EDI x SDGs Pecha Kucha

For more than 30 years, Professor Stephen Loo has researched, taught and practised in the transdisciplinary nexus of design, philosophy, art, performance and science. He has published widely in architecture and design theory, biophilosophy, posthumanist ethics, performance studies, art theory, ecological humanities and experimental computational and digital thinking. He holds a PhD in architecture and philosophy from the University of Sydney. 

Steve is the brain behind the EDI x SDGs Pecha Kucha! 

Joshua Karras is a PhD candidate in the UNSW School of Population Health. He is the postgraduate representative on the SDGs Steering Committee and UNSW Council. He describes himself as a passionate and enthusiastic professional with an acute desire to present and communicate the importance of international collaboration, policy, communication, project research, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Associate Professor Ann Kayis-Kumar's research conceptualises tax as a mechanism to achieve social justice across the taxpaying spectrum; ranging from improving the integrity of taxing multinationals to improving the wellbeing of financially vulnerable individuals and small businesses. She is the Founding Director of UNSW Tax and Business Advisory Clinic, an international award-winning platform for experiential work-integrated learning, innovative grassroots research and catalysing social impact across Australia.

Dr Laura McKemmish is a quantum chemist and molecular physicist and Senior Lecturer in the School of Chemistry. Her expertise is in theoretical and computational modelling of the molecules, particularly their spectroscopy. She loves interdisciplinary work and combining interesting methods with interesting applications. Laura also coordinates the SciX@UNSW program, which is designed to support passionate high school students who are eager to delve into scientific research.

Professor Xiaoqi Feng is a Professor of Urban Health and Environment in the School of Population Health. She leads a program of epidemiological research that informs strategies to improve urban health. Her research has enabled councils with a public health/social licence to plan and implement urban greening strategies (e.g. Greening Sydney 2030). She trains the next generation of epidemiologists by teaching university courses and coaching PhD students and early career researchers in the PowerLab, which she co-founded in 2016. Her work aims to reduce health inequities by improving the availability of health promoting resources and healthcare, through a process of co-production with clinicians, urban planners and partners in public, private and third sector organisations. She is dedicated to empowering young and diverse communities of scientists across Australia and beyond.

Peter Poulet is Director of the UNSW Cities Institute, Central City District Commissioner for the Greater Cities Commission (GCC) and a former NSW government architect (2012-2018). He is an architect with 35 years of experience in the private, public and university sectors and a practising and exhibiting visual artist, with industry, government, academic and creative capability. It is estimated that by 2050, more than 68 per cent of the world’s population will live in urban areas. However, with urbanisation comes challenges such as meeting the needs of growing populations and addressing the demand for housing, transportation, energy systems, and infrastructure. The Cities Institute curates multidisciplinary research projects and partnerships to make sure we are addressing and solving the most pressing issues in a collaborative, long-term and strategic way.

Yssy Burton-Clark holds qualifications in Communications and Criminology & Criminal Justice, and previously worked in stakeholder engagement, communications, administration and customer service, as well as completing a placement in disability research at the UNSW Social Policy Research Centre. They are also currently completing Honours in Criminology, incorporating crip theory and cultural criminology in a critical analysis of pop culture depictions of psychosocial disability. They are a Project Officer with the Yuwaya Ngarra-li Partnership and have worked with the UNSW Disability Innovation Institute and Division of EDI. 

Associate Professor Michele Roberts is Associate Dean (Post-Experience) at UNSW Business School and the Academic Director of AGSM.

Michele developed AGSM’s new ‘Graduate Certificate in Sustainable and Inclusive Business’ and MBA Specialisation in ‘Sustainable and Inclusive Business’, both launching in January 2024. She also developed and co-facilitates the MBA Global Network Course on ‘The Race to Net Zero’. She also co-developed the AGSM Responsible Management Curriculum which is embedded throughout every MBA core course at AGSM. 

In addition to developing and facilitating courses on sustainable business for MBA students, Michele also develops and co-facilitates Business Sustainability Executive Education programs for large corporations, including banks, energy companies and government departments. 

Michele is a facilitator of the EFMD global program, ‘Mainstreaming the SDGs in Business Education’, where she teaches other Business Schools how to incorporate sustainability into their teaching.

Dr Roberts was the inaugural Chair of the UNSW Business School SDG Committee and an inaugural member of the UNSW SDG Committee, where she helped to advance sustainability at UNSW.

Professor Greg Leslie is the Director of the UNSW Global Water Institute and the Director of the UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology. His research team in the School of Chemical Engineering research works on water and nutrient recycling, with goals to reduce the environmental footprint of water, food and biofuel sectors. Prior to joining UNSW, he worked in the public and private sectors on water treatment, reuse and desalination projects in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and the United States.

Associate Professor Bruce Watson is Acting-DVC EDI and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture. He works to align people authentically with the strategic direction of UNSW and to create innovative, world-class teaching and research products, and is keenly focused on creating a great workplace where people feel valued and are treated with respect always. His research and teaching background mainly revolved around sustainable futures, design studio learning and teaching, and most recently higher education management and policy. He has practised as an artist, architect and interior architect.