LAURA JADE BUTLER
Social Researcher & Geographer
About Me
I am a social researcher and human geographer living and working on Dharawal land in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. I am currently undertaking my PhD at the University of Wollongong, investigating biosecurity awareness and action regarding invasive plants and peri-urban horticulture in northern Australia. I am due to complete my thesis in 2025.
I am trained in a variety of qualitative and quantitative social research methods, and have almost a decade of experience applying these skills while working with diverse clients and stakeholders in non-profit and education settings.
My research investigates a range of social (especially socio-environmental) issues in Australia. I hold particular interests in weeds and pest animals, more-than-human geographies, innovative qualilitative research methodologies, public policy decision-making, and non-profit (third sector) studies. With my experience conducting and consulting on diverse research projects, I offer several freelance research services, outlined below alongside my current publications and contact information.
Services
Video Summary of Current Research
The video below, which introduces my PhD research, was prepared for my (successful) application to the prestigious ACSPRI Fellowship program. In 2023, I was selected from over 160 applicants to be the inaugural ACSPRI Fellow for 2024-2025. The ACSPRI Fellowship program aims to help PhD students in the social sciences to achieve their career goals by providing direct financial support and professional development opportunities. Click below to view the video and hear more about my research.
Recent Publications
Book review
Atchison, J, Arnold, C & Butler, L 2024, ‘Plants Matter: Exploring the Becomings of Plants and People: Luci Attala and Louise Steel, eds. Cardiff, UK: Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru, University of Wales Press, 2023. 224 pp. £60.00 cloth (ISBN 9781837720484); £60.00 PDF (ISBN 9781837720491); £60.00 electronic (ISBN 9781837720507)’, The AAG Review of Books, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 33–36
Journal article
Butler, L, Lawton, A. and Kalali, P 2023 ‘Supporting survivors of institutional child sexual abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study of not-for-profit community and legal organisations in Greater Western Sydney', Australian Journal of Social Issues, vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 926-941.
Report
Butler, L 2023 ‘The Indigenous Population of Greater Western Sydney’, WESTIR Ltd, Census Paper, available at https://www.westir.org.au/census/the-indigenous-population-of-greater-western-sydney-november-2022/
