Murdoch University School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

03/09/2026

The Automation, Work and Public Policy Symposium takes place this Friday, 4 September, bringing together researchers from Murdoch University, the The University of Western Australia VinUniversity to examine some of the most pressing questions around AI, automation, labour and public policy.

Dr Lutfun Nahar Lata, Senior Lecturer in Asian Cultures and Societies has been instrumental in bringing the event to fruition.

The program includes a panel on AI, the future of work and public policy, with Dr Lata, Associate Professor Michael Gillan, Dr Nardine Alnemr, moderated by Professor Kanishka Jayasuriya.

The symposium will also feature papers on labour precarity and industrial upgrading in Vietnam, workplace regulation in the context of automation, and the relationship between AI, work, power and care. The day will conclude with a planning session focused on Labour, Technology and Public Policy Lab activities.

Dr Lata will open the symposium with the Acknowledgement of Country, participate in the AI and future of work panel, chair the paper session, and co-moderate the closing planning session with Associate Professor Narelle MIRAGLIOTTA.

Friday 4 September 2026
9.30am–3pm
The Loft, Murdoch University

If you have not yet registered but would like to attend, please feel free to come along on the day.

Dr Lata and colleagues have also recently completed the Breaking the Glass Ceiling project, funded by the Anti-Racism Hallmark Research Initiative. The project report explores the experiences of racism faced by people of colour academics at the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney and Charles Darwin University, and summarises the project’s key findings.

01/09/2026

A huge thank you to David Scholefield, College Engagement Partner, for bringing together a dynamic day of international engagement at Murdoch University yesterday! ❤️

The HASS senior leaders were delighted to warmly welcome the inaugural delegation of the Egypt–Australia Resource Industry Collaboration and Capacity Development Program, bringing together Murdoch University School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and the School of Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry and Physics in partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and the Mineral Resources & Mining Industries Authority.

The day continued with a sold-out evening featuring one of Indonesia’s leading stand-up comedians, Pandji Pragiwaksono, followed by an outstanding conversation with Murdoch University’s Dr Ian Wilson.

A wonderful day of connection, collaboration and exchange, welcoming friends old and new to the Murdoch community.

With thanks to all involved, including DFAT Western Australia State Office, the Indo-Pacific Research Centre at Murdoch University, ACICIS, Indonesia Institute, and the Association of Indonesian Postgraduate Students and Scholars in Australia.

28/08/2026

Free Screening + Q&A: The Comfort Dogs of Uganda
Wednesday 16th September | 5:30-7:30pm
Kim E. Beazley Lecture Theatre, 351.1.001
Arrive from 5:30 for light catering. The film will begin at 6pm.
This event is 16+

In collaboration with the Global Security & Politics Collective and the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Murdoch University invites students, staff, and members of the public to a free screening of The Comfort Dogs of Uganda and a following panel discussion.

The Comfort Dogs of Uganda follows the lives of Lucy, Francis, and Jennifer as they struggle with social stigma and severe PTSD. Alongside them are Sadik, Tommy and Ogen: rescued village dogs from The Comfort Dog Project (CDP) who themselves are overcoming abandonment and mistreatment. This film follows the unlikely and transformative bond that blooms as these fellow survivors learn to trust, to love, and to reclaim their lives once more.

Following the screening, hear reflections and ask questions during a live Q&A with three incredible panel members:
• Richard Wainwright, an NGO photographer and filmmaker and director of 'The Comfort Dogs of Uganda'.
• Francis Okello Oloya, psychologist, war trauma survivor, and manager of the Comfort Dog Project and Education Program of The BIG FIX Uganda.
• Professor Simon Adams, Academic Chair for Human Rights at Murdoch University and former President and CEO at the Centre for Victims of Torture.

This event is free but registration is required. Registration link in bio.
https://events.humanitix.com/comfortdogs

27/08/2026

Associate Professor Narelle Miragliotta’s latest insightful piece has been published in The Conversation Australia + NZ and republished by The Guardian

“One Nation is targeting a WA seat in Labor heartland. It could be a defining moment for Australian politics.”

With Western Australians heading to the polls for the Secret Harbour byelection on 29 August, Associate Professor Miragliotta examines why a contest in a traditionally safe Labor seat has assumed significance well beyond the electorate itself.

As she states, “it is remarkable that One Nation is even in contention”, with the result potentially carrying wider implications for Australia’s changing political landscape.

