About the Author
Erin Hawley is a Senior Lecturer in Communication at Deakin University, where she teaches primarily into the core and capstone program of the Master of Communication. She currently lives and works in Melbourne, Australia, and has previously taught communication and media studies at universities in Western Australia and Tasmania. Erin’s research investigates environmental communication for children and the spaces where media and environmental literacy intersect.
Contributing authors:
Ruth Stephanie A. Akolo was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya and currently resides in Australia. Ruth is a Masters student pursuing her degree in Communication and Public Relations. She strongly believes in the power of passion when adopted into little aspects of our daily lives to achieve sustainable and long-term goals. Ruth began her journey in the Communication field over three years ago. One of her greatest achievements has been contributing as the lead copywriter for Westminster Foundation for Democracy (Kenya) to help launch their first official e-newsletter.
Kelsey Avalon is a Maori-Australian Communications professional in the not-for-profit sector. Now based in Wadawarrung country, Kelsey has spent several years working and volunteering with women-led community organisations in different parts of the world including Peru, Egypt and Northern Ireland. Kelsey published her first book in 2016 and is currently pursuing a double Masters Degree in Counselling and Communications.
John Micael Callao is a journalist and social media content creator currently pursuing a Master of Communication (Journalism) at Deakin University. He holds a Bachelors degree in Journalism and a Diploma in Arts and Design. He is a member of the Melbourne Press Club and the Philippine Association of Media and Information Literacy. In 2021, he received the prestigious ‘Top 10 Outstanding Citizens’ award for his remarkable community contributions in his hometown, G.M.A., Philippines.
Sha Fallon is a Masters of Communication student from Western Australia, who holds a degree in Social Sciences. Sha walks in two worlds thanks to the diverse pearling influence of the North West. This influence has motivated Sha to spend much of her career working in grassroots community development programs in regional and remote areas of WA. Sha is passionate about starting where people are and working to build their capacity as she believes that leads to long term sustainable development for individuals and communities.
Deanne Firth FCA is the Founder and Director of Tactical Super, an award-winning chartered accounting firm specialising in audit. Deanne imparts her knowledge by speaking at a variety of conferences and webinars on superannuation and taxation. Deanne is one of the authors of two international best-selling books: Better Business, Better Life, Better World and Legacy, which feature advice on building a business for good in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Lily Huynh, an avid communicator and educator from Vietnam, hails from a diverse background in education, event planning, and content creation. With rich experience as an English tutor and assistant, she has ventured into curating impactful content. Currently pursuing a Master’s in communication with a focus on Public Relations, she bridges her academic pursuits with practical expertise, embodying the core concepts of effective communication
Grace Jing Johnson was born in Sydney and has an academic background in classical music, literature and communications. Most recently, she was living in France and undertaking her Masters studies when protests erupted across the country, leading her to undertake this semiological study of French protest culture.
Kym Lam Sam, a dedicated brand strategist and coach from Brisbane, Australia, enriches the field with 15 years of industry experience. His passion lies in mentoring business leaders and helping them to articulate their brand’s unique value proposition. Known for his insightful and collaborative approach, Kym excels in teaching effective brand control and success measurement techniques.
Diana Ortega Molina is a dynamic marketing professional with 8 years of experience in branding, communications, and marketing across diverse industries, including technology and impact enterprises. Originally from Mexico and now residing in sunny Queensland, Diana is a first-generation immigrant who brings a unique blend of perspectives, honed through her personal and professional experiences in London and Australia. Her passion for working with purpose-driven organisations inspires her to deliver creative and comprehensive marketing and communication strategies.
Ngoc Linh Nguyen is a dedicated learner in the Master of Communication with a focus on Digital Media, commencing in 2023. At the time of writing, she has garnered four years of marketing experience in both global agency and in-house settings. Currently contributing to the marketing team of Australia’s largest independent research company, Ngoc Linh values the blend of academic pursuits and real-world insights gained throughout her professional journey.
Harshita Pant is a seasoned storyteller with four vibrant years spent in the dynamic landscape of Indian news media. With an innate knack for weaving words, she possesses the ability to breathe life into mere thoughts, sculpting narratives that captivate and inspire.
Serena Pantano is a post-graduate Communication student from Adelaide, SA. She has an interest in fandom and participatory culture, as well as government and political communications. Serena has had experience working in communications in government and education environments.
Deni Stanwix works in Strategic Communications and Policy at a not-for-profit health promotion organisation in Hobart, Tasmania. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Philosophy, a Post-graduate Certificate in Policy and Politics, and is currently studying a Master of Communication, specialising in Public Relations. She enjoys reading books, eating vegetables and asking questions.
Cover design by Kym Lam Sam.
