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)

181 - 200 of 533 works

2006

Conference Publication

Sustainable regional development: Building upon the Australian Landcare experience

Lawrence, Geoffrey A. (2006). Sustainable regional development: Building upon the Australian Landcare experience. International Landcare Conference, Melbourne Exhibition & Conference Centre, 8 -11 October, 2006.

Sustainable regional development: Building upon the Australian Landcare experience

2006

Conference Publication

Watchdogs and ombudsmen: the pressures for re-regulation of agri-food supply chains in Australia and the UK

Lawrence, G. and Burch, D. (2006). Watchdogs and ombudsmen: the pressures for re-regulation of agri-food supply chains in Australia and the UK. XVI World Congress of Sociology, Durban, South Africa, 23-29 July 2006.

Watchdogs and ombudsmen: the pressures for re-regulation of agri-food supply chains in Australia and the UK

2006

Book Chapter

What do we mean by green? Consumers, agriculture and the food industry

Burch, D., Lyons, K. and Lawrence, G. (2006). What do we mean by green? Consumers, agriculture and the food industry. Rikka rokassa vai sattumia sopassa? Johdatus yhteiskuntatieteelliseen maatalous-ja elintarviketutkimukseen. (pp. 69-87) Helsinki, Finland: University of Joensuu, Karelian Institute.

What do we mean by green? Consumers, agriculture and the food industry

2006

Book Chapter

Mita 'Vihertyminen' Tarkoittaa? Kuluttajat, Maatalous ja Elintarviketeollisuus

Lawrence, G (2006). Mita 'Vihertyminen' Tarkoittaa? Kuluttajat, Maatalous ja Elintarviketeollisuus. Ruokakysymys: Nakokulmia Yhteiskuntatieteelliseen Elintarviketutkimukseen. (pp. 69-87) edited by T. Mononen and T. Silvasti. Helsinki, Finland: Gaudeamus.

Mita 'Vihertyminen' Tarkoittaa? Kuluttajat, Maatalous ja Elintarviketeollisuus

2006

Book Chapter

Reconfiguring rural resource governance: The legacy of neoliberalism in Australia

Lockie, Stewart, Lawrence, Geoffrey and Cheshire, Lynda (2006). Reconfiguring rural resource governance: The legacy of neoliberalism in Australia. Handbook of Rural Studies. (pp. 29-43) edited by P. Cloke, T. Marsden and P. Mooney. London: Sage. doi: 10.4135/9781848608016.n3

Reconfiguring rural resource governance: The legacy of neoliberalism in Australia

2005

Conference Publication

The governmentality of master planning: creating community in a new estate

Rosenblatt, T., Cheshire, L. and Lawrence, G. (2005). The governmentality of master planning: creating community in a new estate. Annual Conference of the Australian Sociological Association, Hobart, TAS Australia, 6-8 December 2005.

The governmentality of master planning: creating community in a new estate

2005

Journal Article

Neoliberalism, individualisation and community: Regional restructuring in Australia

Cheshire, L.ynda and Lawrence, Geoffrey (2005). Neoliberalism, individualisation and community: Regional restructuring in Australia. Social Identities, 11 (5), 85-96. doi: 10.1080/13504630500407869

Neoliberalism, individualisation and community: Regional restructuring in Australia

2005

Journal Article

Factors underlying support or opposition to biotechnology among Australian food consumers and implications for retailer-led food regulation

Lockie, Stewart, Lawrence, Geoffrey, Lyons, Kristen and Grice, Janet (2005). Factors underlying support or opposition to biotechnology among Australian food consumers and implications for retailer-led food regulation. Food Policy, 30 (4), 399-418. doi: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2005.06.001

Factors underlying support or opposition to biotechnology among Australian food consumers and implications for retailer-led food regulation

2005

Other Outputs

Engaged Government: A Study of Government-Community Engagement for Regional Outcomes, Report 2: Selection of Case Studies

Bishop, Patrick James, Cheshire, Lynda, Howes, Michael James, Lawrence, Geoff, Liebrecht, Tanya Louise, Loechel, Barton, Oliver, Peter, Rolfe, John and Yee, Shion (2005). Engaged Government: A Study of Government-Community Engagement for Regional Outcomes, Report 2: Selection of Case Studies. Central Queensland University, Rockhampton.

