My Work

During my high school years I dreamed of my future as one of high fashion and bright lights. I studied clothing design and manufacture and on graduation worked, for a time, at a high end interior furnishing company. My dreams faded as the reality of the inherent inequalities of the industry dawned on me: wealthy consumers were supplied by poorly paid workers and there was little, if any, opportunity for such workers to enjoy the fruits of their labours.

Disillusioned and cynical I turned my attention to retraining. I had little idea of what I should do, or where I was headed, but chose to pursue an arts degree purely because I had a vague interest in history. I also took philosophy because I thought that is what the cool kids did.

On first glance it might seem I could not have moved further away from my early dreams, yet I have maintained a strong interest in the consumer market and the drivers of demand. I am, of course, an outside observer and not an inside participant. I like to ask questions and keep pushing for answers. I am now interested in a more authentic, deeper abundance than the one that first attracted me. And that suits me just fine.

Since graduating BA (Hons) from Monash University in 1998 my work has largely been centred around research, writing and teaching.

 
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Current

• Freelance Writer (2004 - )
• Academic Research Assistant, History, School of Philosophical Historical and International Studies (SOPHIS), Faculty of Arts, Monash University. (Supervisor: Professor David Garrioch). (October 2013 - )

2012

• Tutor – Sustainability, Policy and Management part of the Master of Environment program, Office of Environmental Programs, University of Melbourne, (February 2012 – July 2012)

2007-2009

• Williamson Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The Australian Centre, University of Melbourne: ‘”Down-to-Earth”: The search for authentic alternatives to mass consumption’

 2006

• Researcher: Marketing Obligations and Consumer Rights – Department of Marketing, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University

2004-2005

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Scientific Management of Consumer Interests (Department of Management, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University) (June 2004 – February 2005)

2003-2004

• Researcher: Diffusion of Democratic Principles (Faculty of Law, Monash University) (June 2003 – September 2004), part of the Sustainable Governance in the 21st Century Program funded by the Monash Institute for the Study of Global Movements
• Research Assistant: Professor Graeme Davison, Monash University. (June – December 2003)

2002-2001

• Research Assistant: the Argus Newspaper Index Project, La Trobe University (2002)

• Assistant Lecturer: International Studies, Department of History, Monash University  (2001-2002)

• Assistant Lecturer and Subject Co-ordinator: Twentieth Century Australian History, Department of History, Monash University (2001)

1999 – 2001

• Extensive research assistance for senior academic staff in the School of Historical Studies, Monash University (1999-2000)

• Tutor / Demonstrator: Departments of Physiology, Geography and History.