![Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrence](/sites/default/files/profiles/1120.jpeg)
Overview
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
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
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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?
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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.
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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.
Works
Search Professor Geoffrey Lawrence’s works on UQ eSpace
1986
Journal Article
A rural Renaissance? Towards a socialist agriculture for Australia
Lawrence, G. (1986). A rural Renaissance? Towards a socialist agriculture for Australia. Social Alternatives, 5 (2), 36-45.
1986
Book Chapter
Patriarchy, media and sport
Williams, C., Lawrence, G. and Rowe, D. (1986). Patriarchy, media and sport. Power play: essays in the sociology of Australian sport. (pp. 215-229) edited by G. Lawrence and D. Rowe. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Hale and Iremonger.
1986
Journal Article
Family farming and corporate capitalism: the uneasy alliance
Lawrence, G (1986). Family farming and corporate capitalism: the uneasy alliance. Regional Journal of Social Issues.
1986
Journal Article
The cricket season
Lawrence, G. (1986). The cricket season. Australian Left Review, 98.
1986
Book Chapter
The corporate pitch: televised cricket under capitalism
Lawrence, G. and Rowe, D. (1986). The corporate pitch: televised cricket under capitalism. Power play: essays in the sociology of Australian sport. (pp. 166-178) edited by G. Lawrence and D. Rowe. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Hale and Iremonger.
1986
Book Chapter
In the race for profit: commercialism and the Los Angeles Olympics
Lawrence, G. (1986). In the race for profit: commercialism and the Los Angeles Olympics. Power play: essays in the sociology of Australian sport. (pp. 204-214) edited by G. Lawrence and D. Rowe. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Hale and Iremonger.
1986
Book Chapter
Introduction: towards a sociology of sport in Australia
Lawrence, G. and Rowe, D. (1986). Introduction: towards a sociology of sport in Australia. Power play: essays in the sociology of Australian sport. (pp. 13-45) edited by G. Lawrence and D. Rowe. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Hale and Iremonger.
1986
Book Chapter
Saluting the state: nationalism and the Olympics
Rowe, D. and Lawrence, G. (1986). Saluting the state: nationalism and the Olympics. Power play: essays in the sociology of Australian sport. (pp. 196-203) edited by G. Lawrence and D. Rowe. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Hale and Iremonger.
1986
Book Chapter
Postscript: sport as popular culture
Rowe, D. and Lawrence, G. (1986). Postscript: sport as popular culture. Power play: essays in the sociology of Australian sport. (pp. 230-240) edited by G. Lawrence and D. Rowe. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Hale and Iremonger.
1986
Conference Publication
Theorising the farm problem: the limitations of orthodoxy
Lawrence, G. (1986). Theorising the farm problem: the limitations of orthodoxy. Conference of the British Sociological Association Rural Economy and Society Study Group, London, United Kingdom, 7 May 1986.
1986
Conference Publication
Coping with the corporations: farmers and agribusiness in Australia
Lawrence, G. (1986). Coping with the corporations: farmers and agribusiness in Australia. XIII European Congress of Rural Sociology, Braga, Portugal, 1-4 April 1986.
1986
Book Chapter
It's just not cricket!
Lawrence, G. (1986). It's just not cricket!. Power play: essays in the sociology of Australian sport. (pp. 151-165) edited by G. Lawrence and D. Rowe. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Hale and Iremonger.
1985
Journal Article
In the race for profit: commercialism and sport
Lawrence, G. (1985). In the race for profit: commercialism and sport. Access, 20.
1985
Conference Publication
Social change in rural Australia: contemporary issues for educators
Lawrence, G. (1985). Social change in rural Australia: contemporary issues for educators. National Conference for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 3-6 May 1985.
1985
Journal Article
Farming: The Answer Doesn't Lie in the Soil
Lawrence, G. (1985). Farming: The Answer Doesn't Lie in the Soil. Australian Society, 4 (8).
1985
Conference Publication
Sunrise industries: government policies and union responses
Lawrence, G. (1985). Sunrise industries: government policies and union responses. Australian Industry - The Future Conference, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 16-17 March 1985.
1985
Journal Article
Progress and poverty: the farmers' plight
Lawrence, G. (1985). Progress and poverty: the farmers' plight. Arena, 72.
1985
Journal Article
Women and sport: a lost ideal
Williams, Claire Louise, Lawrence, Geoffrey and Rowe, David (1985). Women and sport: a lost ideal. Women's Studies International Forum, 8 (6), 639-645. doi: 10.1016/0277-5395(85)90103-7
1985
Journal Article
'The gladiatorial lust for blood': the media and soccer violence
Lawrence, Geoffrey (1985). 'The gladiatorial lust for blood': the media and soccer violence. The Australian Quarterly, 57 (3), 192-202. doi: 10.2307/20635326
1984
Journal Article
Sport as popular culture
Rowe, D. and Lawrence, G. (1984). Sport as popular culture. Arena, 69.
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrence is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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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
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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
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Financialization and the restructuring of agriculture in Tanzania: Global finance and the takeover of farmland
Principal Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Agri-food transformations in Northern Australia: The work of local actors in mediating financial investments
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kiah Smith
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2017
Master Philosophy
Cultivating climate change resilience in agri-food systems: Responses to natural disasters and emerging climate risks in Queensland's fresh produce supply chains
Principal Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Climate Change Adaptation in Southwest Bangladesh: Vulnerability and Gender Inequality
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Adil Khan
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Rice, politics and power: the political economy of food insecurity in East Asia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Melissa Curley
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
The production of audit assurance: Unintended consequences of retailer governance in the Australian food system
Principal Advisor
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Environmental Governance in Rural Regions: A critical-interpretive perspective on policy implementation in Australia
Principal Advisor
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
Contesting 'ethicality': Ethical trade, gender and sustainable livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Kenya
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristen Lyons
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Lakeside living - realising dreams in a master planned community
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lynda Cheshire
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Regional whole-of-government in Central Queensland: a sociocultural interpretation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lynda Cheshire
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Transformation of the Australian Beef Industry: Integrating Political Economy and Sociocultural Approaches to Agri-Food Restructuring
Principal Advisor
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE CATTLE GRAZING WITHIN A CULTURE OF PRODUCTIVISM? A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY OF BROADSCALE BEEF PRODUCTION IN CENTRAL QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lynda Cheshire
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
REGIONAL PLANNING AS GOOD GOVERNANCE: A CENTRAL QUEENSLAND CASE STUDY
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lynda Cheshire
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2018
Master Philosophy
What is food in the food regime?: Remaking food and markets in a time of crisis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristen Lyons
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Resonance of the land grabbing frame in Mali, West Africa: A social movements and political ecology perspective
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristen Lyons
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
It's for love not money: Queensland graziers' perceptions of sustainable development
Associate Advisor
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Growing old in Springfield Lakes: the possibility of community in a new suburb
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lynda Cheshire
Media
Enquiries
Contact Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrence directly for media enquiries about:
- Agriculture - sociology
- Financialisation
- Food security
- Globalisation
- Neoliberalism
- Rural Australia
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