The ANU Australian Studies Institute (AuSI) extends a warm welcome to our next Visiting Fellow for the 2022-23 Program, Dr Erin O’Brien.

During her Fellowship, Erin will examine the role of the state in market-based activism by analysing the Australian government’s recent moves to ban or limit secondary boycotts by environmental activists.

“I am delighted to welcome Erin to AuSI as a Visiting Fellow to carry out her innovative research in analysing and comparing market-based activism in Australia and globally. Her Fellowship with AuSI will allow her to collaborate with relevant ANU researchers and explore new interdisciplinary avenues to further advance her research.”

- Professor Paul Pickering, Director, ANU Australian Studies Institute

“I feel privileged to undertake this research at the Australian Studies Institute, as Australia is a significant player in investment. Understanding the intersection between the state, corporate actors, interest groups and individuals in protest politics in the Australian marketplace will have global ramifications for ethical investment on issues including climate change and human rights.”

- Dr Erin O’Brien, Visiting Fellow, ANU Australian Studies Institute

Dr Erin O’Brien is Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow in the Centre for Justice, Queensland University of Technology. Dr O’Brien’s research examines political advocacy, activism, and participation, with a current focus on protest politics in the market including ethical consumption, political consumerism and shareholder activism. Dr O’Brien is particularly interested in studying the interplay between activists and the state in the construction of knowledge and formation of policy. She is the recipient of an Australian Research Council DECRA Fellowship to study civil society organisations’ efforts to mobilise ethical consumerism and shareholder activism to address modern slavery.