Associate Professor Susan Banki
Susan Banki studies the political, institutional, and social contexts that explain the roots of and solutions to human rights violations and social justice abuses. In particular, she is interested in the ways that questions of sovereignty, transnationalism, and citizenship/membership have shaped our responses to conflict and injustice, particularly examining institutions such as the international refugee regime, diasporas, and the humanitarian system. Susan's focus is in the Asia-Pacific region, where she has conducted extensive field research in Thailand, Myanmar/Burma, Cambodia, Nepal, Bangladesh and Japan on refugee/migrant protection, statelessness and border control. Her current projects include: the work of diasporas in responding to acute crises at home; humanitarian responses to complex displacement contexts; and the role of creative arts in transnational activism.
Her current research and teaching interests include:
• forced displacement and international migration
• refugee resettlement
• transnational social movements
• diaspora activism
• human rights at the United Nations
• humanitarian assistance
Videos: Teaching Social Justice
Teaching Human Rights and Social Justice: Using Simulations in the Classroom
Tactics for Human Rights & Social Justice
Mapping for Human Rights & Social Justice
Conducting Interviews for Human Rights & Social Justice
Media & Communication for Human Rights & Social Justice
See Dr. Banki’s approach to teaching here:
Past Teaching
- GOVT6117 - International Politics of Human Rights
- HRTD6905 - Human Rights Intensive
Current Teaching
- HRTD6903 - Dynamics of Human Rights Violations
- HRTD6916 - Human Rights Simulation
- SCLG1002: Introduction to Sociology
- SCLG2626 - Sociology of Religion
- SLSS3603: Social Justice, Law and Society
Current Research Students
Past Supervision
2020-2022 No Escape and No Consequences: Understanding gender-based violence in the Rohingya Kutupalong-Extension Camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, Dayna Santana (MA)
2019-2022 Feminist Activism in Shrinking Civic Spaces: Movement Building under Strongman Rule in Southeast Asia, Kate Seewald (PhD)
2014-2018 The Trauma Machine: Volunteer Experiences in Australian Immigration Detention Facilities. Michelle Peterie (PhD)
2014-2017 Religion and Resistance in West Papua: The Role of Christianity in the Struggle for Peace with Justice, Marcus Campbell (MA)
2013 Refugees and Geopolitics: Exploring the US and Indian Influences in the Treatment of Bhutanese and Tibetan Refugees in Nepal. Kamal Sigdel (MA)
2012-2013 Israeli Identity and The African 'Other': A Critical Examination of Attitudes Towards African Refugees in Israel. Sarah Copland (MA)
2011-2012 Translation and International Reproductive Rights NGOs: Reluctant to Engage with Cultural Norms? Stephanie Bracken (MA)
- 2012, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Excellence in Teaching Award
- 2013, Vice-Chancellor’s Outstanding Teaching Award (Early Career)
- 2013, Office of Learning and Teaching, Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (national award);
- 2014, Jackie Kirk Outstanding Book Award, for: Banki, S. (2013). Refugee Camp Education: Populations Left Behind. In Lesley Bartlett, Ameena Ghaffar-Kucher (Eds.), Refugees, Immigrants, and Education in the Global South: Lives in Motion, (pp. 133-148). New York, United States: Routledge.
Publications
Books
- Banki, S. (2024). The Ecosystem of Exile Politics: Why Proximity and Precarity Matter for Bhutan's Homeland Activists. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
Book Chapters
- Banki, S., Phillips, N. (2022). Overcoming Overresearch: The MMP approach. In K. Grabska & C. R. Clark-Kazak (Eds.), Documenting Displacement. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press.
- Thomas, M., Iromea, J., Low, R., Rawlings, V., Banki, S. (2022). Teaching and learning at Australian universities in uncertain times. In J. Horne & M. A. M. Thomas (Eds.), Australian Universities: A conversation about public good. Sydney: Sydney University Press.
- Banki, S. (2022). The Co-Construction of the Myanmar Diaspora in Australia. In Louise Olliff, Melissa Phillips (Eds.), Understanding Diaspora Development: Lessons from Australia and the Pacific. Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. [More Information]
Journals
- Banki, S., Adhikari, I. (2024). Aligned and shifting identities in distant diasporas: a multigenerational examination. South Asian Diaspora. [More Information]
- Banki, S. (2024). Bhutan’s Democratic Growing Pains. Current History, 123(852), 147-152. [More Information]
- Banki, S. (2024). Migrant Artists and Migrating Art from Myanmar: Expanding Activism. Journal of Intercultural Studies. [More Information]
Edited Journals
- Banki, S. (2023). Guest editor- Australian Journal of Human Rights. Australian Journal of Human Rights. [More Information]
Conferences
- Valiente-Riedl, E., Anderson, L., Banki, S. (2017). Sit down, teacher! experiential learning & deep reflective practice that cuts both ways'. The Australian Sociological Association Annual Conference, University of Sydney: The University of Sydney.