Engaged Government: A Study of Government-Community Engagement for Regional Outcomes, Report 2: Selection of Case Studies

2005

Conference Publication

Changing visions/static practices: culture, tradition and sustainability in the beef heartland

Richards, C. and Lawrence, G. (2005). Changing visions/static practices: culture, tradition and sustainability in the beef heartland. Annual Conference of the Australian Sociological Association, Hobart, Tasmania, 6-8 December 2005.

Changing visions/static practices: culture, tradition and sustainability in the beef heartland

2005

Book Chapter

Promoting Sustainable Development: The Question of Governance

Lawrence, Geoffrey (2005). Promoting Sustainable Development: The Question of Governance. New directions in the sociology of global development. (pp. 145-174) edited by Frederick H. Buttel and Philip McMichael. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier.

Promoting Sustainable Development: The Question of Governance

2005

Book

Agricultural governance: Globalization and the new politics of regulation

Vaughan Higgins and Geoffrey Lawrence eds. (2005). Agricultural governance: Globalization and the new politics of regulation. Routledge Advances in Sociology, London, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9780203698907

Agricultural governance: Globalization and the new politics of regulation

2005

Other Outputs

Engaged Government: A Study of Government: Community Engagement for Regional Outcomes, Report 1: Project Overview

Guthrie, D., Bishop, P., Lawrence, G., Rolfe, J. and Cheshire, L. (2005). Engaged Government: A Study of Government: Community Engagement for Regional Outcomes, Report 1: Project Overview. Central Queensland University, Rockhampton.

Engaged Government: A Study of Government: Community Engagement for Regional Outcomes, Report 1: Project Overview

2005

Book Chapter

Reshaping the State: Global/local networks in association and the governing of agricultural production.

Cheshire, L. A. and Lawrence, G. A. (2005). Reshaping the State: Global/local networks in association and the governing of agricultural production.. Agricultural Governance: Globalization and the New Politics of Regulation. (pp. 35-49) edited by V. Higgins and G. Lawrence. London: Routledge.

Reshaping the State: Global/local networks in association and the governing of agricultural production.

2005

Journal Article

Beef production and the environment: Is it really 'hard to be green when you are in the red'?

Richards, C., Lawrence, G. A. and Kelly, N. (2005). Beef production and the environment: Is it really 'hard to be green when you are in the red'?. Rural Society, 15 (2), 192-209. doi: 10.5172/rsj.351.15.2.192

Beef production and the environment: Is it really 'hard to be green when you are in the red'?

2005

Other Outputs

Submission to the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines on options for future community engagement in regional natural resource management

Richards, C., Lawrence, G., Everingham, J. and Aitken, L. (2005). Submission to the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines on options for future community engagement in regional natural resource management. Brisbane, Australia:

Submission to the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines on options for future community engagement in regional natural resource management

2005

Journal Article

Review of Tim Lang and Michael Heasman, Food Wars: the battle for mouths, minds and markets

Lawrence, Geoffrey (2005). Review of Tim Lang and Michael Heasman, Food Wars: the battle for mouths, minds and markets. International Journal of Sociology of Food and Agriculture, 13 (2). doi: 10.48416/ijsaf.v13i2.310

Review of Tim Lang and Michael Heasman, Food Wars: the battle for mouths, minds and markets

2005

Conference Publication

Social ties and new communities

Cheshire, L., Rosenblatt, T. and Lawrence, G. (2005). Social ties and new communities. International Conference on Engaging Communities, Brisbane, Australia, 14-17 August 2005.

Social ties and new communities

2005

Conference Publication

Regional arrangements for natural resource management in Queensland: preliminary findings from a case study of the Fitzroy Basin Association

Wallington, T., Loechel, B. and Lawrence, G. (2005). Regional arrangements for natural resource management in Queensland: preliminary findings from a case study of the Fitzroy Basin Association. Annual Conference of the Australian Sociological Association, Hobart, Tasmania, 6-8 December 2005.

Regional arrangements for natural resource management in Queensland: preliminary findings from a case study of the Fitzroy Basin Association

2005

Book Chapter

Globalisation, agricultural production systems and rural restructuring

Lawrence, Geoffrey (2005). Globalisation, agricultural production systems and rural restructuring. Sustainability and change in rural Australia. (pp. 104-120) edited by Chris Cocklin and Jacqui Dibden. Sydney: New South Wales University Press.

Globalisation, agricultural production systems and rural restructuring

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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