry: Social Factors. Sugar 2000 Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 20–23 August 1996. London, United Kingdom: CAB International.

Limits to the Australian Sugar Industry: Social Factors

1997

Conference Publication

The Australian Canon in Leisure, Tourism and Sports Studies

Rowe, D. and Lawrence, G. (1997). The Australian Canon in Leisure, Tourism and Sports Studies. ANZALS Conference 1997, Newcastle, NSW Australia, 1997. Newcastle, NSW Australia: Department of Leisure Studies, University of Newcastle.

The Australian Canon in Leisure, Tourism and Sports Studies

1996

Journal Article

Predictors of stress among Australian farmers

Gray, Ian and Lawrence, Geoffrey (1996). Predictors of stress among Australian farmers. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 31 (2), 173-189. doi: 10.1002/j.1839-4655.1996.tb01048.x

Predictors of stress among Australian farmers

1996

Journal Article

A direction towards sustainability? Australian rural communities and care for the aged

Lawrence, Geoffrey and Stehlik, Dani (1996). A direction towards sustainability? Australian rural communities and care for the aged. Community Development Society. Journal, 27 (1), 45-55. doi: 10.1080/15575339609489848

A direction towards sustainability? Australian rural communities and care for the aged

1996

Conference Publication

The impact of gender issues in social research: a sociological study of drought in Queensland and NSW

Stehlik, D., Bulis, H., Gray, I. and Lawrence, G. (1996). The impact of gender issues in social research: a sociological study of drought in Queensland and NSW. Australian Women's Studies Association Conference 'Feminist Futures: New Directions in Theory and Practice', Perth, WA Australia, 27-29 November 1996.

The impact of gender issues in social research: a sociological study of drought in Queensland and NSW

1996

Conference Publication

Rural restructuring: the impact of drought in Central Queensland

Lawrence, G., Gray, I. and Stehlik, D. (1996). Rural restructuring: the impact of drought in Central Queensland. IV Conference of the Australasian Agri-food Research Network, Melbourne, Australia, 4-6 July 1996.

Rural restructuring: the impact of drought in Central Queensland

1996

Journal Article

'Rural Policy' a contradiction in terms? The example of aged care policy in Australia

Stehlik, D. and Lawrence, G. (1996). 'Rural Policy' a contradiction in terms? The example of aged care policy in Australia. Journal of the Australian Studies Institute, 3 (1), 91-108.

'Rural Policy' a contradiction in terms? The example of aged care policy in Australia

1996

Book Chapter

Introduction

Burch, D., Lawrence, G. and Rickson, R. (1996). Introduction. Globalisation and Agri-food Restructuring: Perspectives from the Australasia Region. (pp. 1-13) edited by Burch, D., Lawrence, G. and Rickson, R.. London, United Kingdom: Avebury.

Introduction

1996

Book Chapter

Consumer attitudes to genetically-engineered food products: focus group research in Rockhampton, Queensland

Norton, J. and Lawrence, G. (1996). Consumer attitudes to genetically-engineered food products: focus group research in Rockhampton, Queensland. Social change in rural Australia. (pp. 290-311) edited by G. Lawrence, K. Lyons and S. Momtaz. Rockhampton, QLD, Australia: Rural Social and Economic Research Centre.

Consumer attitudes to genetically-engineered food products: focus group research in Rockhampton, Queensland

1996

Book

Globalisation and Agri-food Restructuring: Perspectives from the Australasian Region

David Burch, Roy E Rickson and Geoffrey Lawrence eds. (1996). Globalisation and Agri-food Restructuring: Perspectives from the Australasian Region. London: Avebury.

Globalisation and Agri-food Restructuring: Perspectives from the Australasian Region

Past funding

  • 2016 - 2021
    Food, Farming and Financialisation: Agri-food Transformations in Australia
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Frogs, fuel, finance or food? Cultures, values, ethics, arguments and justifications in the management of agricultural land (FORFOOD)
    Centre for Rural Research
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Governing Food Security in Australia in an Era of Climate Change: A Sociological Analysis
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2015
    The New Farm Owners: Finance Companies and the Restructuring of Australian and Global Agriculture
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Local government, mining companies and resources development in regional Australia: meeting the governance challenge
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Globally Engaged? Responses to Neoliberal Globalisation among Family Farmers in Australia
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Review of the Community Futures Task Force (Stage 1)
    Community Futures Task Force Unit
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2011
    From Seedling to Supermarket: The Social and Environmental Implications for Australia of the Restructuring of Agri-food Supply Chains
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2009
    ARC Research Network in Spatially Integrated Social Science
    ARC Research Networks
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Organics, environment and sustainability
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Agri-food Applications of Genetically-Modified Organisms: Public Perceptions Risk and Sustainability
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    Building sustainable social capital in new communities.
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    Engaged government: a study of government-community engagement for regional outcomes
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2003
    The social construct of safe foods: Uncertainty, risk and trust in agri-food applications of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2003
    An Analysis of the Patterns of Consumption, Community Impacts and Returns on Investment of Rural Popular Cultural Activities
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2006
    Governance, institutional capacity and regional planning: A Central Queensland case study.
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2005
    Farmer adoption of sustainable land management practices in the Fitzroy Basin, Central Queensland.
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2002
    The Sustainability of Australian Rural Communities
    Academy of Social Sciences
    Open grant

Availability

Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrence is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Climate Change in Rural Fiji: Reproduction, Erosion and Limitations of Social Resilience in Intercultural Domains

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Richard Martin, Dr Kim de Rijke

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Climate Change in Rural Fiji: Reproduction, Erosion and Limitations of Social Resilience in Intercultural Domains

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Richard Martin, Dr Kim de Rijke

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Climate Change in Rural Fiji: Reproduction, Erosion and Limitations of Social Resilience in Intercultural Domains

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Richard Martin, Dr Kim de Rijke

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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