The overarching theme of Humanity and human values in law and business drives our faculty research. We focus our research on the lives of society’s most marginalised and vulnerable people, who are often at the periphery of policy and organisational concerns. By illuminating rarely revealed aspects of organisations and societies, we develop critical insights that align closely with ACU’s Mission.
Before joining ACU in July 2023, Joy was a Principal Research Scientist with CSIRO in the Australian eHealth Research Centre and previously was Research Director of Social Marketing @ Griffith, Griffith University, the world's largest academic social marketing centre. Joy has led large industry funded research and evaluation projects with partners including Queensland Health, Diabetes Queensland, Stroke Foundation, and Western Queensland PHN. Behaviour change programs Joy has developed have directly engaged over 200, 000 participants resulting in improved health behaviours and quality of life. Joy serves as the Editor-in-Chief for Health Marketing Quarterly and has been a member of the Australian Association of Social Marketing Management Committee from 2014 serving as vice president between 2021 and 2023.
The wellbeing of employees, consumers and other stakeholders of markets
Justice, policy and law reform within the Asia-Pacific region: JPLR (APAC)
Human-centred Intelligent Learning and Software Technologies (HilstLab)
Research in the Peter Faber Business School focuses on the social and interpersonal aspects of contemporary organisations, innovation in the marketplace and how policy frameworks and knowledge impact on money management at the macro and individual levels.
Our research provides powerful arguments towards a paradigm shift in rethinking the purpose of business and management for the common good. We shift attention from financial-technical aspects of “business as usual”. We critically apply business-school concepts, emphasising the ethical, social, and psychological aspects of organisations in public service, not-for-profit and business sectors for the good of wider society.
Recent examples include multiple articles in such outlets as:
With a particular focus on human rights endeavours and the private law of just societies, our research explores the interaction between domestic law and international human rights law. Our researchers in law examine issues at the intersection of human rights and religion, society and politics, Indigenous issues in Australia and overseas, transitional justice, and the human rights implications of globalisation and development, including intellectual property rights.
Today's technology is not only pervasive, but intelligent and moving towards autonomy. Our researchers investigate how artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, Internet of Things, smart devices, and cloud computing can dramatically transform the way we work and live. They also examine how the convergence of these technologies leads to challenges with interpersonal communication and human-machine interaction, and their impact on our society both sociologically and economically.
Our staff members pursue Mission focused, values-based research that aims to positively impact Australia and the globe. We publish regularly in some of the world’s most highly regarded journals.
Recent examples include multiple articles in such outlets as:
This lab is a self-formed research group on the North Sydney campus with 3 ACU researchers who share common research interests.
Find out more https://hilstlab.org
Our research in the fields of business and law is rated ‘world standard’ as reported in the Excellence in Research Australia 2018 quality audit.
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ACU welcomed the latest cohort of Ramsay Scholars at a special event last week, with a record number of students joining the Western Civilisation Program in 2024.
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ACU has launched a Master of Liberal Arts (Western Civilisation) in partnership with the Ramsay Centre.
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