Our Team

Prof Philippa Collin

Professor Philippa Collin is co-founder and co-Director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University.

Prof Judith Bessant

Judith Bessant is Professor of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT University, Melbourne.

Dr Michelle Catanzaro

Michelle is the Director or Academic Program and Discipline Leader in Design, Visual Communication within the School of Humanities and Communication Arts, Western Sydney University.

Dr Stewart Jackson

Dr Stewart Jackson is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government and International Relations, with a specialisation in Australian politics, at the University of Sydney.

Prof Robert Watts

Professor Rob Watts, FASSA, is Professor of Social Policy at RMIT University. He teaches policy studies, politics, the history of ideas, and applied human rights.

A/Prof Faith Gordon

Associate Professor Faith Gordon (PhD) is an interdisciplinary socio-legal scholar and criminologist and is an Associate Professor and Deputy Associate Dean of Research at the ANU College of Law, Australian National University.

Dr Luigi Di Martino

Luigi is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on the project based at the Young and Resilient Research Centre.

Dinusha graduated with a Bachelors of Design - Visual Communication (Dean's Scholars), where she maintained a grade point average of 6.96. As a design researcher, Dinusha is particularly passionate about issues relating to sustainability and social advocacy. In 2021 Dinusha won the 'highly commended' Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Award for Excellence in University Engagement and Sustainability. In the summer of 2022, she was awarded a summer research scholarship looking into visual activism at climate protests, where she was subsequently hired as a research assistant for the project.
Nina is a research assistant and proof-editor with Western Sydney University and RMIT University. She has been conducting fieldwork observing SS4C and Extinction Rebellion climate action days as part of her work for this project.

She has a Bachelor’s and Honours degree in Creative Writing from RMIT University, having explored topics such as climate anxiety and the Anthropocene.
Grace Vegesana is the National Director of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition. She has been building youth power to end fossil fuel expansion since she was 17. Her legacy includes co-founding the People of Colour Climate Network, pioneering climate justice organising on Dharug Country in Western Sydney with AYCC, and mobilising 3000 Australian businesses to join the Climate Strikes. She collaborates with and advises the New Possibilities project.
Braedyn is a descendant of the Kamillaroi and Kunja mobs of Northern NSW and South West Queensland.

Since 2016, he has been studying Law and Arts at the Australian National University, Canberra. For this project, he is analysing media responses to student climate actions.
Varsha Yajman, a passionate speaker, podcaster, and dedicated advocate, is at the forefront of climate justice and mental health awareness. As a coordinator at SAPNA South Asian Climate Solidarity Network and a paralegal at Equity Generation Lawyers specialising in climate change litigation, she actively drives meaningful change. She has also been collaborating with and advising the New Possibilities project.

Research Associates

Past Student Collaborators

Dipti Sharma

Jean Lewis

Jen Alford

Skye Tasker

Anhaar Kareem

Emily Webb

Moxit Saurabhkumar Doshi

Ashish Mohanraj Doyizode

Anirudh Sastry

Shea Rigney

Angela Samala

Brian Luu

Prof. Patricio Cabello

Prof. Patricio Cabello is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Advanced Research in Education at Universidad de Chile.

Prof. Bronwyn Hayward

Prof Bronwyn Hayward (MNZM, FRSNZ) is a Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations and Director of Hei Puāwaitanga

Prof. Sarah Pickard

Sarah Pickard is a Professor at the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris, France.

Dr Paul Reilly

I was appointed Senior Lecturer in Communications, Media and Democracy in the School of Social & Political Sciences at the University of Glasgow in June 2022.

Professor James Sloam

James Sloam is Professor of Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Professor Ariadne Vromen

I joined ANU in mid-2020 as the new Sir John Bunting Chair of Public Administration in the Crawford School, a position that is co-funded by ANU and the Australia and New Zealand (ANZSOG) School of Government.

Associate Professor Mattias Wahlstrom

MATTIAS WAHLSTRÖM is Associate Professor of sociology & Assistant Head of Department with responsibility for research and postgraduate studies at the Department of Sociology & Work Science, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.