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Dr Jessica Korte is passionate about the ways good technology can improve lives. To ensure technology is “good”, she advocates involving end users in the design process; especially when those people belong to “difficult” user groups - which usually translates to “minority” user groups. Her philosophy for technology design (and life in general) is that the needs of people who are disempowered or disabled by society should be considered first; everyone else will then benefit from technology that maximises usability. Her research areas include Human-Computer Interaction, Machine Learning, and Participatory & Collaborative Design.

Jessica was drawn to research by a desire to explore some of the ways technology and design can empower and support people from marginalised groups. She has worked with Deaf children and members of the Deaf community to create a technology design approach, and successfully organised and run international workshops on Pushing the Boundaries of Participatory Design, leading to the World’s Most Inclusive Distributed Participatory Design Project.

Jessica has recently been awarded a TAS DCRC Fellowship to create an Auslan Communication Technologies Pipeline, a modular, AI-based Auslan-in, Auslan-out system capable of recognising, processing and producing Auslan signing.

Jessica is currently looking to recruit research students with an interest in exploring topics in an Auslan context, including machine learning, natural language processing, chatbots, video GAN, or procedural animation.

Associate Professor Alka Kothari is a clinician-researcher, educator, and consumer advocate, serving as Senior Staff Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Metro North Clinician Researcher Fellow, Associate Professor and Deputy Head at Redcliffe Hospital, and Deputy Head of Learning Community (Year 3) in the Northside Clinical Unit, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland. Her PhD, Forgotten Fathers: The Role of Men in the Journey Through Pregnancy and Birth, examined the often-overlooked experiences of fathers during pregnancy and birth, particularly in the context of birth trauma. Through her Metro North Health Clinician Researcher Fellowship, she developed Best Practice Principles (BPPs) to support fathers, non-birthing parents, and families affected by pregnancy and birth trauma, and is now co-developing targeted, compassion-focused interventions. Her next phase of work focuses on evaluating the implementation of these BPPs and advancing the nationwide integration of inclusive perinatal healthcare.

She is recognised as a national expert in birth trauma, with contributions to the 2023 NSW Parliament Select Committee on Birth Trauma and national policy roundtables. Her PhD work and recommendations has been included in the Birth Trauma inquiry submission, underscoring the relevance and impact of her research. Her research has also been widely cited in national and international policy documents and clinical guidelines.

She has secured $8.6 million in total grant funding, including NHMRC Ideas and MRFF grants, alongside $100,000 in philanthropic support and several additional competitive grants. Her work has been recognised through numerous awards including the Best Oral Presentation in Perinatal Mental Health at the RCOG World Congress (2019), the Women in Technology Award for Lifting Communities (2024), a commendation for UQ’s Innovators of the Year award (2024), and a community nomination for Australian of the Year (2025), as well as multiple research, leadership, and teaching awards across Metro North Health.

Associate Professor Kothari is a passionate advocate for fathers and provides expert guidance and support to several non-government fatherhood organisations nationally. She also serves as a media expert in perinatal mental healththrough authored news articles (The Conversation), media engagements (ABC Nationwide), and invited podcasts on the impact of birth trauma on birthing families including fathers and non-birthing parents.

Qualifications

MBBS, MD, FRANZCOG, GRAD CERT EBP (MONASH), DDU (O&G) PhD (UQ)

Current External HDR Supervision

1. A formative evaluation of a peer-facilitated, online, perinatal education and support program for first-time Australian fathers referred through primary health care providers. Doctor Philosophy. Associate supervisor for Richard Pascal- Curtin University, WA, Australia. Graduating Research Quarter 4, 2026.
2. Attitudes and current practices of Indonesian men and women transitioning to parenthood with regard to gender equality and co-parenting: the need and acceptability of a supportive, informative messaging mobile phone application. Doctor Philosophy. Associate supervisor for Dona Tamburan- Curtin University, WA, Australia. From 2020- 2022 due to administrative limitations of Curtin University

Dr Julius Kotir is a Senior Lecturer in Agribusiness, Rural Development and Economics in the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability. His academic and research interests focus on understanding and managing the long term sustainability of coupled socio economic and environmental systems. A key area of interest is the development of decision support tools and models that evaluate the impacts of alternative pathways and policy options under uncertain global futures. His work adopts an interdisciplinary approach that combines participatory co design, field based research methods, systems thinking, and system dynamics modelling to develop both qualitative and quantitative simulation models that support evidence based decision making.

