In Focus: Executive Dean Presents is a series of major panel discussions that draws on ACU's expertise, leading thinkers and decision makers to tackle current and emerging issues for arts and education and how they will shape the future of Australia.
Australia is currently facing an unprecedented housing crisis, where affordability and access are seemingly out of reach for many. Driven by economic pressures, shifting demographics, and systemic inequities, the barriers to secure housing have never been greater. Is there hope for people looking to get their foot on the first rung of the housing ladder? This panel brings together experts from the housing industry, academia, and politics to explore the structural and agential factors driving the crisis and what can be done to improve the outlook. Are sweeping policy reforms the answer, or can individual and community-led initiatives pave the way?
Join us for a critical discussion on the causes, impacts, and pathways to unlock affordable housing for all Australians.
See our panel of experts down below.
When: Thursday 27th March 2025 12.30pm - 4pm (AEDT) with drinks/ canapes.
Where: ACU Melbourne Campus, The Greg Craven Centre, Level 7 St Teresa of Kolkata Building, 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy VIC. The event will be livestreamed and recorded.
If you have questions about In Focus or this event you can contact us at FEA.DeputyDean@acu.edu.au
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Professor Joy Damousi AM is Panel Chair and Dean of Arts and Humanities at ACU leading the National School of Arts and Humanities and Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences in the Faculty of Education and Arts. She is an award-winning scholar of memory and war, the history of emotions, and migration history in relation to refugees, humanitarianism and internationalism. She is one of Australia’s most distinguished historians and public intellectuals, and a leader in the humanities in Australia and internationally. In 2022, Professor Damousi was made a Member (AM) in the Order of Australia for significant service to social sciences and the humanities, to history and to tertiary education.
As Managing Director of the Housing Industry Association, Jocelyn Martin’s key role is to promote the profile of Australia’s residential construction industry and to remind everyone of the value the sector contributes to the Australian economy.
Joining HIA in 2014, Jocelyn held several prior roles, including Chief Executive – Operations and Deputy Managing Director – Policy and Industry before being appointed as MD in 2023.
Jocelyn brings vast business experience specifically in the not-for-profit sector and a strong desire to maintain HIA’s respected industry voice and enhance connection with members. She values HIA’s forward-thinking advocacy on housing issues, and the importance of conveying members’ challenges. Through her experience in education and social enterprises, Jocelyn also knows first-hand the importance of building a networked community and the role HIA plays in fostering human connection among our industry stakeholders.
Jocelyn has an undergraduate degree majoring in Economics and Econometrics and post graduate degrees in Accounting and in Corporate Governance. She brings over 30 years’ experience in events, training and the community sector. She is also a small business owner.
Jocelyn and her leadership team are working hard to ensure the residential building sector is a thriving contributor to Australia’s economy and holds a place of pride across the country.
Tom Barnes is a sociologist of work, economic sociologist and Principal Research Fellow at the Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University (ACU), in Sydney.
His research primarily focuses on insecure work, labour markets and new technology. He is currently researching global warehouse logistics and automotive manufacturing. He completed his PhD in political economy at the University of Sydney in 2011 and has expertise on work and economic development in India. He has written two books in this area: Informal Labour in Urban India (Routledge, 2015) and Making Cars in the New India (Cambridge University Press, 2018). He is currently completing a third book on ‘just transitions’ for workers and communities follow the demise of auto manufacturing in Australia. His articles have appeared in several international journals, including The Sociological Review, Environment & Planning A and Urban Studies.
Juanita Pope is the Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS).
A lawyer and consultant specialising in the not-for-profit sector, Juanita has 20 years’ experience in not-for-profit governance and leadership.
She worked for almost a decade at Justice Connect as Head of Not-for-profit Law and, before joining VCOSS, held the role of General Counsel and Company Secretary at climate advocacy organisation The Sunrise Project. Juanita has also practiced in corporate law and at the Federal Court of Australia. She studied at the University of Melbourne (1998-2003) obtaining a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Australian Studies and Cultural Studies).
David is the Chief Executive Officer of Housing Choices Australia, an independent not-for-profit housing provider, delivering high quality affordable housing. He serves on the Board of the Suburban Land Agency (ACT), is the former Chair of Homelessness NSW and the former President of NSW Council of Social Services.
David has expertise in leadership, customer services and property development including urban renewal; public/private and joint venture partnerships; social and affordable housing; and mixed tenure developments in the UK and Australia including large scale urban renewal programs in Glasgow and Manchester. As an experienced CEO with financial, governance and compliance experience, David has proven leadership abilities spanning different countries and jurisdictions. He has worked for organisations seeking to increase their social impact through growth and expansion into new markets, improvements in operational effectiveness and developing new innovative models of service.
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