Gerhard Hoffstaedter

Policy Influence and Community Support My research on refugee protection and Muslim identity politics directly shapes policy discussions and community responses to critical issues in Southeast Asia. Through regular media appearances and volunteer work with refugee organisations, I translate academic findings into actionable insights that inform advocacy efforts and improve service delivery for vulnerable populations. My fieldwork with Rohingya and other refugee communities provides evidence-based research that NGOs and policymakers use to push for improved protection frameworks.

Democratizing Knowledge and Education As co-founder of the Melbourne Free University and contributor to the Brisbane Free University, I champion accessible education beyond traditional academic boundaries. I am also interested in making tertiary education a neuro-affirming space for neurodivergent staff and students by creating more awareness of neurodiversity. My free Massive Open Online Course on anthropology of current world issues has reached thousands of global learners, while my free Introduction to Social Sciences, YouTube interview series with anthropologists and panel discussions with UQ anthropologists make specialist knowledge accessible to broader audiences. These platforms demonstrate measurable impact in breaking down barriers to higher education.

Shaping Academic Practice and Public Understanding My methodological contributions, particularly on participant observation in religious studies, influence how researchers approach sensitive fieldwork across multiple disciplines. Through sustained public engagement via radio, television, and digital platforms, I help non-academic audiences understand complex issues around migration, identity, and religious politics in contemporary Southeast Asia, fostering informed public discourse on critical regional challenges.