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)

121 - 140 of 533 works

2009

Journal Article

Social interaction and sense of community in a master planned community

Rosenblatt, Ted, Cheshire, Lynda and Lawrence, Geoffrey (2009). Social interaction and sense of community in a master planned community. Housing Theory and Society, 26 (2), 122-142. doi: 10.1080/14036090701862484

Social interaction and sense of community in a master planned community

2009

Conference Publication

Australian food-safety regulatory tools and shifts in agri-food governance

Davies, S., Lawrence, G. and Richards, C. (2009). Australian food-safety regulatory tools and shifts in agri-food governance. XVI Conference of the Australasian Agri-food Research Network, Auckland, New Zealand, 24-27 November 2009.

Australian food-safety regulatory tools and shifts in agri-food governance

2009

Conference Publication

'Sell Banks - Buy Cheese': The global financial crisis and farmland investment in the developed countries

Burch, D. and Lawrence, G. (2009). 'Sell Banks - Buy Cheese': The global financial crisis and farmland investment in the developed countries. XVI Conference of the Australasian Agri-food Research Network, Auckland, New Zealand, 24-27 November 2009.

'Sell Banks - Buy Cheese': The global financial crisis and farmland investment in the developed countries

2009

Conference Publication

Uncertainty and environmental responsibility: closing the knowledge-action gap

Wallington, T. and Lawrence, G. (2009). Uncertainty and environmental responsibility: closing the knowledge-action gap. Asia-Pacific Science, Technology and Society Network Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 23-25 November 2009.

Uncertainty and environmental responsibility: closing the knowledge-action gap

2009

Book Chapter

The sociology of climate change for regional Australia: Considering farmer capacity for change

Gray, Ian, Lawrence, Geoffrey and Sinclair, Peter (2009). The sociology of climate change for regional Australia: Considering farmer capacity for change. Climate change in regional Australia: Social learning and adaptation. (pp. 136-158) edited by J. Martin, M. Rogers and C. Winter. Victoria, Australia: VURRN Press.

The sociology of climate change for regional Australia: Considering farmer capacity for change

2009

Conference Publication

Growing pressures on first world food exporters: from climate change to supermarkets

Lawrence, G. (2009). Growing pressures on first world food exporters: from climate change to supermarkets. Keynote Address, University of Otago 44th Foreign Policy School 'Dimensions of the Global Food Crisis', Dunedin, New Zealand, 26-28 June 2009.

Growing pressures on first world food exporters: from climate change to supermarkets

2009

Book

Food security, nutrition and sustainability

Geoffrey Lawrence, Kristen Lyons and Tabatha Wallington eds. (2009). Food security, nutrition and sustainability. London, United Kingdom: Earthscan.

Food security, nutrition and sustainability

2009

Conference Publication

Food security in a globalised world: a critical assessment

Lawrence, G., Burch, D. and Almas, R. (2009). Food security in a globalised world: a critical assessment. Keynote Address, 23rd Congress of the European Society for Rural Sociology, Vaasa, Finland, 17-21 August 2009.

Food security in a globalised world: a critical assessment

2009

Conference Publication

Workably competitive? Supermarkets, market power and the ACCC

Richards, C., Burch, D., Lawrence, G. and Leong, M. (2009). Workably competitive? Supermarkets, market power and the ACCC. XVI Conference of the Australasian Agri-food Research Network, Auckland, New Zealand, 24-27 November 2009.

Workably competitive? Supermarkets, market power and the ACCC

2009

Book Chapter

Accounting for performance: Public environmental governance in the shadow of the future

Wallington, Tabatha and Lawrence, Geoffrey (2009). Accounting for performance: Public environmental governance in the shadow of the future. Contested Country. (pp. 91-107) edited by Marcus Lane, Cathy Robinson and Bruce Taylor. Australia: CSIRO Publishing.

