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:
Available for supervision
Media expert

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

532 works between 1980 and 2022
All (532) Journal Article (163) Book Chapter (110) Conference Publication (218) Book (28) Other Outputs (9) Edited Outputs (4)

401 - 420 of 532 works

1995

Book

The Environmental Imperative: Eco-social Concerns for Australian Agriculture

Vanclay, Frank and Lawrence, Geoffrey (1995). The Environmental Imperative: Eco-social Concerns for Australian Agriculture. Rockhampton, QLD Australia: Central Queensland University.

The Environmental Imperative: Eco-social Concerns for Australian Agriculture

1995

Conference Publication

Contemporary agri-food restructuring: Australia and New Zealand

Lawrence, G. (1995). Contemporary agri-food restructuring: Australia and New Zealand. III Conference of the Australasian Agri-food Research Network, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 7-9 July 1995.

Contemporary agri-food restructuring: Australia and New Zealand

1995

Conference Publication

Not so sweet: rural restructuring and its community impact - the Mackay Sugar District, Queensland

Passfield, R., Lawrence, G. and McAllister, J. (1995). Not so sweet: rural restructuring and its community impact - the Mackay Sugar District, Queensland. Annual Conference of the Australian Sociological Association, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 4-8 December 1995.

Not so sweet: rural restructuring and its community impact - the Mackay Sugar District, Queensland

1995

Conference Publication

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

Stehlik, D. and Lawrence, G. (1995). A direction for sustainability? Australian rural communities and care for the aged. 27th Annual International Conference of the Community Development Society, Feyetteville, AR, United States, 23-26 July 1995.

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

1995

Conference Publication

Unmasking the situational grief in rural families

Gray, I. and Lawrence, G. (1995). Unmasking the situational grief in rural families. Biennial Conference of the National Association of Loss and Grief, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 12-14 September 1995. Adelaide, SA, Australia: National Association of Loss and Grief.

Unmasking the situational grief in rural families

1995

Book

Futures for Rural Australia: From Agricultural Productivism to Community Sustainability

Lawrence, Geoffrey (1995). Futures for Rural Australia: From Agricultural Productivism to Community Sustainability. Rockhampton, QLD Australia: Central Queensland University.

Futures for Rural Australia: From Agricultural Productivism to Community Sustainability

1995

Conference Publication

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

Norton, J. and Lawrence, G. (1995). Consumer attitudes to genetically-engineered food products: focus group research in Rockhampton, Queensland. Annual Conference of the Australian Sociological Association, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 4-8 December 1995.

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

1995

Book Chapter

Fear and loathing in Wagga Wagga: cultural representations of rurality and possible policy implications

Share, P. and Lawrence, G. (1995). Fear and loathing in Wagga Wagga: cultural representations of rurality and possible policy implications. Communication and culture in rural areas. (pp. 97-106) edited by P. Share. Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia: Centre for Rural Social Research.

Fear and loathing in Wagga Wagga: cultural representations of rurality and possible policy implications

1995

Conference Publication

Beyond national sport: sociology and history

Rowe, D. and Lawrence, G. (1995). Beyond national sport: sociology and history. Sporting Traditions X Conference, Australian Society for Sports History, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 26-30 June 1995.

Beyond national sport: sociology and history

1995

Journal Article

Management of trees on central Queensland beef properties

Gray, J. and Lawrence, G. (1995). Management of trees on central Queensland beef properties. ExtensionNet, 2 (6), 4-5.

Management of trees on central Queensland beef properties

1995

Journal Article

Agricultural extension as social welfare

Vanclay, Frank and Lawrence, Geoffrey (1995). Agricultural extension as social welfare. Rural Society: the journal of research into rural and regional social issues in Australia, 5 (1), 20-33. doi: 10.5172/rsj.5.1.20

Agricultural extension as social welfare

1995

Conference Publication

Towards a social construction of drought: a preliminary analysis

Stehlik, D., Witcomb, A., Lawrence, G. and Gray, I. (1995). Towards a social construction of drought: a preliminary analysis. Annual Conference of the Australian Sociological Association, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 4-8 December 1995.

Towards a social construction of drought: a preliminary analysis

1995

Conference Publication

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

Stehlik, D. and Lawrence, G. (1995). 'Rural Policy' - A contradiction in terms? The example of aged care policy in Australia. NSW Rural Social Policy Conference, 'Rural Communities Looking Ahead', Dubbo, NSW, Australia, 28-30 June 1995.

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

1994

Journal Article

Farmer rationality and the adoption of environmentally sound practices; A critique of the assumptions of traditional agricultural extension

Vanclay, F. and Lawrence, G. (1994). Farmer rationality and the adoption of environmentally sound practices; A critique of the assumptions of traditional agricultural extension. European Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 1 (1), 59-90. doi: 10.1080/13892249485300061

Farmer rationality and the adoption of environmentally sound practices; A critique of the assumptions of traditional agricultural extension

1994

Journal Article

Industry involvement in Australian agrobiotechnology: the views of scientists

Lawrence, G. and Norton, J. (1994). Industry involvement in Australian agrobiotechnology: the views of scientists. Australasian Biotechnology, 4 (6), 362-368.

Industry involvement in Australian agrobiotechnology: the views of scientists

1994

Conference Publication

A critical assessment of Landcare: evidence from Central Queensland

Morrisey, P. and Lawrence, G. (1994). A critical assessment of Landcare: evidence from Central Queensland. Annual Conference of the Australian Sociological Association, Geelong, Australia, 7-10 December 1994.

A critical assessment of Landcare: evidence from Central Queensland

1994

Conference Publication

Is Queensland different? Findings from a study of Landcare Groups in the Wide-Bay - Burnett region

Morissey, P. and Lawrence, G. (1994). Is Queensland different? Findings from a study of Landcare Groups in the Wide-Bay - Burnett region. Landcare in the Balance Conference, Australian Landcare Movement, Hobart, Tasmania, 6-9 September 1994.

Is Queensland different? Findings from a study of Landcare Groups in the Wide-Bay - Burnett region

1994

Conference Publication

A contribution towards a contemporary political economy of rural Australia: issues and insights

Lawrence, G. (1994). A contribution towards a contemporary political economy of rural Australia: issues and insights. Political Economy Twentieth Year Anniversary Conference, Sydney, Australia, 22 October 1994.

A contribution towards a contemporary political economy of rural Australia: issues and insights

1994

Journal Article

Global sport? Core concern and peripheral vision

Rowe, David, Lawrence, Geoffrey, Miller, Toby and McKay, Jim (1994). Global sport? Core concern and peripheral vision. Media, Culture & Society, 16 (4), 661-675. doi: 10.1177/016344379401600408

Global sport? Core concern and peripheral vision

1994

Conference Publication

Keynote Address: Beyond the eastern seaboard: what future for rural and remote Australia?

Lawrence, G. and Killion, F. (1994). Keynote Address: Beyond the eastern seaboard: what future for rural and remote Australia?. Annual Congress of the Australian Council of Social Services, Brisbane, Australia, 26-28 October 1994.

Keynote Address: Beyond the eastern seaboard: what future for rural and remote Australia?

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:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Students can be involved in work on ARC and other projects exploring:

    Structural change in agriculture; changes power relations along agri-food chains; the financialisation of food and farming.

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

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrence directly for media enquiries about:

  • Agriculture - sociology
  • Financialisation
  • Food security
  • Globalisation
  • Neoliberalism
  • Rural Australia

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