Drawing together the electoral history and demographics of Secret Harbour, the crowded field of candidates, shifting support for the major parties and the national rise of One Nation, the piece considers what the result might tell us about the “direction of travel of Australia’s party systems”.

Congratulations Associate Professor Miragliotta on this timely contribution to the national political conversation.

Read the full article in Guardian Australia:

The Secret Harbour byelection has the potential for an electoral upset, given the many characteristics conducive to a One Nation win

24/08/2026

This week in the Murdoch Philosophy Research Seminar Series, PhD candidate Edmund Hassell asks a deceptively simple question: What is propaganda?

The Problematic Term Propaganda
Edmund Hassell, PhD candidate
Wednesday 26 August | 4pm
Education and Humanities Building, 450.4.078
Murdoch University

Despite more than a century of scholarship, propaganda remains surprisingly difficult to define. Is it distinguished by its capacity to alter beliefs, motivate action, or maintain social control? What separates propaganda from advertising, public relations, education and other forms of persuasive communication? And must propaganda necessarily involve deception or manipulation?

Drawing on debates across philosophy, history and communications, Edmund’s research critically examines existing approaches to propaganda with the aim of developing a more satisfactory definition.

The Philosophy Research Seminar Series continues in September and October with:

9 September — Shayne Martyn
Other-Defence in Uncertain Cases

16 September — Henk van den Belt
Hegel’s Dialectics: Is There Method in the Madness?

23 September — Adam Henschke
An Existential Risk to Democracy? AI, Post-Reality Technologies, and Epistemic Secession

7 October — Ari Jerrems
The Afterlives of the Frontier: Theorising the Border from Port Hedland

14 October — Chloe Anastasia
Marranism and Modernity, Supersession and Secularism

21 October — Adam Holliday
The Problem of One and Many

Seminars are held on teaching-week Wednesdays at 4pm in 450.4.078 and feature engaging presentations, Q&A discussion, and further conversation at the campus tavern.

All welcome!

24/08/2026

How are automation, artificial intelligence and digital technologies reshaping the future of work, and what public policy responses are needed to build more inclusive and sustainable labour markets?

Murdoch University’s Labour, Technology and Public Policy Lab invites researchers, policymakers, industry representatives and practitioners to join its Automation, Work and Public Policy Symposium on Friday, 4 September, from 9.30am–3pm.

The symposium will also mark the official launch of the Labour, Technology and Public Policy Lab, a new research initiative within Murdoch University HASS.

Our thanks to Dr Lutfun Nahar Lata and Professor Kanishka Jayauriya for bringing together this important symposium and the launch of the Lab.

Friday, 4 September 2026
9.30am–3pm
Murdoch University

Registration is required for catering purposes by 26 August.

Find out more about the Lab:

https://www.murdoch.edu.au/schools/humanities-arts-and-social-sciences/research/labour-technology-and-public-policy-lab

Register for the symposium:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/automation-work-and-public-policy-symposium-tickets-1998458627552

17/08/2026

Please join us this Wednesday for the next Murdoch Philosophy Research Seminar, featuring Dr Lutfun Nahar Lata (Murdoch University).

The discussion will address the topic of careless state, careless platform in relation to COVID-19 and gig workers’ livelihoods.

Existing research on the gig economy and its regulation has expanded beyond the Global North and now includes a growing body of work on countries in the Global South. However, there remains a gap in understanding how the gig economy is regulated in the Global South and the working conditions experienced by gig workers.

Drawing on interviews with 37 gig workers and two key informants, and building on platform and labour studies and ethics of care literature, Lata introduces the concepts of the “careless platform” and “careless state” to examine how platform practices and hands-off approaches to governance affected the livelihoods of gig workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh, during the COVID-19 pandemic and post-COVID-19 era.

Details:
Wednesday, 19 August
4pm
Education and Humanities Building, 450.4.078
Murdoch University

The Murdoch Philosophy Research Seminars bring together staff, students and guest speakers for engaging presentations and Q&A discussions throughout the teaching semester.

Informal discussions to follow at the Murdoch Guild Campus Tavern! With thanks to Dr Time Flanagan and Associate Professor Anne Schwenkenbecher.

All are welcome.

07/08/2026

Congratulations Dr Yohei Okamoto and Dr Diane Lee (Tourism and Events) who just returned from a highly successful four-week study tour in Japan.

