I am a Senior Lecturer at the University of South Australia. I lead architectural research that bridges cultural heritage and sustainable co-design practices with First Nations communities in Australia and Indonesia. I am Director of the Vernacular Knowledge Research Group (VKRG) and in the leadership team with the portfolio of Community Engagement at the Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments (IVE). My work integrates architectural ethnographic field-based research methods with both digital and manual documentation methods. I offer a unique contribution to the field of vernacular studies, focusing on the revitalization of vernacular knowledge systems and their critical role in addressing the climate emergency and co-locating the research in national digital humanities infrastructure platforms such as Time Layered Culture Map [TLCMap] of which I am currently Co-Director.
My emergent field of 'pyro-vernacular studies' collaboratively aligns with First Nations' peoples traditional land management practices of cultural burning with siting vernacular structures. This novel investigation explores the implications for future built environments, particularly as they face threats from global warming and increased fire behaviour co-designing with First Nations' communities. 
My approach to architectural ethnography emphasizes participatory, community-driven methodologies that prioritize local knowledge in the design of sustainable, culturally responsive environments. My research has reshaped disaster recovery and adaptive reuse projects in both Australia and Indonesia, introducing forward-thinking strategies for incorporating cultural heritage into contemporary architectural solutions. The pioneering conceptualization of the 'Aceh Method' and the expansion of VERNADOC methods across Australia and Indonesia stand as groundbreaking initiatives, bringing global recognition to the practice of disaster recovery through culturally sensitive and environmentally sustainable design.