Our Team
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Emeritus Professor Joseph Camilleri OAM
CONVENOR
Joseph Anthony Camilleri OAM is Professor Emeritus at La Trobe University, Melbourne, where he held the Chair in International Relations (1994-2012), and was founding Director of the Centre for Dialogue 2006-2012. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences.
He has authored or edited some thirty-five books and written over 120 book chapters and journal articles, covering such areas as peace and security, geopolitics, governance, the role of culture and religion, intercultural dialogue and conflict resolution. He serves on the board of various organisations, including Melbourne University Publishing and Pearls and Irritations.
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Emma-leigh Theobald
DEPUTY CONVENOR
Emma-leigh Theobald combines her background in higher education with her studies of history, international relations, and truth-telling to explore how narratives of the past influence justice, identity, and dialogue in the present.
Her work and studies reflect a commitment to open, critical, and empathetic engagement across diverse communities and experiences.
As part of Conversation at the Crossroads, she seeks to deepen collective understanding through honest conversation, the use of technology, and creative collaboration.
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Claire Woods
SECRETARY
Claire began her professional life as a Primary School Teacher in the seventies. She went on to be teaching in the community including adult English and literacy and Numeracy to migrants. Various positions gave her experience in administration and management in the community sector leading to 12 year’s work as CEO of an industry super fund. Claire also owned and operated a bookshop for 12 years.
Throughout her career Claire has been an activist in a broad range of areas both local and international, working with others to strive for a more progressive and just world.
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Eshan Arya
TREASURER
Dr Eshan Arya is an accomplished academic and community leader with over two decades of experience across higher education, business, and non-profit sectors. He has taught more than 25,000 students from 120 countries and has trained academics and executives in Singapore and China in business economics and leadership. Holding an MBA in Finance, Dr Arya has previously served as Treasurer for community and educational organisations, combining strategic oversight with strong fiscal responsibility. He is a university award-winning lecturer and recipient of multiple community leadership honours, including recognition for designing a national student wellbeing programme.
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Will Abdo
COMMITTEE MEMBER
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Robiel Abraham
COMMITTEE MEMBER
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Nail Aykan
COMMITTEE MEMBER
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Sai Charan
COMMITTEE MEMBER
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Ben Cromer
COMMITTEE MEMBER
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Sobur Dhieu
COMMITTEE MEMBER
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Eddie Kowalski
COMMITTEE MEMBER
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Paul Marshall
COMMITTEE MEMBER
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Ahmad Nasir
COMMITTEE MEMBER
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Jamel Singh
COMMITTEE MEMBER
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Laurance Splitter
COMMITTEE MEMBER
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Luciana Todd
COMMITTEE MEMBER
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Shobha Varkey
COMMITTEE MEMBER
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Spencer Zifcak
COMMITTEE MEMBER
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Previous Committee Members
Elaine Young
Vuong bich Tram Huynh
Nail Aykan
Alex Barilaro
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Alessandro (Alex) Barilaro is a dedicated PhD student at Deakin University, delving into the intricate tapestry of history. He recently graduated with an Honours degree, complemented by his previous studies in Journalism. Alex's intellectual curiosity is fervently fuelled by a desire to understand how pivotal moments have reshaped our world.
His professional experience in the media has moulded his value of genuine and authentic discourse. With a keen interest in the 20th century and a desire to write and share stories, he has a particular interest in class disparity and social justice, as well as a determination to instigate and encourage conversations about climate change and the lessons of history.
Jelena Kovacevic
Kristian Camilleri
COMMITTEE MEMBER
Kristian Camilleri is a Senior Lecturer in the History and Philosophy of Science program in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne. Kristian has published in the history and philosophy of modern physics, and has collaborated with other scholars from around the world on the History and Foundations of Quantum Physics project. In 2009 he published a book entitled 'Heisenberg and the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics: The Physicist as Philosopher' with Cambridge University Press. His research interests include the interpretations of quantum mechanics, the interplay between culture, philosophy and physics in the first half of the twentieth century, the structure of thought experiments in science and and the changing role of 'popular science' in the scientific culture of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Rashad Seedeen
John Ball
Susan Lengyel
SECRETARY
Susan is a Liaison Officer (Creative Industries) at the Victorian Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions. Susan has worked for many years in environmental sustainability and urban policy. She has been involved in many grass roots movements, including community-sustained agriculture, food cooperatives and those enhancing urban ecology. Susan values opportunities to learn different perspectives and experiences of human connection to nature. She wants to see communities engage in open dialogue about health, wellbeing and environment, and play a greater participatory role in politics.