Staff Profile
Career Summary
Biography
Pam Nilan is Professor of Sociology in the School of Humanities and Social Science at the University of Newcastle, and Adjunct Fellow in Asian Studies at the University of Western Australia (2013-2016). She is currently the Treasurer of the Asia-Pacific Sociological Association. Professor Nilan is an experienced youth researcher, who has worked in Australia, Vietnam, Fiji and Indonesia. In the youth research field she focuses on school-to-work transitions, gender, class and popular culture. Her current research endeavours are focused in Indonesia. She has published numerous articles in refereed journals and contributed many book chapters to edited collections. She has been a co-author on four books. Professor Nilan is currently a Chief Investigator on an ARC-funded Discovery Grant: Fostering Pro-Environment Consciousness and Practice: Environmentalism, Environmentality and Environmental Education in Indonesia. She has been a Chief Investigator on four previous externally-funded project grants. Professor Nilan has supervised ten Ph.D and M.Phil theses to completion. In 2012 she received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Supervision Excellence in the Faculty of Education and Arts. She was instrumental in developing the Graduate Certificate and Master of Social Change and Development. This program sequence currently has over 75 fee-paying postgraduate coursework students enrolled, including both on-campus international students and online distance education students. In 2010 Professor Nilan spent her sabbatical leave in Europe, where she spent four months teaching undergraduate Indonesian society and culture subjects to students at l'Universite de La Rochelle in France. She was also a research fellow at KITLV in Leiden during this period. Since 2005, Professor Nilan has worked in January each year as a member of the Jakarta Selection Team to interview AusAID-funded Australian Development Scholarship applicants for Indonesia.
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Newcastle, 06/05/1994
- Bachelor of Education, University of New England
- Master of Education, University of New England
Research
Research keywords
- Gender and Development
- Identity and Popular Culture
- School-to-Work Transition
- Social Change in the Asia-Pacific Region
- Youth
Research expertise
Dr Nilan has research expertise in the following fields: youth; gender and development; identity and popular culture; and school-to-work transition. She has expertise in mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) research in Australia and in selected countries of the Asia-Pacific region. She has further expertise in working with large external, non-profit-making, organisations.
Languages
- French
- Indonesian
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 160899 | Sociology Not Elsewhere Classified | 80 |
| 200205 | Culture, Gender, Sexuality | 15 |
| 170199 | Psychology Not Elsewhere Classified | 5 |
Memberships
Committee/Associations (relevant to research).
- Member - Asia-Pacific Sociological Association
- Member - Asian Studies Association of Australia
- Member - International Sociology Association
- Member - The Australian Sociology Association
Awards
Research Award.
| 1990 | Award for Outstanding Educational Research New South Wales Institute of Educational Research (Australia) |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Commonwealth Postgraduate Study Award for Masters Degree Commonwealth Government (Australia) |
Invitations
| Suzie Handajani, Globalizing Local Girls: The Representation of Adolescents in Indonesian Female Teen Magazines University of Western Australia, Australia (Research Masters Examiner.) | 2005 |
| ‘The Construction of Women in Post-New Order Indonesian Cinema’ Curtin University, Australia (Research Masters Examiner.) | 2006 |
| ‘The Quest for Indonesian Islam: Contestation and Consensus Concerning Veiling’ Australian National University, Australia (PHD Examiner.) | 2007 |
| ‘In the System but Out of Place: Understanding Street-Frequenting Young People in Suva, Fiji’ University of Queensland, Australia (PHD Examiner.) | 2007 |
| ‘Muslim Youth in Hong Kong’ University of Queensland, Australia (PHD Examiner.) | 2008 |
| ‘Riding the Global Wave: Male Youth, Tourist Encounters and Subcultural Formation in Kerala, South India’ University of Wollongong, Australia (PHD Examiner.) | 2009 |
| ‘Challenging Stereotypes: Young Gays and Lesbians in Indonesia’ Vrije University Amsterdam, Netherlands (Invited Presenter) | 2010 |
| ‘The Future of Youth Sociology: Global Doubts’ The Australian Sociological Association conference, Macquarie University, Australia (Invited Presenter) | 2011 |
| draft Asia-Pacific Human Development Report on Gender, Power and Voice in the Asia-Pacific region UNDP, Thailand (External Reviewer - Programs.) | 2009 |
Collaboration
Dr Nilan has conducted research collaboration with fellow investigators in Australia, the Asia-Pacific region, France and The Netherlands. She has collaborated on research projects and initiatives with researchers from the following academic and research institutions:
Australian National University
University of Western Australia
La Trobe University
Wollongong University
Fiji University of Technology (Fiji)
Universitas Hasannudin (Indonesia)
Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha (Indonesia)
Universitas Sebelas Maret (Indonesia)
Universitas Indonesia
L'Universite de La Rochelle (France)
KITLV (Leiden, The Netherlands)
Dr Nilan has also conducted applied research and scholarship in conjunction with the following:
Department of Immigration and Citizenship (Australia)
Australian Agency for International Development (Australia)
United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
Administrative
Administrative expertise
Dr Nilan has had extensive administration and governance expertise in universities. In administration, she was Convenor of the Graduate Certificate and Master of Social Change and Development postgraduate coursework programs for six years. In governance, she has been Deputy Dean (2 years), elected Faculty member of Academic Senate (3 years), Deputy Head of School for Research Training (3 years). She is currently Assistant Dean for Research and Research Training in the Faculty of Education and Arts (2 year appointment).
