ANDREA WALING PHD
About
Current
ARCSHS, La Trobe University
Dr Andrea Waling is a Senior ARC DECRA Research Fellow. She is currently based at the Australian Research in Sex, Health, and Society at La Trobe University.
She undertakes a number of qualitative and mixed-methods research projects focused on LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing, Men and Masculinity, Sex and Sexual Practices, and Sexual and Reproductive Health. Many of these projects engage in community consultations and co-production of knowledge.
At La Trobe Dr Waling is a member of the Academic Board (2020-2022) and leads the Research Impact portfolio at ARCSHS.
Education
Dr Waling began her research and teaching career by undertaking an undergraduate degree in Anthropology, Sociology and Sexuality studies at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario.
In 2010 she moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she undertook a PhD in Sociology at Monash University studying Australian identity and masculinity. During this time she also joined the Zoe Belle Gender Collective as a working group member to support advocacy for the health and wellbeing of Trans and Gender Diverse people. She also worked as a sessional teaching associate and Associate Lecturer at Monash University, teaching into several sociology and gender studies courses.
She is currently completing a Diploma of Counselling at the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC), with Advance Study majors focusing on grief counselling, relationship counselling, and expressive therapies.
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2021 AIPC Upskill - Working with Mental Health
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2015 PhD Sociology, Monash University
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2010 BA Arts Highest Honours, Carleton University
Career
While undertaking her undergraduate studies, Dr Waling worked as a research assistant for the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University, as well as volunteered her time to support LGBTIQA+ advocacy and social justice at Pink Triangle Services (now known as Kind Space).
In 2012 she joined the Zoe Belle Gender Collective (Melbourne, Australia) as a working group member to support advocacy for the health and wellbeing of Trans and Gender Diverse people. She also worked as a sessional teaching associate, research assistant, and Associate Lecturer at Monash University, teaching sociology and gender studies courses. She also co-led a pilot study exploring LGBTIQA+ experiences of lateral violence in higher education.
In 2015 she left Monash University to ARCSHS, La Trobe University. Here she has been leading or working across several projects, teaching into a few of ARCSHS and La Trobe courses, and promoting research impact and research translation initiatives.
Advocacy
Dr Waling's research and research practice are centred around social justice issues to ensure better health and wellbeing outcomes for marginalised communities. Her research contributes to the following causes:
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LGBTIQA+ rights and needs across health and social sectors
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Comprehensive sex and sexual communication education
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Body positivity
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Addressing gendered violence
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Sex positivity, including supporting diverse relationship styles (i.e. ethical non-monogamy) and sexual practices (i.e. kink cultures)
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Supporting young and older people
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Mental health and suicide prevention
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Reproduction, menstruation and infertility disease stigma, concerns, and advocacy
Hobbies
Outside of work, Dr Waling is a classically trained pianist and flautist. She holds music theory, music history, and piano and flute practical qualifications from the Royal Conservatory of Music (North America).
She currently plays flute in the Werribee Concert Band, as well as is studying Irish/Celtic flute and pennywhistle in her spare time.
She also dabbles with painting using acrylics, gouache and watercolours, and enjoys walking her dog, hiking and bushwalking, travelling, and gardening.
She has recently taken up aerial pole and aerial lyra/hoop for health and fitness.