Personal information

Biography

Background: Erin has a PhD in Political Science from the University of Queensland, a MA in Social Policy from the University of Durham, UK, and a BA (Honours) in International Relations from the University of Queensland, Australia. Prior to entering academia, Erin worked in strategic communications in the government and not-for-profit sectors in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Recent Research: Erin’s research examines the interplay between activists and the state in the construction of knowledge and formation of policy. She studies the influence of interest groups on policy, and the role of civil society in mobilising market-based protest and lobbying including ethical consumption and shareholder activism.

Erin is the author of Challenging the Human Trafficking Narrative: Victims, Villains, and Heroes (Routledge 2018), lead author of The Politics of Sex Trafficking: A Moral Geography (Palgrave Macmillan 2013) and co-editor of Crime, Justice and Social Democracy: international perspectives (Palgrave Macmillan 2012).

Research interests:
- critical policy and policy advocacy
- tactics and influence of political interest groups
- market-based lobbying (ethical consumerism and shareholder activism)
- modern slavery, human trafficking, and labour exploitation
- political narratives in policy discourse

Activities

Employment (3)

Queensland University of Technology: Brisbane, Queensland, AU

Employment
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Queensland University of Technology PURE

Griffith University: Brisbane, AU

Employment
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Griffith University

Queensland University of Technology: Brisbane, AU

2010-01 to present | Associate Professor (School of Justice, Faculty of Law)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Erin O'Brien

Education and qualifications (4)

University of Queensland: Brisbane, Queensland, AU

2007-01-01 to 2010-11-15 | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (School of Political Science and International Studies)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Erin O'Brien

Durham University: Durham, GB

2004-10-20 to 2007-01-11 | Master of Arts in Social Research Methods (Social Policy) (School of Applied Social Sciences)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Erin O'Brien

University of Queensland: Brisbane, QLD, AU

2002-02-28 to 2002-11-30 | Bachelor of Arts Honours in International Relations (School of Political Science and International Studies)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Erin O'Brien

University of Queensland: Brisbane, QLD, AU

1999-02-28 to 2001-11-30 | Bachelor of Arts with Majors in Political Science and International Relations (School of Political Science and International Studies)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Erin O'Brien

Professional activities (3)

Law and Society Association: Salt Lake City, Utah, US

Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Erin O'Brien

Australian Sociological Association: Hawthorn, VIC, AU

Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Erin O'Brien

Australian Political Science Association: Sydney, AU

Membership
Source: Self-asserted source
Erin O'Brien

Funding (2)

Australian civil society combating modern slavery through ethical consumerism

2021-04 to 2024-05 | Award
Australian Research Council (ACT, ACT, AU)
GRANT_NUMBER:

DE210100735

Source: Self-asserted source
Erin O'Brien

Strategies for improving labour conditions within the Australian cotton value chain

2019-07 to 2022-07 | Grant
Cotton Research and Development Corporation (NSW, NSW, AU)
GRANT_NUMBER:

1819FRP051

Source: Self-asserted source
Erin O'Brien

Peer review (1 review for 1 publication/grant)

Review activity for Interest groups & advocacy. (1)