Damian Grenfell

Damian Grenfell is Associate Professor for Global Studies within the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies.

Damian Grenfell has extensive experience across research, teaching and leadership in the Higher Education sector. In terms of research, Damian specialises in forms of social conflict and the use and impacts of violence, and has published and undertaken various projects across fields of security, transitional justice, gender, development, humanitarian interventions, with a particular interest in socio-political changes in post-conflict and post-colonial states. His work has focused particularly on Timor-Leste where he has managed the Timor-Leste Research Program since 2003 and worked in a whole variety of organisations and communities. Research grants have included ARC Discoveries and he has been visiting fellow to various universities in both Europe and the United States. A particular area of interest is on the missing and the dead from conflict in different societal contexts.

His research interests reflect through his teaching where he has extensive experience in undergraduate and postgraduate programs and having taught in all variety of modes (online, on campus, intensives, study tours, in flex semesters and so forth). A particular focus for his teaching is ensuring students develop 'work ready' skill sets and are prepared for the complexities of working in areas of social change and conflict contexts. His main areas of teaching are gender, in peace and conflict and security.

With regards to leadership he has held down a wide variety of leadership positions across teaching and research. He was a program manager (Human Security) in the Global Cities Institute, Deputy Director of the Globalism Institute (2010-2012), Director of the the Centre for Global Research (2012-2017) and program manager for the Master of International Development and Master of Global Studies (2021-2023).

Extensive research engagement with over 40 funders, agencies and communities in Timor-Leste. This includes being the principle research advisor to a four year DFAT funded Ending Violence Against Women program, research training to government and civil society actors, and producing a wide number of influential reports on gender, security and social change.

Key Activities:
- Teaching into the International Studies Undergraduate degree and the Master of International Development and Master of Global Studies programs.
- Research Manager for the Timor-Leste Studies and Program including the Matadalan ba Malu English training program
- PhD and Master by Research Supervisor