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Polly Lisa Bennett

(they/them)

Associate Teaching Fellow

Faculty of Arts and Education/School of Education

Orcid identifier0000-0001-6864-9744 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Associate Teaching Fellow
    Faculty of Arts and Education/School of Education
  • Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216

BIO

Dr. Polly Bennett is a sociologist and educator at Deakin University, specialising in practice-based research with a focus on disability inclusion in education. With over 20 years of experience in community-led social research, their work bridges theory and practice to drive social change and centre the voices of marginalised communities.

 

Their research has explored disability advocacy during COVID-19 lockdowns, the workload stress experienced by financial counsellors, and the health access needs of LGBTIQA+ people with disabilities. Polly develops research initiatives that span disciplines and sectors, leading to government policy and funding changes as well as improved local practices.

 

Dr. Bennett also teaches courses in social research, critical thinking, and communication at Deakin University and RMIT and supervises Master of Education and Master of Inclusive Education students. Polly is passionate about mentoring emerging researchers to advance equity and inclusion in education and beyond.

 

Grounded in a commitment to social justice, their work combines research, teaching, and advocacy to create meaningful community impact.

DEAKIN UNIVERSITY CURRENT APPOINTMENT

  • Associate Teaching Fellow
    Deakin University, School of Education

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • Research Fellow
    Deakin University, Education, Geelong, Australia25 Jul 2022 - present
  • Academic
    Deakin University, Education, Geelong, Australia18 Feb 2024 - present
  • Academic
    RMIT University, Social Studies, Melbourne, Australia22 Jul 2024 - 21 Jun 2025
  • Academic
    Deakin University, Education, Geelong, Australia20 Jul 2020 - 12 Sep 2022
  • Research Fellow
    Deakin University, Health and Social Development, Geelong, Australia27 Jul 2020 - 20 Dec 2021
  • Academic
    Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Social Studies, Melbourne, Australia11 Feb 2018 - 19 Jul 2020

NON-ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • Co-Creation Consultant
    The Gordon Institute, Centre of Excellence for Disability Inclusion, Geelong, Australia1 Oct 2024 - present
  • Consultant Researcher and Project Manager
    Polly Bennett Consulting, Clients include: Financial Counselling NSW, Disability Advocacy Network Australia, Financial Counselling Victoria, Youth Support and Advocacy Service., Melbourne, Sydney, Australia6 Mar 2016 - present
  • Business Manager and Editing Assistant
    Australasian Universities Language and Literature Association, Journal of Language, Literature and Culture, Melbourne, Australia1 Jun 2018 - 17 Oct 2020

DEGREES

  • PhD, Critical Sociology
    Victoria University, Australia21 Dec 2020
  • MA, Global Communication
    University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia10 Mar 2008
  • B Soc Sci, Environment & Social Policy
    RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia15 Feb 1999

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Bushfire Attack Level Assessment (BAL)
    The Gordon Institute, Geelong, Australia19 Aug 2024 - present
  • Construction Induction Card
    The Gordon Institute, Geelong, Australia26 Feb 2024 - present
  • Nature Stewards
    Victorian National Parks Association, Geelong, Australia18 Dec 2023 - present

FIELDS OF RESEARCH

  • Sociology
  • Inclusive education
  • Sociological methodology and research methods
  • Critical theory

AREA/FACULTY

  • Faculty of Arts and Education

DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL/INSTITUTE/DISCIPLINE

  • School of Education

AREAS OF EXPERTISE