Polis
Collaborative political science and international studies research
How our research examines local and global political challenges
In the early twenty-first century, human communities face an array of complex political challenges, including climate change, disease pandemics, humanitarian disasters, ethnic and religious conflict, post-truth politics and ever-widening global inequities. These challenges are at once local and global in scope and are questioning traditional forms of sovereignty and nationhood.
For the Polis research network, these challenges serve as evidence that the study of politics and international studies is central in the drive towards a sustainable, tolerant, democratic and peaceful future.
Our research areas
Through our research, we aim to create advances in knowledge that can address the key challenges facing local communities and global politics. Our research focuses on significant policy debates, security challenges and humanitarian disasters, moving towards advancing democracy, peace and development.
Politics and international relations
Our politics and international relations researchers examine the critical local and global political challenges facing the 21st century.
Defence, peace and conflict studies
Our members at the Deakin Centre for Future Defence and National Security research past and contemporary conflicts and future prospects for peace.
Humanitarian crises, emergency and disaster management
At the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, Polis members examine the causes and consequences of crises, emergencies and disasters across the globe.
International and community development
Members from the disciplines of international and community development conduct research into the factors that shape poverty and inequality and evaluate the impediments to development.
Contribute to the understanding of contemporary politics
Undertaking a PhD at Deakin is an opportunity to work with and be mentored by renowned researchers.
Our researchers
Steered by our group leaders, our team consists of 400 united members from within and outside Deakin. They bring a range of disciplinary expertise based on decades of combined experience.
Dr Maria Rae is a senior lecturer in politics and policy in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Her research interests include political communication, media, podcasts and digital journalism. Maria’s work explores how marginalised and fringe communities use media to contest dominant narratives.
Dr Emily Tannock is a lecturer in war studies at the Centre for Future Defence and National Security in Canberra. She has extensive experience of researching normative debates about the legitimacy of war.
- Professor Shahram Akbarzadeh, Research Professor
- Dr Bianca Baggiarini, Lecturer, International Relations
- Associate Professor Sam Balaton-Chrimes, Associate Professor
- Professor Greg Barton, Chair in Global Islamic Politics
- Dr James Brien, Lecturer
- Dr Sandra Carrasco, Lecturer, Humanitarianism and Development
- Associate Professor Danielle Chubb, Associate Professor in International Relations
- Dr Rob Engen, Senior Lecturer, War Studies
- Associate Professor Peter Ferguson, Associate Professor
- Associate Professor Michael Finch, Associate Professor of the History of War and Strategy
- Dr Jules Gaspard, Senior Lecturer in Strategy and Technology
- Dr David Giles, Senior Lecturer
- Dr Jade Guan, Senior Lecturer in International Politics and Strategy
- Associate Professor Joshua Hallwright, Visitor
- Associate Professor Ahmed Hashim, Associate Professor, War Studies
- Associate Professor Michael Hatherell, Deputy Director, Centre for Future Defence and National Security
- Professor Baogang He, Deakin Distinguished Professor and Personal Chair in International Relations
- Associate Professor David Hundt, Associate Professor of International Relations
- Professor Benjamin Isakhan, Professor, International Politics
- Dr Liam Kane, Lecturer, Military History
- Dr Leanne Kelly, Deakin University Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- Associate Professor Max Kelly, Associate Professor, International and Community Development
- Professor Damien Kingsbury, Emeritus Professor
- Associate Professor Costas Laoutides, Associate Professor, International Relations
- Dr Daniel Mcavoy, Senior Lecturer in Humanitarian Assistance
- Associate Professor Mary Ana McGlasson, Director, Centre for Humanitarian Leadership
- Associate Professor Yamini Narayanan, ARC Future Fellow
- Associate Professor Amy Nethery, Associate Professor
- Associate Professor Zim Nwokora, Associate Professor
- Karine Pontbriand, Lecturer, Cyber Security and Strategy
- Dr Maria Rae, Senior Lecturer
- Professor Michael Rainsborough, Professor and Director, Centre for Future Defence and National Security
- Dr Geoffrey Robinson, Senior Lecturer
- Associate Professor Josh Roose, Associate Professor
- Associate Professor Steven Slaughter, Associate Head of School, Teaching and Learning
- Dr Emily Tannock, Lecturer, War Studies
- Dr Adriano Tedde, Lecturer, Strategic and American Studies
- Professor Miguel Vatter, Professor in Political Science
- Associate Professor Matteo Vergani, Associate Professor
- Associate Professor Anthony Ware, Associate Professor of Humanitarianism and Development
- Associate Professor Cai Wilkinson, Associate Professor, International Relations
- Associate Professor Pichamon Yeophantong, Associate Professor, Strategic Studies
- Professor Ihsan Yilmaz, Research Chair in Islamic Studies and Intercultural Dialogue
- Dr Claire Yorke, Senior Lecturer
- Dr Shannon Zimmerman, Lecturer, Strategic Studies
Featured projects
Polis members currently lead dozens of national and international research projects in partnership with stakeholders in government, NGOs, civil society and local communities.
The parliamentary careers project
The Parliamentary Research Unit examines the career trajectories and professional challenges faced by members of parliament before, during and after their time in parliament. The project develops tools for parliaments to better support their current and former members.
Techno-totalitarianism vs. disruptive new technologies
This project explores the ways social media, new encryption technologies and cyber-surveillance are deployed as a new battlefront, as coercive authoritarian structures, as enablers of resistance, and as ambiguous contributors to both security and insecurity of individuals.
Our partnerships
Collaborations are central to our work. We actively engage with a diverse range of domestic and international partners, including local communities, NGOs, civil society groups, state and federal governments, and multilateral bodies.
Contact us
Get in touch to learn more about research in Polis, or to work or study with us.
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