Reader in Brazilian Studies, University of Leeds Stephanie Dennison, originally from Northern Ireland, via Rio de Janeiro, has been living in Yorkshire and working at the University of Leeds for the last 20 years. She is a Reader (Associate Professor) in Brazilian Studies and a founding member of the Centre for World Cinemas. She is co-author with Lisa Shaw of two books on Brazilian cinema and edited books on Latin American film and popular culture, she co-edited with Song Hwee Lim Remapping World Cinema and she is currently developing an international research network examining cinema as soft-power asset in BRICS nations.
Professor of Political Theory and Head of the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Sydney Simon Tormey is Head of the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Sydney. A political theorist, Simon is the author of numerous books and articles including Anti-Capitalism – recently revised with Oneworld. His latest book, The End of Representative Politics, has just been published by Polity. Prior to his appointment at Sydney in 2009 he was Professor and Head of the School of Politics and International Relations and founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Social and Global Justice (CSSGJ) at the University of Nottingham UK. He was educated at the University of Wales, Swansea receiving his doctorate in 1991. He was a Research Scholar and Lecturer at the University of Leicester before joining Nottingham in 1990. In 2005 he was awarded a personal chair ('professorship') in Politics and Critical Theory. Simon appears regularly in the media commenting in particular on European politics for Sky Business, Sky News, ABC News, Bloomberg and the BBC.
Research Fellow, University of Salford Dr Steve Preece has worked as a researcher in human movement biomechanics for over 10 years. During this period he has carried out a range of studies relating to different aspects of footwear design and also worked on projects focused on knee osteoarthritis and the use of using body mounted sensors to monitor activity patterns. Recently he has performed a study looking at the biomechanical characteristics of elite runners. This has enabled him to establish a successful running performance clinic at the University of Salford which now attracts runners from all over the UK.
Research Assistant and PhD Candidate, Griffith University Shane is a graduate of Macquarie and Griffith University who is interested in terrorism, international security and humanitarian related issues. Shane has a Bachelor of Arts in Security, Terrorism, and Counter Terrorism studies. A Masters of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism and a Graduate Diploma in Criminological Research Studies. Shane is currently pursuing a PhD at Griffith University looking at global counter-radicalisation and deradicalisation policies.
Research Scientist of Forest Ecology, University of Washington I am a forest ecologist with a specialty in fire ecology. My main interests are in the effects of fire and other disturbances on forest dynamics, climatic change on forest ecosystems, and fuel treatment options to mitigate wildfire effects. I work with the Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory (U.S. Forest Service) in Seattle, Washington and live full-time in the Methow Valley near Winthrop, Washington.
Winthrop Professor of Law, University of Western Australia Professor Stephen Smith was Federal Member for Perth for the Australian Labor Party from March 1993 until September 2013. In a distinguished career spanning 20 years in the Australian Federal Parliament, Professor Smith served as the Minster for Defence, and prior to that, as Minister for Foreign Affairs. In opposition, Professor Smith held a range of Shadow Ministerial positions including Shadow Minister for Trade, Shadow Minister for Resources and Energy, Shadow Minister for Communications, Shadow Minister for Health, Shadow Minister for Immigration, Shadow Minister for Industry, Infrastructure and Industrial Relations and Shadow Minister for Education and Training. Professor Smith is from Narrogin, in rural Western Australia and spent his early years in Narrogin and Southern Cross. He received his secondary school education at Christian Brothers High School Highgate in Perth. Professor Smith completed his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Western Australia and has practised as a Barrister and Solicitor in Perth. He then completed a Master of Laws in Public International Law at London University, and subsequently lectured and tutored in Law in London. From 1983 to 1987 Professor Smith was Principal Private Secretary to the Attorney-General of Western Australia. From 1987 to 1990 he was the State Secretary of the Western Australian Branch of the Australian Labor Party. During 1991 and 1992, Professor Smith was Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Australia and Senior Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer of Australia, Paul Keating. He is Chair of the Asia Desk of Perth Law firm Lavan Legal and a member of the Government and Public Sector Advisory Board for Ernst and Young Australia. He is a board member of the Perth USAsia Centre. Professor Smith is also on the board of Hockey Australia and maintains an active interest in cricket, hockey and Australian rules football. He is a proud member and keen supporter of the Fremantle Dockers football club.