Julius currently applies these tools and methods to address a broad range of complex agri environmental challenges, including international and rural development, food security, farming systems economics, agrifood and digital twin supply chains, climate smart agriculture, water resources management, farmer adoption of innovative practices, and agribusiness policy design and analysis.

I am a developmental neuroscientist and bioinformatician interested in the molecular evolution of the mammalian brain. I completed a PhD on the molecular development of vasculature in the primate retina at the Australian National University, followed by a postdoctoral position at the Institut de la Vision in France that was supported by a NHMRC CJ Martin fellowship, where I investigated the role of guidance factors in the formation of commissural neurons within the mammalian hindbrain. My current research focuses on the development and evolution of the mammalian forebrain, in particular understanding the regulatory mechanisms and molecular evolutionary processes that control specification of cortical neuron subtypes.

Matthew is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow currently working in the field of energy system modelling in the Centre for Multiscale Energy Systems within the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering. Current projects include modelling Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) systems, and hydrogen gas transport and storage. I hold a BE/BSc, along a PhD, both from UQ. My thesis was completed under the supervision of Dr. Klimenko and Prof. Bhatia, and focused on boundary interactions in nanoscale gas transport. I have further research interests in systems modelling, nanoscale fluid mechanics, kinetic theory and biofluidics.

Professor Elizabeth Krenske leads a computational chemistry laboratory that specialises in understanding molecular behaviour. Her laboratory has a particular focus on the study of chemical reaction mechanisms, including the computational prediction of reaction outcomes. Prof. Krenske obtained her PhD in synthetic main-group chemistry at The Australian National University's Research School of Chemistry, where she worked with Professor Bruce Wild. After two years of postdoctoral research at the ANU she was awarded a Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholarship and spent two years at the University of California, Los Angeles, working in the field of theoretical and computational chemistry with Professor Kendall Houk. She returned to Australia in 2009 as an ARC Australian Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Melbourne, and moved to The University of Queensland in 2012 as an ARC Future Fellow. She is currently a Professor in the UQ School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences.

Prof. Krenske is a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and former Associate Editor of the RSC journal Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry.

Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Agricultural Studies | Deputy Director (Curriculum), School Teaching & Learning Committee | ACDA Steering Committee Member & 2026 ACDA T&L Awards Chair | Affiliate Academic, ITaLI | Senior Fellow (SFHEA)

I am an educator and researcher dedicated to transforming teaching and learning in higher education, with a focus on interdisciplinary agricultural studies, student engagement, and curriculum innovation. With a background spanning chemistry, biology and animal science, I integrate scientific perspectives to create authentic, applied learning experiences for students.

As Deputy Chair of the School Teaching & Learning Committee, I lead strategic initiatives that strengthen curriculum design, assessment practices, inclusive teaching, academic integrity, and student transition. I actively support colleagues in adopting evidence‑based pedagogies, co‑teaching models, and innovative approaches that enhance learning and teaching across the school.

Nationally, I contribute to sector-wide educational leadership through the Australasian Council of Deans of Agriculture (ACDA), serving on the Steering Committee and as the Incoming Chair of the ACDA Teaching & Learning Awards for 2026. In these roles, I help shape national conversations on agricultural education, celebrate excellence, and support the development of high-quality teaching across the discipline.

My research explores virtual field trips in agriculture, student–industry engagement, digital inclusion, and the role of technology‑enhanced learning in supporting diverse cohorts, including rural and remote learners. I have led and contributed to multiple teaching and learning grants that embed sustainability, digital tools, and real‑world applications into agricultural curricula.

As an Affiliate Academic with ITaLI, I contribute to educator development through workshops, SECaTS-informed consultations, peer coaching, and co‑teaching initiatives. I mentor early‑career educators in active learning, curriculum alignment, and evidence‑based teaching practices that promote student success.

My Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) focuses on co‑teaching effectiveness, assessment redesign, and improving student learning outcomes, informing both my practice and broader institutional enhancement efforts.

A Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), I have received commendations for teaching excellence and pedagogical leadership.

Research Interests

• Co‑teaching and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Curriculum innovation and assessment redesign
• Digital inclusion and technology‑enhanced learning
• Virtual field trips and industry engagement in agricultural education
• Student transition and first‑year STEM experience
• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)

I collaborate with university and industry partners to reimagine agricultural education, mentor the next generation of educators, and cultivate skilled professionals equipped to shape the future of the agricultural sector.