- Banki, S. (2013). Conduit strategies in refugee contexts and the educational implications for populations left behind. International Studies Association Conference, US.
- Banki, S. (2013). Precarity of Place: a complement to the growing precariat literature (conference proceedings). Power and Justice in the Contemporary World-System Conference, US.
Report
- Banki, S., Phillips, N. (2017). "We Are Not Emergency People": The Voices of Young Women from Myanmar. [More Information]
- Banki, S., Phillips, N. (2014). "We are the victims of the separation": A report on Bhutanese refugees remaining in Nepal. [More Information]
- Banki, S., Lang, H. (2007). "Planning for the Future: The Impact of Resettlement on the Remaining Camp Population," commissioned by the Committee For Coordination of Services to Displaced Persons in Thailand (July 2007). Bangkok.. [More Information]
Other
- Banki, S. (2022), Book Review Review of the book Refuge Beyond Reach, by David Scott FitzGerald..
- Banki, S. (2016), Social Justice Case Studies | Case Study 1 - Peacemakers and Warriors. Sydney: Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching.
- Banki, S., Stubbs, M., Rice, S., Duffill, P., Hartley, L., McGaughey, F., Kerdo, P., Orchard, P., Berg, L. (2016), Social Justice Exercise Manual. Canberra: Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching.
Research Reports
- Banki, S., Rice, S., Hartley, L., McGaughey, F., Kerdo, P., Stubbs, M., Orchard, P., Berg, L., Duffill, P. (2016). Filling the Social Justice Gap: Social Justice Simulations: Final Report 2016, (pp. 5 - 69). Canberra, Australia: Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching.
2024
- Banki, S., Adhikari, I. (2024). Aligned and shifting identities in distant diasporas: a multigenerational examination. South Asian Diaspora. [More Information]
- Banki, S. (2024). Bhutan’s Democratic Growing Pains. Current History, 123(852), 147-152. [More Information]
- Banki, S. (2024). Migrant Artists and Migrating Art from Myanmar: Expanding Activism. Journal of Intercultural Studies. [More Information]
2023
- Banki, S. (2023). Guest editor- Australian Journal of Human Rights. Australian Journal of Human Rights. [More Information]
- Banki, S., Pasha, S. (2023). Refracting Rights from the Margins: Re-shifting, re- scripting, re-inventing. Australian Journal of Human Rights, 29(3), 447-452. [More Information]
- Banki, S. (2023). Refugee Mobilization in the Nepal-India Borderlands: Porosity as Opportunity. Journal of Refugee Studies, online. [More Information]
2022
- Banki, S. (2022), Book Review Review of the book Refuge Beyond Reach, by David Scott FitzGerald..
- Banki, S., Phillips, N. (2022). Overcoming Overresearch: The MMP approach. In K. Grabska & C. R. Clark-Kazak (Eds.), Documenting Displacement. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press.
- Thomas, M., Iromea, J., Low, R., Rawlings, V., Banki, S. (2022). Teaching and learning at Australian universities in uncertain times. In J. Horne & M. A. M. Thomas (Eds.), Australian Universities: A conversation about public good. Sydney: Sydney University Press.
2021
- Banki, S. (2021). Learning alone-a with Corona: two challenges and four principles of tertiary teaching. Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, 14(1), 65-74. [More Information]
- Valiente-Riedl, E., Anderson, L., Banki, S. (2021). Practicing what we teach: Experiential learning in higher education that cuts both ways. The Review of Education, Pedagogy, and Cultural Studies, tba. [More Information]
- Thomas, M., Banki, S. (2021). Toward a framework for assessing the 'global' and 'citizen' in global citizenship education in Australia and beyond. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 42(5), 732-748. [More Information]
2020
- Banki, S. (2020). Myanmar: the country that 'has it all'. Journal of Southeast Asian Human Rights, 4(1), 128-139. [More Information]
2019
- McGaughey, F., Hartley, L., Banki, S., Duffill, P., Stubbs, M., Orchard, P., Rice, S., Berg, L., Kerdo, P. (2019). 'Finally an academic approach that prepares you for the real world': simulations for human rights skills development in higher education. Human Rights Education Review, 2(1), 70-93. [More Information]
- Banki, S., Ghimire, B., Khanal, H. (2019). Displaced but not Disempowered: Bhutanese Refugees and Grassroots Activism. Fletcher Forum of World Affairs, 43(2), 37-56.
- Banki, S., Seng Ing, J. (2019). Precarity and Risk in Myanmar's Media: A Longitudinal Analysis of Natural Disaster Coverage by The Irrawaddy. In Lisa Brooten, Jane Madlyn McElhone, Gayathry Venkiteswaran (Eds.), Myanmar Media in Transition: Legacies, Challenges and Change, (pp. 177-200). Singapore: ISEAS Publishing (Institute of Southeast Asian Studies). [More Information]
2018
- Banki, S., Schonell, R. (2018). Voluntourism and the contract corrective. Third World Quarterly, 39(8), 1475-1490. [More Information]
2017
- Banki, S., Phillips, N. (2017). "We Are Not Emergency People": The Voices of Young Women from Myanmar. [More Information]
- Banki, S., Phillips, N. (2017). Leaving in Droves from the Orange Groves: The Nepali-Bhutanese Refugee Experience and the Diminishing of Dignity. In Edward Sieh, Judy McGregor (Eds.), Human Dignity: Establishing Worth and Seeking Solutions, (pp. 335-352). London: Palgrave Macmillan. [More Information]
- Fozdar, F., Banki, S. (2017). Settling refugees in Australia: achievements and challenges. International Journal of Migration and Border Studies, 3(1), 43-66. [More Information]
2016
- Banki, S., Rice, S., Hartley, L., McGaughey, F., Kerdo, P., Stubbs, M., Orchard, P., Berg, L., Duffill, P. (2016). Filling the Social Justice Gap: Social Justice Simulations: Final Report 2016, (pp. 5 - 69). Canberra, Australia: Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching.
- Banki, S. (2016), Social Justice Case Studies | Case Study 1 - Peacemakers and Warriors. Sydney: Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching.
- Banki, S., Stubbs, M., Rice, S., Duffill, P., Hartley, L., McGaughey, F., Kerdo, P., Orchard, P., Berg, L. (2016), Social Justice Exercise Manual. Canberra: Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching.
2014
- Banki, S., Phillips, N. (2014). "We are the victims of the separation": A report on Bhutanese refugees remaining in Nepal. [More Information]
- Banki, S. (2014). Bhutan: What future for minorities in the emerging democracy? East Asia Forum Quarterly, 6(1), 22-23.
- Banki, S. (2014). Precarity of place: A complement to the growing precariat literature. In Matthew Johnson (Eds.), Precariat: Labour, Work and Politics, (pp. 66-79). London and New York: Routledge.
2013
- Banki, S. (2013). Conduit strategies in refugee contexts and the educational implications for populations left behind. International Studies Association Conference, US.
- Banki, S. (2013). Precarity of Place: a complement to the growing precariat literature. Global Discourse, 3(3-4), 450-463. [More Information]
- Banki, S. (2013). Precarity of Place: a complement to the growing precariat literature (conference proceedings). Power and Justice in the Contemporary World-System Conference, US.
2012
- Banki, S. (2012). A Tale of Two Prime Ministers: Australia's Asylum Seeker 'Solutions'. Oceanic Conference of International Studies, Sydney, Australia: University of Sydney.
- Banki, S. (2012). Refugee Activism and Social Movements: the Transformation of Homeland Politics. International Studies Association Conference 2012, San Diego: International Studies Association.
- Banki, S. (2012). Refugees as Educators: The Potential for Positive Impact on Educational Systems. In Margaret Vickers and Florence McCarthy (Eds.), Refugee and Immigrant Students: Achieving Equity in Education, (pp. 43-64). North Carolina, USA: Information Age Publishing.
2011
- Banki, S., Katz, I. (2011), Resolving Immigration Status, Part 1: Review of the International Literature. (November). Sydney: Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW..
- Banki, S., Katz, I. (2011), Resolving Immigration Status, Part 2: Comparative Case Studies. (November). Sydney: Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW..
2009
- Banki, S. (2009). Contested Regimes, Aid Flows, and Refugee Flows: The Case of Burma. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 28(2), 47-73.
2008
- Banki, S. (2008), Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal: Anticipating the Impact of Resettlement. (June) Sydney: Austcare, Griffith University.
- Banki, S., Lang, H. (2008). Difficult to remain: the impact of mass resettlement. Forced Migration Review (English Edition), April 2008, 42-44.
- Banki, S., Lang, H. (2008). Protracted Displacement on the Thai-Burmese Border: The Interrelated Search for Durable Solutions. In Howard Adelman (Eds.), Protracted Displacement in Asia: No place to call home, (pp. 59-81). hampshire: Ashgate.
2007
- Banki, S., Lang, H. (2007). "Planning for the Future: The Impact of Resettlement on the Remaining Camp Population," commissioned by the Committee For Coordination of Services to Displaced Persons in Thailand (July 2007). Bangkok.. [More Information]
- Banki, S. (2007), Asean Goes Silent on Burma, Again.
- Banki, S. (2007), Protracted Refugee Situations. A State of Limbo.
2006
- Banki, S. (2006). Burmese Refugees in Tokyo: Livelihoods in the Urban Environment. Journal of Refugee Studies, 19(3), 328-344. [More Information]
- Banki, S. (2006). The Triad of Transnationalism, Legal Recognition, and Local Community: Shaping Political Space for the Burmese Refugees in Japan. Refuge: Canada's periodical on refugees, 23(2), 36-46.
2004
- Banki, S. (2004), "Refugee integration in the intermediate term: a study of Nepal, Pakistan, and Kenya," New Issues in Refugee Research, Working Paper No. 108 (Geneva: UNHCR, 2004). [More Information]
Selected Grants
2022
- Places of Refuge amidst Climate Change in Complex Displacement, Opdyke A, Banki S, Sydney Environment Institute/SEIs Collaborative Fellowship
- FASS Research Mentoring Award, Banki S, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences/FASS Research Mentoring Award
2021
- Education exchange and cross-cultural capital in context of COVID-19, Banki S, Yi S, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Federal)/Australia-Korea Foundation
In the media
- Banki, Susan (2024, October 14) ABC opinion piecehttps://www.abc.net.au/religion/susan-banki-king-visit-bhutan-refugees-expulsion-injustices/104468170
- Banki, Susan. (2023, April 20). Guest on The Minefield with Walid Aly and Scott Stephens. “An eye that cannot weep” — What does compassion demand of us?, ABC Radio National.https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/theminefield/ramadan-what-does-compassion-demand-of-us/102173878
- Banki, Susan (2023) Collateral of a forgotten history: Why are 37 pro-democracy activists still languishing in Bhutan’s prisons?https://www.abc.net.au/religion/susan-banki-the-need-to-free-bhutans-political-prisoners/102122506
- Banki, Susan. (2022, June 19). What can Australia do to protect those under threat in Myanmar? Here are four practical suggestions.ABC Religion and Ethics, Retrieved fromhttps://www.abc.net.au/religion/myanmar-refugees-need-protection-how-can-australia-help/13936192
- Banki, Susan (2022) Action on Ukraine exposes Canberra's muted response on Myanmar (March)https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/action-on-ukraine-exposes-canberra-s-muted-response-on-myanmar-20220320-p5a67m.html
- 'Banki, S 2021, 'Bhutanese refugee Cultural Complex: An Outsider-Insider Perspective',The Bhutan Journal, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 73-83.http://www.bhutanwatch.org/bhutanese-refugee-cultural-complex-an-outsider-insiders-perspective/
- Banki, Susan (2020) "Bhutan: Chasing development in the Dragon Kingdom, to the East Asia Forum", East Asia Forum (February),https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2020/02/13/bhutan-chasing-development-in-the-dragon-kingdom/
- Banki, Susan (2014) “Squandering our diplomatic savings,” SBS online (23 January), http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/01/23/comment-squandering-our-diplomatic-savings
- Banki, S. (2013), 'Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi, Cynthia Maung to receive honorary degrees in Sydney', The Sydney Morning Herald, November 7, http://www.smh.com.au/comment/myanmars-aung-san-suu-kyi-cynthia-maung-to-receive-honorary-degrees-in-sydney-20131106-2x1lx.html
- Banki, S (2008), "Can Aid Change Burma?" Far East Economic Review Online Forum, (May 2008).
- Banki, S (2008). "Kilt" New Mandale website is hosted by the Australian National University (ANU) (November 25 2008)https://www.newmandala.org/kilt/
- Banki, S; Abbas, H. (2007). 'The broken promises of military rule'. The Boston Globe, 2007 (November 17).