Research Expertise

Greek Philosophy
Magic in antiquity; Literary portraits of witches, especially in ancient literature; Neo-paganism and modern esoteric traditions, particularly Rosaleen Norton (1917-1979).

Medieval Europe and Australian religious history. 'Religion and Imperialism in Australia from Colony to Nation' (ARC Discovery Grant, 2005-07) and 'Muslims and Christians: Women, religious nationalism and sustainability in the Asia Pacific Region' (with Santi Rozario and Terry Lovat, ARC Discovery Grant, 2005-07).

Reason, science and religion: Dynamical systems foundations for philosophy and science; specific applications of the general model of reality as a highly dynamical complex self-organising adaptive system to understanding foundations of the sciences and philosophy, especially science as a self-organising, information-concentrating complex system. Also the relation of traditional Chinese medicine to contemporary science.

Religious thought of the ancient Mediterranean, and medieval and early modern Europe.
Religious history of the Hunter region.

Urbanisation and social change in Melanesia; Anthropology of law (focus on village courts in PNG); Economic anthropology; Myth and history in Melanesian societies.

MA: The Scottish Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge. Justine Atkinson. Supervisor: Philip Dwyer.
PhD: The Court Catholicism of Anne of Denmark(1603 - 1619), Cheryl Dawes. Supervisors: Hilary Carey and Roger Markwick.

PhD, 2001: "Binjang" of the "Second Vale of Tempe": The Frontier at Wellington Valley, New South Wales, 1871-1851. David Roberts. Supervisor: Hilary Carey
PhD: Matrons at the Royal Newcastle Hospital, Betty Capper. Supervisor: Hilary Carey.
PhD, 2004: Utilitarians in Puritan Garb: William Goodell, Antebellum Reform and the New England Clergy, Troy Duncan. Supervisor: Chris Dixon.
MA: St John's Anglican Church at Stroud, Student: Bob Butters. Supervisors: Claire Walkers and Erik Eklund.