Teaching
Teaching keywords
- Development Studies
- Introductory Sociology
Teaching expertise
Dr Nilan has teaching expertise in the subjects of Introductory Sociology, Social Theory, Research Methodology, Youth Studies, Gender and Development, Indonesian Society and Culture.
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 20 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $516,017 |
For project grants received where the lead institution is other than the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics.
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
2013 (2 grants)
Fostering Pro-Environment Consciousness and Practice: Environmentalism, Environmentality and Environmental Education in Indonesia$105,290
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Lynette Parker, Dr Gregory Acciaioli, Professor Pamela Nilan | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Discovery Projects | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $105,290 | 2013 | 2015 |
| GNo:G1300047 | ||
2014 ARC/NHMRC Fellowship External Applicant Support - FEA$12,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan, Dr Cathy Byrne, Dr Juliette Milner-Thornton, Dr Juliette Huber | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Special Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $12,000 | 2013 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1301071 | ||
2012 (1 grants)
FT13 Future Fellowship External Applicant Support - FEA$16,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Special Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $16,000 | 2012 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1201219 | ||
2011 (1 grants)
Violence, Gender and NGO Initiatives in Indonesia and Sri Lanka$10,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan, Associate Professor Roger Markwick | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Linkage Pilot Research Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $10,000 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1101068 | ||
2009 (2 grants)
Masculinities and violence in Indonesia and India$116,526
Funding Body: AusAID (Australian Agency for International Development)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan, Professor John Germov, Dr Alexander Broom | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| AusAID Development Research Awards | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $116,526 | 2009 | 2010 |
| GNo:G0189470 | ||
The Job Readiness of Muslim Jobseekers and the Relative Effectiveness of Employment Support Services in Australia$88,000
Funding Body: Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Emeritus Professor Terry Lovat, Conjoint Professor Bill Mitchell, Professor Pamela Nilan, Doctor Seyed Abdolhamed Hosseini Faradonbeh, Doctor Beth Cook, Doctor Ibtihal Samarayi | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| National Action Plan for funding | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $88,000 | 2009 | 2009 |
| GNo:G0190368 | ||
2008 (1 grants)
The Australian Sociological Association Conference, The University of Melbourne, 2/12/2008 - 5/12/2008$1,178
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,178 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0189581 | ||
2006 (2 grants)
Ambivalent Adolescents in Indonesia$68,732
Funding Body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Discovery Projects | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $68,732 | 2006 | 2009 |
| GNo:G0186150 | ||
XVI ISA (International Sociology Association)World Congress of Sociology, 23-29 July 2006$2,400
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,400 | 2006 | 2006 |
| GNo:G0186461 | ||
2005 (1 grants)
The Impact of Popular Culture on Young People's Gender Roles and Identities in Fiji$5,500
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $5,500 | 2005 | 2005 |
| GNo:G0184719 | ||
2004 (1 grants)
The 6th Conference of the Asia-Pacific Sociological Association, 17-19 Septemeber 2004, Korea$1,370
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,370 | 2004 | 2004 |
| GNo:G0184787 | ||
2003 (2 grants)
Barriers and facilitators for HCV prevention among sex workers in the Hunter region.$65,890
Funding Body: NSW Ministry of Health
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Erica Southgate, Professor Pamela Nilan, Professor Amanda Baker, Doctor Margaret Harris | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Non Government Organisation Grant Program | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $65,890 | 2003 | 2003 |
| GNo:G0183141 | ||
The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) Conference New Times, New Worlds, New Ideas: Sociology Today and Tomorrow 4 to 6/12/03$380
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $380 | 2003 | 2003 |
| GNo:G0183711 | ||
2002 (2 grants)
Visit of Mr Asmaun Aziz, from 2 September 2002 to 8 November 2002$4,603
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Visitor Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $4,603 | 2002 | 2002 |
| GNo:G0181910 | ||
XV World Congress of Sociology, Brisbane 7-13 July 2002$976
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $976 | 2002 | 2002 |
| GNo:G0182029 | ||
2000 (2 grants)
Young People, Education, Politics and radical Change in North Bali - Stage 2$9,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $9,000 | 2000 | 2000 |
| GNo:G0178805 | ||
annual Conference of the Asia Pacific Sociological Association.$1,660
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,660 | 2000 | 2000 |
| GNo:G0180266 | ||
1999 (1 grants)
Young People, Education, Politics and Radical Change in North Bali.$5,500
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $5,500 | 1999 | 1999 |
| GNo:G0178131 | ||
1998 (1 grants)
International Conference on Vietnamese Studies and the Enhancement of International Cooperation, Vietnam, 15-17 July 1998$670
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $670 | 1998 | 1998 |
| GNo:G0180370 | ||
1996 (1 grants)
Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Sociology - Philippines - 28-31 May$342
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Pamela Nilan | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $342 | 1996 | 1996 |
| GNo:G0176310 | ||
Research Supervision
| Number of current supervisions | 3 |
|---|---|
| Total current UoN PhD EFTSL | 1.38 |
For supervisions undertaken at an institution other that the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics, and the institution name is listed below the program name.
