About

Qualifications

• 2010-current PhD (Anthropology) University of Sydney
  • Dissertation: "Environmental Change, Cultural Practices and Social Transformation in a Hunter Valley Community"
• 2008-2010 PhD (Sociology & Anthropology), University of Newcastle
  • Dissertation: "Environmental Change, Cultural Practices and Social Transformation in a Hunter Valley Community"
• 2001-2006 Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in Sociology and Anthropology, University of Newcastle
  • Dissertation: "Immune to Criticism? A sociological investigation of conscientious objection to mass childhood vaccination"
    

Languages

• Dutch/Flemish fluent
• French/German working knowledge
  

Research

Research Interests

Current Research

PhD Thesis title: Environmental Change, Cultural Practices and Social Transformation in a Hunter Valley Community
 
The effects of coal mining and combustion on local communities have not been adequately researched even though export-oriented coal production is a key element of Australia's economy in the 21st century. Increasing numbers of rural Australian communities are affected by profound changes to climate, environment and social life associated with open-cut mining and coal-fired power stations. My research project will link the international issues of climate change and global warming, with the associated localised issues occurring within a Hunter Valley community (Gloucester). My project will examine these questions from the point of view of local residents, highlighting the development of social, behavioural and ethical responses to the threat of climate change by individuals living in a mining-affected community. It will complement available scientific information, contributing to theories of community, place and environmental change, as well as to socially sustainable solutions at the local level.

Conference Papers

Hes, N. (2009) 'Attempting to globalize the local in the fight against climate change,' Research Higer Degree Symposium, 1 June 2009, University of Newcastle.

Hes, N. (2009) 'Local mobilisation against climate change in the Asia Pacific,' The 9th Conference of the Asia Pacific Sociological Association, 13-15 June, Kuta Bali.

Other

Awards and Prizes

• 2010 Australian Postgraduate Award (APA), University of Sydney
• 2008 University of Newcastle Research Scholarship Central (UNRSC)
• 2007 University Medal, University of Newcastle
• 2007 Education & Arts Faculty Medal for Sociology & Anthropology, University of Newcastle
• 2004 Commonwealth Learning Scholarship, University of Newcastle
• 2003 Summer Vacation Undergraduate Scholarship, University of Newcastle
  

Membership of Societies and Professional Bodies

• 2007-2008, 2010 Member, The Australian Sociological Association (TASA)
• 2010 Member, The Australian Anthropiological Society (AAS)

Tutoring/Marking

• SOCA3902: Religion & Politics in Contemporary Society (Semester 1, 2009)
• SOCA3165: Sociology of Australian Families (Semester 2, 2007)
• GEOG1030: Global Poverty and Development (Semester 1, 2007)
• NURS2182: Prudence in Nursing & Practice (Semester 1, 2007)
• NURS3163: Sexuality & Families (Semester 1, 2007)
• SOCA6190: Gender & Social Change (Semester 1, 2007)
  

Employment History

2007-current Web editor, School of Humanities & Social Science, University of Newcastle
2007-2009 Research Assistant for the Centre for Asia Pacific Social Transformation Studies (CAPSTRANS), University of Newcastle
2007-2009 Casual Academic, School of Humanities & Social Science, University of Newcastle
2005-2006 Research Assistant, Justice Policy Research Centre (JPRC), University of Newcastle