Dr Sal Clark

Biography

Clark comes from an interdisciplinary background incorporating political theory with sociological methods and has experience in conducting qualitative research with marginalised communities. Clark’s research interests broadly encompass forced migration, human rights, bordering practices and the intersection of ‘race’, and gender and the politics of displacement and exceptionality. Clark attained their doctorate from Swinburne University in 2016. Their PhD, titled ‘Navigating Asylum: Journeys from Indonesia to Australia’ charts the precarious nature of life in transit for Haraza asylum seekers undergoing the UNHCR refugee status determination process and explores the connection between conditions in transit and irregular migration. 

As an interdisciplinary member of Staff, Clark teaches across a number of majors including International Relations, Global Studies and Sociology.

Current units 
International Politics
International Relations & Security Studies
Australian Foreign Policy 
Conflict Resolution 
Sociological Foundations
Identity & Social Change
Global Gender & Sex 

Clark also leads a Cultural Study Tour to Indonesia; this 3 week programme takes undergraduates across a number of locations in west Java and is comprised of a number of social, political and cultural activities designed to challenge students and develop their intercultural competencies. During this time students participate in a number of industry visits, partner with local universities and attend workshops and seminars with a range of NGOs and civil society actors. 

Current grants
Clark is currently part of an interdisciplinary team conducting research ‘Measuring collective impact of sport policy on the Sustainable Development Goals’. This research is funded through a Seed grant in partnership with The Commonwealth Secretariat and UNESCO. 

Current postgraduate supervision 
Jessica Grahame 'Defining ‘Rape Culture’: Using cultural theory to cultivate a nuanced theory of ‘rape culture’, Associate supervisor with Dr Lucy Nicholas & Dr Angela Spinney

Sarah Callahan; ‘Gender, sexuality and young children: investigating the seriality of debates’, Co-supervisor with Dr Lucy Nicholas & Dr Emily Gray