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)

141 - 160 of 533 works

2008

Conference Publication

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

Wallington, T. and Lawrence, G. (2008). Accounting for performance: public environmental governance in the shadow of the future. Annual Conference of the Australian Sociological Association, Melbourne, Australia, 2-5 December 2008.

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

2008

Conference Publication

Embedded power and food supply: an examination of farmer submissions to the ACCC's inquiry into retail price competition

Richards, C. and Lawrence, G. (2008). Embedded power and food supply: an examination of farmer submissions to the ACCC's inquiry into retail price competition. Annual Conference of the Australian Sociological Association, Melbourne, Australia, 2-5 December 2008.

Embedded power and food supply: an examination of farmer submissions to the ACCC's inquiry into retail price competition

2008

Conference Publication

The Sociology of Climate Change for Regional Australia: Farmer Capacity for Change

Gray, I. and Lawrence, G. (2008). The Sociology of Climate Change for Regional Australia: Farmer Capacity for Change. Climate Change Responses Across Regional Australia: Social Learning and Adaptation Workshop, Bendigo, VIC Australia, 9-11 April 2008.

The Sociology of Climate Change for Regional Australia: Farmer Capacity for Change

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

2007

Conference Publication

Governing Organic: the Changing Industry Regimes in Australia

Neal, S., Lyons, K. and Lawrence, G. (2007). Governing Organic: the Changing Industry Regimes in Australia. XIV Conference of the Australasian Agri-food Research Network, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 25-29 November 2007.

Governing Organic: the Changing Industry Regimes in Australia

2007

Conference Publication

Regional Arrangements for Natural Resource Management in Australia: Toward Responsive Environmental Governance

Wallington, T. and Lawrence, G. (2007). Regional Arrangements for Natural Resource Management in Australia: Toward Responsive Environmental Governance. Annual Conference of the European Sociological Association, Glasgow, Scotland, 3-6 September 2007.

Regional Arrangements for Natural Resource Management in Australia: Toward Responsive Environmental Governance

2007

Conference Publication

Towards a third food regime: behind the transformation

Burch, D. and Lawrence, G. (2007). Towards a third food regime: behind the transformation. Joint Meeting of the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society and the Association for the Study of Food and Society, The University of Victoria, British Columbia, 30 May - 3 June, 2007. Columbia: University of Victoria. doi: 10.1007/s10460-009-9219-4

Towards a third food regime: behind the transformation

2007

Journal Article

Neither 'family' nor 'corporate' farming: Australian tomato growers as farm family entrepreneurs

David, P., Burch, D. and Lawrence, G. (2007). Neither 'family' nor 'corporate' farming: Australian tomato growers as farm family entrepreneurs. Journal of Rural Studies, 23 (1), 75-87. doi: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2006.04.001

Neither 'family' nor 'corporate' farming: Australian tomato growers as farm family entrepreneurs

2007

Journal Article

Social drivers and process of change: Community and regional issues and opportunities for people development in the Australian sugar industry

Jakku, E., Bellamy, J., Kelly, G., Ross, H., Darbis, T., Lawrence, G., Benn, G., Bohnet, I. and Smith, T. (2007). Social drivers and process of change: Community and regional issues and opportunities for people development in the Australian sugar industry. Research and development strategies to advance the Australian sugarcane industry, 2007 (1), 235-263.

Social drivers and process of change: Community and regional issues and opportunities for people development in the Australian sugar industry

2007

Book Chapter

Supermarkets Own Brands, New Foods and the Reconfiguration of Agri-food Supply Chains

Burch, D. and Lawrence, G. (2007). Supermarkets Own Brands, New Foods and the Reconfiguration of Agri-food Supply Chains. Supermarkets and Agri-food Supply Chains: Transformations in the Production and Consumption of Foods. (pp. 100-128) edited by Burch, D. and Lawrence, G.. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.

Supermarkets Own Brands, New Foods and the Reconfiguration of Agri-food Supply Chains

2007

Book Chapter

Rural governance and power relations: Theorising the complexity of state-citizen interactions

Cheshire, Lynda, Higgins, Vaughan and Lawrence, Geoffrey (2007). Rural governance and power relations: Theorising the complexity of state-citizen interactions. Rural governance: International perspectives. (pp. 291-303) edited by L. Cheshire, V. Higgins and G. Lawrence. London, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780203968178

Rural governance and power relations: Theorising the complexity of state-citizen interactions

2007

Book Chapter

Regionalism

Lawrence, G. and Everingham, J. (2007). Regionalism. Oxford Companion to Australian Politics. (pp. 501-503) edited by Galligan, B. and Roberts, W.. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Regionalism

2007

Book

Supermarkets and Agri-food supply chains: Transformations in the production and consumption of foods

David Burch and Geoffrey Lawrence eds. (2007). Supermarkets and Agri-food supply chains: Transformations in the production and consumption of foods. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.

Supermarkets and Agri-food supply chains: Transformations in the production and consumption of foods

2007

Book Chapter

Understanding Supermarkets and Agri-food Supply Chains

Lawrence, G. and Burch, D. (2007). Understanding Supermarkets and Agri-food Supply Chains. Supermarkets and Agri-food Supply Chains: Transformations in the Production and Consumption of Foods. (pp. 1-26) edited by Burch, D. and Lawrence, G.. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.

Understanding Supermarkets and Agri-food Supply Chains

2007

Conference Publication

Climate Change and Food Provision in Australia: Assessment and Implications

Lawrence, Geoffrey A. (2007). Climate Change and Food Provision in Australia: Assessment and Implications. Public Health Nutrition in Australia: New Directions, New Priorities, Brisbane; UQ, 29-30 November, 2007.

Climate Change and Food Provision in Australia: Assessment and Implications

2007

Conference Publication

Third Party Certification as an emerging form of regulation in the Minerals Industry

Schiavi, P. and Lawrence, G. (2007). Third Party Certification as an emerging form of regulation in the Minerals Industry. SDIMI 2007, Milos, Greece, 17 - 20 June 2007. Greece: Heliotopos Conferences.

Third Party Certification as an emerging form of regulation in the Minerals Industry

2007

Book

Rural Governance: International Perspectives

Lynda Cheshire, Vaughan Higgins and Geoffrey Lawrence eds. (2007). Rural Governance: International Perspectives. London: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780203968178

Rural Governance: International Perspectives

2007

Conference Publication

From Food Producers to 'Wellness Companies': Recent Developments in the Global Food Processing Industry

Burch, D. and Lawrence, G. (2007). From Food Producers to 'Wellness Companies': Recent Developments in the Global Food Processing Industry. XIV Conference of the Australasian Agri-food Research Network, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 25-29 November 2007.

From Food Producers to 'Wellness Companies': Recent Developments in the Global Food Processing Industry

2007

Book Chapter

Introduction: Governing the rural

Cheshire, L., Higgins, V. and Lawrence, G. (2007). Introduction: Governing the rural. Rural Governance: International Perspectives. (pp. 1-18) edited by L. Cheshire, V. Higgins and G. Lawrence. London, United Kingdom: Routledge.

Introduction: Governing the rural

2007

Conference Publication

The Governmentality of Master Planning: Creating Community in a New Estate

Cheshire, Lynda, Rosenblatt, Ted and Lawrence, Geoffrey (2007). The Governmentality of Master Planning: Creating Community in a New Estate. State of Australian Cities Conference, University of South Australia, Adelaide, 28-30 November 2007.

The Governmentality of Master Planning: Creating Community in a New Estate

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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