School of Social and Political Sciences
Faculty of Arts
It is a pleasure to welcome you to our School which is at the forefront of teaching and research in the social sciences in Australia.
We have a team of dedicated academic and professional staff in the disciplines of Political Science, Criminology, Anthropology and Sociology as well as our allied research centres providing a dynamic and rewarding environment to further your studies.
The School offers a wide range of courses and programs in areas including criminology, development studies, international studies, political science, public and social policy, socio-legal studies, anthropology and sociology. Our courses are concerned with how we make sense of the world in which we live, the current challenges we face and how both Australian and international political, legal and social institutions ought to respond to complex problems which face us in an era of globalisation and rapid social change.
Our students move on to careers in a wide range of areas including local, state and federal government, non-governmental organisations, the media, education, justice, and further academic research. Whatever pathway students want to follow, we hope to provide a conducive environment where you will expand your knowledge and acquire many skills that will enable you to take advantage of your future opportunities.
We hope that you find your studies with the School enjoyable and intellectually rewarding.
Professor Karen Farquharson
Head of School of Social and Political Sciences
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Anthropology and Development Studies
Our programs investigate the diverse ways that people today interact, organise and find meaning in their lives. We analyse the processes of social, economic, political and cultural change that underlie poverty, inequality and insecurity in the contemporary world.
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Criminology
Examine crime and the various social responses to it. Improve your understanding of crime and deviance, and map the social and criminal justice policy implications.
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Gender Studies
Our program explores the significance of gender and sexuality on a range of discourses embedded within culture, identity and global history.
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Political Science
Study the main issues, ideas, institutions and actors that dominate local, national and international politics. Expand your knowledge on democratic theory and human rights, public policy, Indigenous and environmental politics, globalisation and international relations.
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Sociology, Social Policy and Social Theory
Our program investigates the complexity and breadth of living in today’s societies, challenging expectations and assumptions about what it means to live with others.
Head of School
| Person | Position | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professor Karen Farquharson | Head of School | +61390356220 | karen.farquharson@unimelb.edu.au |
Anthropology and Development Studies
Anthropology and Development Studies honorary staff
| Person | Position | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor Hans Baer | Principal Fellow | +61383449895 | hbaer@unimelb.edu.au |
| Dr Denis Dragovic | Fellow | denis.dragovic@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Mr Steve Fisher | Fellow | sfisher@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Dr Salim Kassim-Lakha | Senior Fellow | salim@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Associate Professor Martha Macintyre | Principal Fellow | +61383449474 | marthaam@unimelb.edu.au |
| Dr Ian Patrick | Senior Fellow | ipatrick@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Dr Daniel Perkins | Fellow | d.perkins@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Dr Philippa Smales | Fellow | philippa.smales@unimelb.edu.au |
Criminology
Criminology honorary staff
| Person | Position | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Betts | Fellow | paul.betts@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Dr Mark Brown | Senior Fellow | +61383449461 | mark.brown@unimelb.edu.au |
| Dr Roberto Catello | Fellow | roberto.catello@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Associate Professor Julie Evans | Principal Fellow | +61383445933 | j.evans@unimelb.edu.au |
| Associate Professor Steve James | Principal Fellow | spj@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Dr James Petty | Fellow | j.petty@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Miss Evelyn Rose | Fellow | evelyn.rose@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Ms Simone Shaw | Fellow | shaw.s@unimelb.edu.au |
Gender Studies
| Person | Position | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Ana Dragojlovic | Gender Studies Coordinator; Senior Lecturer in Gender Studies | ana.dragojlovic@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Dr Kalissa Alexeyeff | Senior Lecturer In Gender Studies | +61390359970 | k.alexeyeff@unimelb.edu.au |
| Dr Joshua Pocius | Lecturer In Gender Studies | +61383441588 | joshua.pocius@unimelb.edu.au |
Gender Studies affiliated staff
Political Science
Political Science honorary staff
Sociology, Social Policy and Social Theory
Sociology, Social Policy and Social Theory honorary staff
| Person | Position | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professor Simon Biggs | Professorial Fellow | +61383445970 | biggss@unimelb.edu.au |
| Dr Dina Bowman | Principal Fellow | +61394831373 | dinab@unimelb.edu.au |
| Dr Petra Bueskens | Fellow | petra.bueskens@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Dr Peter Gibilisco | Fellow | peter.gibilisco@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Dr Ben Gook | Fellow | benjamin.gook@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Dr Nick Hagiliassis | Fellow | nick.hagiliassis@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Dr Stella Koritsas | Fellow | stella.koritsas@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Mr Gary Marks | Principal Fellow | g.marks@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Dr Peter Smith | Fellow | peter.smith1@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Mr Warwick Smith | Fellow | smith.w@unimelb.edu.au | |
| Professor Paul Smyth | Professorial Fellow | +61383449721 | p.smyth@unimelb.edu.au |
| Dr Ani Wierenga | Senior Fellow | +61393455522 | wierenga@unimelb.edu.au |
Professional
| Person | Position | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natalie Reitmier | School Manager | +61383449953 | nataliem@unimelb.edu.au |
| Cathy Alizzi | Administrative Assistant | +61390358758 | calizzi@unimelb.edu.au |
| Julie Anderson | Scope-University of Melbourne Partnership Coordinator | +61383444087 | julie.anderson@unimelb.edu.au |
| Jo Helsby | Team Leader, Academic Programs | +61383448431 | jhelsby@unimelb.edu.au |
| Lauren Sanders | Executive Assistant and Events Officer | +61383440472 | lsanders@unimelb.edu.au |
| Lei Yu | APSA Executive Assistant | ||
| Jason Zheng | Teaching and Learning Officer | +61383440450 | jason.zheng@unimelb.edu.au |
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Indigenous Settler Relations Collaboration (ISRC)
The multidisciplinary team of the ISRC research unit explores the challenges that lie at the heart of relations between Indigenous and settler Australians.
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Comparative Network on Refugee Externalisation Policies (CONREP)
CONREP is an international, interdisciplinary six university network which researches the impact and effects of the externalisation of refugee policies in two regions.
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The Policy Lab
The Policy Lab, a Faculty of Arts research unit, explores public policy decision making, policy design, and how we know what's working. The Policy Lab works in partnership with government and other organisations on public policy design experiments and policy-relevant research.
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Getting Welfare to Work: Research on Employment Services
Getting Welfare to Work is a long-standing research program on welfare and employment services reform at a national and international level.
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Medicinal Psychedelics Research Network (MPRN)
MPRN brings together multidisciplinary researchers, policymakers and regulators to focus on the emerging field of medicinal psychedelics.
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Recent books
Explore recent major publications by our academic staff.
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Further research projects
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Undergraduate
Information for current undergraduate students including essay writing guides and citation styles, cover sheets, minor thesis due dates, policy, and the On Country field trip subject.
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Honours
Information for current Honours students including essays and assignments, extensions, the minor thesis, and policy documents can be found here.
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Graduate coursework
Information for current graduate coursework students including essay writing guides and citation styles, cover sheets, minor thesis due dates, and policy.
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Graduate research
Information for prospective students and those currently enrolled in a PhD program.
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Work Integrated Learning (Internships)
Information for students interested in applying for the Parliamentary Internship program, Public Affairs Internship program and Master of Development Studies Internship program.
The health, safety and wellbeing of our community is our number one priority. Our events program is now online. Find out more about the University’s COVID-19 response.