Most recently I have investigated the ways that ethnic identities are constructed and performed within the changing global context of Melbournes housing markets.
Research Interests
My research interests are diverse and cover a range of social, urban and cultural issues. Most recently I have investigated the ways that ethnic identities are constructed and performed within the changing global context of Melbourne's housing markets. This work aims to contribute to knowledges of urban development, citizenship, transnationalism and ethnic identity. Other research I have undertaken includes representations of sexual difference in geographical understandings of the socio-spatial world. This research questioned the silencing of women and homosexual identities in contemporary knowledges. I have also conducted research on women and political activism focussing on resident action groups in Sydney and research projects investigating groups at the economic and social margins, including young homeless women and single parents.
Subjects
- GES2490 Applied Geography and Field Studies The unit emphasises the development of field research skills and interpretation.
- GES3420 Research Methods ion Human Geography This unit develops your skills as a human geographer by working with a range of different data types, from large scale world development data, to the complex stories people tell about their own places and place histories.
- GES2760/3760 Place and the Politics of Identity This unit focuses on the role that identity plays in geographical meanings of place, space and territory.
Education
- 1999 PhD Geography & Environmental Science Monash University
- 1991 B.A (Hons) Department of Geography University of Newcastle
- 1990 B.A University of Wollongong
Teaching and Research Experience
- 2002 Lecturer Geography & Environmental Science Monash University
- 1999 Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Faculty of Architecture Building and Planning, University of Melbourne
- 1995 Tutor Department of Geography & Environmental Science Monash University
- 1994 Lecturer Department of Policy, Planning & Landscape RMIT University
- 1992 Teaching Fellow Department of Geography University of Wollongong
- 1992 Research Assistant Department of Geography University of Newcastle
- 1990 Research Assistant Department of Geography University of Wollongong
- 1990 Tutor Department of Geography University of Wollongong
Research Grants
- 2002 Integrated Transport Policy (with Dr. Paul Mees) City Of Port Phillip
- 2000 Consultancy (Victorian Activity Centre Policy)Department of Infrastructure Victorian State Government $75,000
- 1999 Building on Ethnicity Project (with Prof. Ruth Fincher) Australian Research Council Large Grant $184,000
- 1995 Economic Restructuring and Social Polarisation Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute $5,000
Publications
- Costello L, Fincher R, Moye R (2001) Narratives of Ethnicity in the Development of a High-Rise Housing Presence, Journal of Social and Cultural Geography, (forthcoming).
- Costello L (2001) Performing masculinity: women and sexual harassment in the military, Australian Feminist Studies , (forthcoming).
- Fincher R & Costello L, (2000), Housing Ethnicity: Student Housing as a Site of Multicultural Negotiation, Approaching Transnationalism: Transnational Societies, Multicultural Contacts, and Imaginings of Home, Brenda Yeoh, Tong Chee Kiong, and Michael Walter Charney (Editors), In press
- Costello L.N & Hodge S, (1999), Queer/clear/here: Destabilising Sexualities and Spaces, Australian Cultural Geographies, E. Stratford (ed), Meridian, Sydney.
- Costello L.N (1996), Contesting Images of Fitzroy: Who's on the Margins?,Restructuring Difference: Social Polarisation and the City, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Working Paper No.6, Melbourne.
- Winchester H.P.M. & Costello L.N. (1995), Homeless Youth: A Culture of Survival, Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, Vol. 13: 329-348.
- Costello L.N & Dunn K.M (1994), Resident Action Groups: People Power or Rat-bags?, Australian Geographer, Vol. 25, No.1: 61-76.
- Davis N.J & Costello L.N (1992), Victims or Offenders: Homeless Female Youth, POLEMIC, Vol.3, No.2: 117-119.
Professional Experience
- 1998 Research Officer Department of Infrastructure Victorian Government
- 1997 Research Officer National Ageing Research Institute University of Melbourne