Twenty Murdoch University students spent four unforgettable weeks during the semester break in Hokkaido, Japan, as part of a study program funded through DFAT’s New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant and delivered by the Tourism and Events Program at Murdoch University in partnership with the Department of Global Innovation at 北星学園大学 / Hokusei Gakuen University.

Over the month‑long intensive program, students immersed themselves in regenerative tourism, Japanese language learning, and cross‑cultural collaboration — gaining real‑world skills that go far beyond the classroom. One of the biggest highlights was the fieldwork placement in Teshio Town. Students carried out destination research, met with local community and industry leaders, and joined the town’s largest annual festival, the Teshiogawa Shijimi Matsuri. They also worked in teams to develop strategic destination plans and presented their ideas directly to local stakeholders — a rare opportunity to contribute to real tourism development in regional Japan.

By the end of the four weeks, students returned home with new knowledge, fresh perspectives, lifelong friendships, and meaningful international connections.

Well done to all involved, including the brilliant work by College Engagement Partner David Scholefield in relation to the Colombo Plan.

06/08/2026

The 2026 Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards offered a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of colleagues across Murdoch University and we are especially proud to see such strong representation from HASS academics and professional staff! ❤️

Congratulations to our HASS award winners:

Dr Melissa Merchant (SFHEA) received an award for Living Our Guiding Principles and Values, recognising her outstanding leadership, mentorship and commitment to creating positive outcomes for students, colleagues and the performing arts community. Through her inclusive and collaborative approach, Melissa has created environments in which students and staff can thrive, while championing academic excellence, lifelong learning and continuous improvement. Her contributions have strengthened teaching practice, enhanced the employee experience and expanded opportunities for intercultural learning and community engagement. A passionate advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion, Melissa has worked to improve accessibility and support students from diverse backgrounds. Her influence extends well beyond her discipline, enriching both the University community and the wider creative arts sector.

Dr Alys Daroy received an Early Career Research Award. Since joining Murdoch in 2023, Alys has developed an internationally recognised research profile examining how literature and performance can respond to the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. In just three years, she has published two Tier 1 books and eight journal articles, including five in top-ranked journals, and presented more than 20 conference papers. Her research has reached academic, creative and public audiences through major international venues including the Venice Biennale, Shakespeare’s Globe and the Conservatorio di Verona. Her achievements have also been recognised through the S. Ernest Sprott Fellowship and a growing range of national and international research collaborations, reflecting the quality, originality and influence of her work.

We also warmly congratulate our exceptional HASS nominees:

Dr Nardine Alnemr, Early Career Research

Associate Professor Anne Schwenkenbecher, Mid-Career Research

Dr Dave Palmer, Community, Industry Impact and Engagement

Suzanne Kelly, Program Manger, Excellence for Professional Staff

College of Law, Arts and Social Sciences Team: Kelly Cheetham, Linda Giacchetta, Raegan Howard, Natalie Davis, Natalie Galic, Kayleigh Middleton and Michelle Grubinic

Thanks to our HASS Associate Deans of Research, Associate Professor Arjun Subrahmanyan, Associate Professor Anne Schwenkenbecher and Dr Ian Wilson and to Dean of HASS Professor Dee O'Connor, for their tireless leadership and support of our academic and professional community in the awards process and beyond.

05/08/2026

One of Indonesia’s leading public intellectuals and comedians is coming to Murdoch University!

Join us for An Evening with Pandji Pragiwaksono, featuring Indonesia’s best-known stand-up comedian, filmmaker, author and political commentator in conversation with HASS Associate Dean of Research, Dr Ian Wilson (Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Studies).

The evening will explore the intersections of comedy, politics, freedom of expression, contemporary Indonesia, and Australia–Indonesia relations, followed by an audience Q&A.

Pandji has built an international reputation for combining incisive political and social commentary with comedy, making him one of the most influential voices in contemporary Indonesian public life. His public shows are sold out, so do make the most of this incredible event!

Dr Ian Wilson brings more than 25 years of expertise in Indonesian politics and society, making this a rare opportunity for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation.

Details:
Monday 31 August 2026
6.30–8.00 pm (Doors open 6.00 pm)
Kim E. Beazley Lecture Theatre, Murdoch University

Whether you have an interest in politics, Southeast Asia, comedy, media, or Australia–Indonesia relations, this promises to be a fascinating evening of discussion and insight.

Tickets are available now via Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/an-evening-with-pandji-pragiwaksono

Presented by Murdoch University, ACICIS, Indo-Pacific Research Centre, Murdoch University , AIPSSA and AIWA