As a Principal Research Fellow at RMIT, Joan’s research focuses on the role of civil society in our democracy, including the significance of its advocacy function.  Her academic work is informed by a career in policy and advocacy for a range of national non-government organisations in the areas of social services, environment, international development, and Indigenous and consumer affairs.  She was the ACF representative to the Hawke Government.  As well as her university teaching, she currently contributes to various training programs for environmental leaders, such as those run by Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia.