Helping good people do good things, better
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An article I published in the peer-reviewed journal Nonprofit Policy Forum in March 2026. Abstract below. It’s published open access, so anyone can read / download it online here. Abstract: As the dominant economic ideology for almost half a century, neoliberalism has reshaped various aspects of society, including governments and nonprofit organisations. This article explores […] Source
“To name the world as gift is to feel your membership in the web of reciprocity.” p22 “I lament my own immersion in an economy that grinds what is beautiful and unique into dollars, converts gifts to commodities in a currency that enables us to purchase things we don’t really need while destroying the things […] Source
Students sometimes ask me how to do well in a subject. My TL;DR response is “make sure you’re clear about what the assessment expectations are”. I tell everyone this, so it’s not a secret. I’ve also been building a dataset to prove it (because, as an academic, I like to support my vibes with evidence). […] Source
“After all, if you just work hard everyone gets a shot at the middle class, right? Those left behind in a land of opportunity must be deficient or lazy or plain uninterested. But social mobility is not a train you get to board after you’ve scraped together enough for the ticket. You have to build […] Source
“It is not just a matter of more women in politics; it is a chance of transforming the political realm.” (p4). “The importance of feminism is not that it will add its weight to one or other of two sides, but that it’s concerns might change the shape of the discussion” (p13). Anne Phillips, Engendering […] Source
“Heroism is often the seemingly spontaneous result of a lifetime of preparation.” Brandon Sanderson, Tress of the Emerald Sea, p.264 Source
While the responsibility for solving complex social problems ultimately falls on governments, organisations across civil society and industry also play important roles. This includes philanthropic foundations, which often act as a conduit between private capital and a variety of community organisations, including those attempting to address some of the biggest challenges we face. Scrutiny of […]…
“Worry has weight and is an infinitely renewable resource. One might say worries are the only things you can make heavier by thinking about them.” Brandon Sanderson, Tress of the Emerald Sea, p.194. Source
Advance/Facebook Mark Riboldi, University of Technology Sydney Political lobby group Advance has been back in the headlines this week. It was revealed an organisation headed by the husband of the Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, donated A$50,000 to the group. The news prompted outcry, though Segal denied any personal involvement. So what is Advance and what does it do? […]…