I am an applied ecologist whose research is centred on developing and applying ecological models to study invasion biology and pest management under current and future climates. My broad interests span a range of applied ecological questions in fields as diverse as biosecurity, climate adaptation, food security and food safety. I believe strongly in the value of developing and applying generic solutions to solving ecological modelling problems. This is reflected in my efforts to develop CLIMEX and DYMEX Version 4, and the collaborative CliMond climate data repository for bioclimatic modellers. My present efforts are focused on developing real-time pest forecasting systems to enable the agricultural sector to better manage pests, weeds, and diseases.

Dr Kriz completed a Bachelor of Economics (Honours 1st Class) at the University of Sydney and completed her Ph.D. at the University of Sydney's Business School. She has been a visiting researcher at the Turku School of Economics (University of Turku) and the Adam Smith Business School (University of Glasgow) and was a Consultant at Mercer Consulting and Research Manager at Incept Labs. During her career in industry Dr Kriz was involved in major research projects (e.g. co-developing a ground-breaking diversity and inclusion blueprint for the investment banking industry in Australia; project managing a research project commissioned by the AICD involving over 100 Chairs). Dr Kriz's Honours thesis explored ambidexterity or the ability to undertake both radical and incremental innovation, and she was awarded the University's Canon Honours Scholarship. Her Ph.D. explored innovation among high-tech firms and during her doctorate, she also worked on a related innovation project for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), which involved over 50 interviews with key stakeholders.

Anne is a leader in pre-emptive, evidence-based digital research and practice empowering external media organisations and communications stakeholders to address misinformation. At UQ she is currently building a Community of Practice with industry and students called 'AI and the next generation of journalism'. Anne was APAC director for global online verification experts First Draft News for four years and Associate Professor (academic) and interim co-director of the Centre for Media Transition at UTS. Anne is a subcommittee board member for Australia's first misinformation and disinformation regulatory code of practice, enacted by the communications and media regulator ACMA and administered by peak industry DIGI. Anne was co-chief investigator on behalf of DIGI during the code's development while at UTS/First Draft. Anne also serves on the national ethics board for the MEAA as an independent member. Anne is a grant recipient of UNESCO's International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) and has authored numerous guidebooks and articles on verification, responsible reporting and information disorder in Australia and Southeast Asia. She has developed communications strategies and training preparing disaster managers and responders to climate and other emergency events. She has developed training for online celebritities and influences on how to not be a misinfluencer and instead protect and lead against misinformation. Anne was an Assistant Professor of Practice and Head of Broadcast at the University of Hong Kong where she established a digital verification lab in 2014 collaborating with technologists Meedan, and led media literacy projects with UNESCO throughout APAC. Anne was an anchor at CNN Hong Kong during SARS, and later a finance reporter at Bloomberg TV. She began her career in Toowoomba for WIN TV, was later ABC Landline presenter for four years, 7pm weekend news presenter for Queensland, fill in ABC News Breakfast host and held digital producer and Chief of Staff roles. Anne has a PhD in social media verification education.

My current research is all about finding ways to improve teaching and student learning, with a focus on biology and other sciences. This is a new and exciting direction for me to which I and my group are now dedicated. Of particular interest to me is finding ways to improve communication abilities of science students through the design, testing and implementation of effective curricula, class activities and assessment methods. Naturally, no learning occurs in isolation, so my current research also looks at learning scientific reasoning, information literacy, and how to improve the relevance and authenticity of practical/lab classes and assessment tasks.

Previously my research focussed on using physiological approaches and techniques to address questions in ecology, conservation and aquaculture, especially in vertebrates living in extreme environments (see references for examples). I continue to be involved in biological research through teaching, co-supervision and examination of postgraduate students.

My current projects aim to find effective ways to...

• Improve abilities of first year biology students to work effectively in groups.
• Improve science students’ communication abilities through the development and implementation of a new 3rd year course titled Communicating in Science.
• Improve scientific reasoning and writing in first year biology students.
• Improve tutor support and consequently student learning through implementation of a program of tailored tutor professional development.
• Improve information literacy in first year biology students.
• Motivate students to improve their biological knowledge and use of modern communication technologies by implementing authentic assignments throughout the curriculum e.g., websites, video, blogs.
• Improve the ability of students to articulate the skills and knowledge they develop in undergraduate ecology research through the use of a skills portfolio.
• Improve student practice and confidence in avoiding plagiarism and adhering to academic integrity.