Accounting for performance: Public environmental governance in the shadow of the future

2008

Conference Publication

Safety, Quality and the Future of Food: Consumer Perspectives of Traditional and Modern Food Risks

Buchler, S., Lawrence, G. and Smith, K. (2008). Safety, Quality and the Future of Food: Consumer Perspectives of Traditional and Modern Food Risks. XV Conference of the Australasian Agri-food Research Network, Sydney, NSW Australia, 26-28 November 2008.

Safety, Quality and the Future of Food: Consumer Perspectives of Traditional and Modern Food Risks

2008

Conference Publication

The Myth of Trust: Supermarkets, Risk and the Re-manufacturing of Food Providence

Richards, C. and Lawrence, G. (2008). The Myth of Trust: Supermarkets, Risk and the Re-manufacturing of Food Providence. XV Conference of the Australasian Agri-food Research Network, Sydney, NSW Australia, 26-28 November 2008.

The Myth of Trust: Supermarkets, Risk and the Re-manufacturing of Food Providence

2008

Conference Publication

The Sociology of Climate Change for Regional Australia: Farmer Capacity for Change Amid Drivers for Consensus and Certainty in an Uncertain Environment

Gray, I., Lawrence, G. and Sinclair, P. (2008). The Sociology of Climate Change for Regional Australia: Farmer Capacity for Change Amid Drivers for Consensus and Certainty in an Uncertain Environment. XV Conference of the Australasian Agri-food Research Network, Sydney, NSW Australia, 26-28 November 2008.

The Sociology of Climate Change for Regional Australia: Farmer Capacity for Change Amid Drivers for Consensus and Certainty in an Uncertain Environment

2008

Conference Publication

Financialisation of the Food System: A Preliminary Analysis

Burch, D. and Lawrence, G. (2008). Financialisation of the Food System: A Preliminary Analysis. XV Conference of the Australasian Agri-food Research Network, Sydney, NSW Australia, 26-28 November 2008.

Financialisation of the Food System: A Preliminary Analysis

2008

Conference Publication

The 'Wellness' Phenomenon: Implications for Global Agri-food Systems

Burch, D. and Lawrence, G. (2008). The 'Wellness' Phenomenon: Implications for Global Agri-food Systems. XII World Congress of Rural Sociology, Goyang, South Korea, 6-11 July 2008.

The 'Wellness' Phenomenon: Implications for Global Agri-food Systems

2008

Conference Publication

Organics Industry in Australia

Neal, S. and Lawrence, G. (2008). Organics Industry in Australia. XII World Congress of Rural Sociology, Goyang, South Korea, 6-11 July 2008.

Organics Industry in Australia

2008

Journal Article

Making democracy matter: Responsibility and effective environmental governance in regional Australia

Wallington, Tabatha J. and Lawrence, Geoffrey (2008). Making democracy matter: Responsibility and effective environmental governance in regional Australia. Journal of Rural Studies, 24 (3), 277-290. doi: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2007.11.003

Making democracy matter: Responsibility and effective environmental governance in regional Australia

2008

Conference Publication

(No?) Accounting for Performance

Wallington, T. and Lawrence, G. (2008). (No?) Accounting for Performance. Contested Country: Local and Regional Environmental Management in Australia, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 15-16 April 2008.

(No?) Accounting for Performance

2008

Journal Article

Reflections on the legitimacy of regional environmental governance: Lessons from Australia's experiment in natural resource management

Wallington, Tabatha, Lawrence, Geoffrey and Loechel, Barton (2008). Reflections on the legitimacy of regional environmental governance: Lessons from Australia's experiment in natural resource management. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 10 (1), 1-30. doi: 10.1080/15239080701652763

Reflections on the legitimacy of regional environmental governance: Lessons from Australia's experiment in natural resource management

2008

Journal Article

Understanding Agency culture: Findings from the Engaged Government Project, Queensland, Australia

Lawrence, G. A., Loechel, B., Cheshire, L.A. and Oliver, P. (2008). Understanding Agency culture: Findings from the Engaged Government Project, Queensland, Australia. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 3 (4), 127-135. doi: 10.18848/1833-1882/cgp/v03i04/52570

Understanding Agency culture: Findings from the Engaged Government Project, Queensland, 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:
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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