Zhiqun Zhu
Zhiqun Zhu is Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Bucknell University. He is also a Fulbright Scholar at Griffith University.
Gerard Noonan
Gerard Noonan is a former editor of The Australian Financial Review. He is a Walkley award winning journalist, former Chair of Media Super and previously a board member of the Federal Government’s Innovation Australia,
Martin Hardie
Martin Hardie has had a global career spanning law, academia, journalism, and cultural advocacy. Born in Australia, he holds a Law Degree with Honours (Northern Territory University) and a PhD in Legal Anthropology (Deakin University). He has lived and worked in Australia, the UK, Timor-Leste, Panama, Mozambique, and Spain, blending legal practice with social impact. As a lawyer, Hardie pioneered the Aboriginal copyright cases in the 1980s–90s and served in landmark cases like the Timor Gap and the NT Euthanasia disputes. He has advised Timor-Leste’s resistance and political leaders from 1992 until the present time. Academically, he’s taught law and society at universities worldwide, including Deakin, NTU, Florida State, UNPAZ and UNDIL.Beyond law, Hardie has managed bands (e.g., The Laughing Clowns and Warumpi Band), ran Aboriginal art centres, and has written for El País and cycling magazines. His book, Governing the Society of Competition examines law and sovereignty in neoliberalism through the lens on pro-cycling’s war on doping. Now based in Aileu, Timor-Leste, he is currently the Principal Research Officer for President José Ramos-Horta and runs with his family Dili Vanilli and Posada Txiriboga, merging his interdisciplinary expertise to shape law, culture, and development.
John Sutton
I commenced working for the Building Workers Industrial Union (BWIU) as an organizer in 1980. After 11 years in the NSW Branch I was elected as the National Assistant Secretary of the BWIU. In 1993 I was the first National Secretary of the Construction Division of the newly formed Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU). After 13 years in this role I became the National Secretary of the entire union. From 2007 -2010 I was a Vice President of the ACTU. From 2002 -2010 I was the International President of a world wide Building Workers Federation. After leaving the union at the end of 2010 I worked as an Associate Commissioner at the Productivity Commission, taught Industrial Relations/Law at UNSW, worked on government boards and been a Director of the Industry Superannuation Property Trust (ISPT). I am now retired.
Sindra Sharma
Dr Sindra Sharma is the International Policy Lead at the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN). She has a background in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, economics and international development. She holds a PhD from the London School of Economics. Hailing from Fiji, her work has always centred on climate justice with a focus on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and developing countries.
James Wood
James Wood is a British-Australian IT professional specialising in artificial intelligence and cyber security, currently living in China. With a career rooted in the technology sector, he is passionate about geopolitics, particularly China’s evolving role on the global stage, offers him a unique perspective that bridges technology and global security matters. An avid creative writer and photographer, he enjoys capturing the beauty of the world and stays active through hiking and fitness. Living in China has allowed James to experience the country firsthand, free from Western preconceptions, enriching his appreciation for Chinese culture and viewpoints. His open-minded approach directly results from his time living in China.
Pearls and Irritations guest David Bell
David Bell, Senior Scholar at Brownstone Institute, is a public health physician and biotech consultant in global health. He is the former Program Head for malaria and febrile diseases at the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Bill Calcutt
Bill has been involved in complex social research in government and academic settings for over three decades, with areas of study including governance, accountability, ethics, risk management and counter-terrorism.
Adelajda Soltysik
Adelajda Soltysik has been working with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, peak bodies, non-profits, and government organisations for over 10 years, focusing on early childhood, justice, health, and child protection law reform and policy. She is currently Senior Policy Advisor at the Centre for Policy Development.
Susan Dirgham
Susan Dirgham is a retired ESL teacher. She taught at the British Council in Damascus from September 2003 to January 2006. She is editor of the magazine Beloved Syria - Considering Syrian Perspectives. She was the national coordinator of Australians for Reconciliation in Syria.In 2023, Susan co-founded Australians for Reconciliation and Truth Towards Syria (Artts), whose main aims were to lobby the government to lift the sanctions on Syria and to establish ties between Australians and Syrians, particularly in the arts.
Jim McDermott
Jim McDermott is an American writer based in New York with years spent in Australia. He spent many years as an editor at America Magazine.
Guest author James A. Fok
James A. Fok is a veteran financial and strategic adviser to corporations and governments, who served as a senior executive at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing during a decade of rapid internationalisation in Chinas capital markets. He is the author of the book Financial Cold War.
Ann Pavet
Ann Pavett, retired teacher/lecturer of foreign languages. 15 years editor of Neighbours Paper (Ealing,London), a community journal for my locality. Lifelong interest in the peace movement in UK. Moved to Austra;ia in 2012 to be with family..
Mariam Tohamy
Mariam Tohamy is a teacher and member of Teachers and School Staff for Palestine. She is a Palestine solidarity activist. She is writing in a personal capacity.
Guest author Danny Haiphong
Danny Haiphong is an independent journalist and researcher in the United States. He is a contributing editor to the Black Agenda Report, co-editor of Friends of Socialist China and founding member of the No Cold War international campaign.
Miroslav Sandev
Miroslav Sandev is a teacher and member of Teachers and School Staff for Palestine NSW. He has campaigned against anti-Muslim racism and is a Palestine solidarity activist. He is writing in a personal capacity.
Pearls and Irritations guest Mark Kulasingham
Mark Kulasingham grew up in Kuala Lumpur and is a self-confessed Malaysian politics tragic.
Linda Botterill
Linda Botterill Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Jim Falk
Jim Falk is a Professorial Fellow in the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Melbourne and Emeritus Professor at the University of Wollongong.
Darrin Durant
Darrin Durant is Associate Professor in Science and Technology Studies at the University of Melbourne.