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Proposed Completion | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2017 | PhD (Sociology & Anthropology) | Principal Supervisor | Unemployed Graduates in Indonesia: Making the Transition to Adulthood through Entrepreneurial Activities and Mobility |
| 2013 | 2021 | PhD (Sociology & Anthropology) | Principal Supervisor | On the Streets: Youth Street Art in Yogyakarta as a Contemporary Assemblage |
| 2007 | 2015 | PhD (Sociology & Anthropology) | Co-Supervisor | The Mental Health Experiences of Early Retired Males in the Hunter Region |
Past Supervision
| Year | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | PhD (Sociology & Anthropology) | Principal Supervisor | Experiences of the 1996-2006 Civil Conflict in Nepal: Narratives of Engagement of Tamangs (Indigenous People) and Buhan-Chhetris (Non-Indigenous People) |
| 2012 | PhD (Education) | Principal Supervisor | TVET in Fiji: Attitudes, Perceptions and Discourses |
| 2011 | PhD (Sociology & Anthropology) | Co-Supervisor | Cultural Rules and Patterning in Food Systems and Nutrition of the Orang Asli Temiar: The Indigenous People of Peninsular Malaysia |
| 2010 | PhD (Sociology & Anthropology) | Principal Supervisor | Competing Discourses of Female Empowerment for School-Age Girls: Michel Foucault's Analytics of Power as a Theoretical Framework |
| 2009 | PhD (Sociology & Anthropology) | Principal Supervisor | Back to the Future, for Better or Worse? Meanings of Marriage for Young Women in the Lower Hunter Region, Australia |
| 2009 | PhD (Sociology & Anthropology) | Principal Supervisor | Youth and Habitus at Three Australian Schools: Perceptions of Ambitions, Risks and the Future in Reflexive Modernity |
| 2007 | Honours Sociology University of Newcastle | Sole Supervisor | Single Mothers |
| 2007 | PhD (Sociology & Anthropology) | Sole Supervisor | The Complexity of Labour Market Inequalities: Gendered Subjectivity, Material Circumstances and Young Women's Aspirations |
| 2006 | Honours Tourism University of Newcastle | Sole Supervisor | The Meanings of Leisure for Women who have Survived Domestic Violence |
| 2006 | Honours Sociology University of Newcastle | Sole Supervisor | Experiences of ESL Teachers in Thailand |
| 2005 | Honours Sociology University of Newcastle | Sole Supervisor | Bisexuality and Sex Education in New South Wales Schools |
| 2005 | PhD (Comm & Media Arts) | Principal Supervisor | The Gap between Indonesian Media Training and the Profession: Factors Affecting Young Women in Communication Studies and Media Careers |
| 2004 | PhD (Nursing) | Co-Supervisor | All the comforts of home? A critical ethnography of residential aged care in New Zealand |
| 2003 | PHD Sociology University of Newcastle | Sole Supervisor | Women Workers and the Informal Economy |
| 2002 | Honours Sociology University of Newcastle | Sole Supervisor | Youth Subcultures in Two Goth Nighclubs |
| 2002 | Honours Sociology University of Newcastle | Sole Supervisor | Young People, Risk and Political Awareness |
| 2001 | Masters Sociology University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor | Young People and Citizenship |
| 1999 | Honours Sociology University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor | Young Women and Surfing in Newcastle |
| 1999 | Honours Sociology University of Newcastle | Sole Supervisor | Why do Women Choose to Remain Childless? |
| 1998 | Honours Sociology University of Newcastle | Sole Supervisor | Young Women and the Negotiation of Sexual Risk |
| 1998 | Honours Sociology University of Newcastle | Sole Supervisor | The Enabling Characteristics of Hospital-Based Specialist Nursing Education |
| 1997 | Honours Sociology University of Newcastle | Sole Supervisor | Women Managing their Households |
Professor Pamela Nilan
| Work Phone | (02) 4921 5912 |
|---|---|
| Fax | (02) 4921 8822 |
| Pamela.Nilan@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Position | Professor School of Humanities and Social Science Faculty of Education and Arts |
| Focus Area | Sociology and Anthropology |
| Office | W323, Behavioural Sciences, Callaghan University Drive Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia |
| URL: | www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/pamela-nilan |
