Margaret Becker

Margaret Becker

Indigenous Engagement

Division of Academic and Student Engagement

Research Interests
Margaret is an anthropologist with an interest in gender, critical development, women's empowerment, rights, and social change. She is passionate about rights and social justice. Margaret has extensive experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse groups, particularly in the context of Nepal.

PhD Research
Margaret's PhD thesis, In the name of empowerment': women and development in urban Nepal (2017) can be accessed through the UoA library catalogue (click here). Margaret's thesis provides critical insights into the way in which global development concepts are put to use in culturally-specific contexts and how they are understood and experienced by those participating in ‘empowerment’ programs. This is a significant contribution to the fields of anthropology and development studies and offers important insights for development practice, particularly for programs that seek to ‘empower women’.

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2021 - ongoing Lecturer University of South Australia
    2020 - 2021 Research Fellow Flinders University
    2020 - 2020 Research Assistant University of South Australia
    2019 - 2020 Teaching Specialist Flinders University
    2018 - ongoing Research Assistant University of Adelaide
    2017 - 2020 Honorary Research Fellow University of Adelaide
    2017 - 2017 Research Assistant University of Adelaide
    2014 - 2014 Qualitative Researcher Appleton Institute, Central Queensland University
    2013 - 2018 Sessional teacher University of Adelaide
    2013 - ongoing Standardised Patient University of Adelaide
    2009 - 2009 Research Assistant University of Adelaide
    2007 - 2009 Research Assistant University of Adelaide
    2005 - 2006 Research Assistant University of Adelaide

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2017 Award Academic Mentor of the Year Wirltu Yarlu Aboriginal Education, University of Adelaide Australia
    2015 Award Wang Gungwu Prize for best journal article Asian Studies Review Australia $1500
    2015 Award Trust Fund Bursary Australian Federation of University Women (SA) Australia $3500
    2009 Fellowship DR Stranks Travelling Fellowship University of Adelaide Australia $5000
    2009 Scholarship George Fraser Scholarship University of Adelaide Australia
    2008 Award University Medal University of Adelaide Australia

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    Nepali Can understand spoken

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2017 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    2008 University of Adelaide Australia Honours in Anthropology
    2007 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Arts

2017-2019: Mountford Award, $7958, (Dianne Rodger, Margaret Becker), University of Adelaide

2014-current: Wirltu Yarlu Academic Mentor, University of Adelaide

2019 Teaching Specialist, Critical Perspectives on Global Health and International Development; Social Determinants of Health and Wellbeing. Flinders University

2013-2018: School of Social Sciences, University of Adelaide

2018: Crime, Control and Criminal Justice (Tutor)

2018: Introduction to International Development (Course Coordinator)

2017: Anthropology of Everyday Life; Culture and Society - Foundations in Anthropology (Tutor)

2016: Anthropology of Health and Medicine (Tutor)

2015: Anthropology of Everyday Life; Culture and Society - Foundations in Anthropology (Tutor)

2014: Culture and Society - Foundations in Anthropology; Introduction to Development Studies; Rights and Development (Tutor)

2013: Anthropology of Everyday Life; Rights and Development (Tutor)

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2018 - ongoing Member South Asian Studies Association of Australia Australia
    2018 - ongoing Member Fay Gale Centre for Research on Gender Australia
    2015 - ongoing Member Asian Studies Association of Australia Australia
    2012 - ongoing Member Australian Anthropological Society Australia

  • Consulting/Advisories
    Date Institution Department Organisation Type Country
    2018 - 2019 University of Adelaide Institute for International Trade Instructional and training Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles