Dr Alexia Derbas is a sociologist with research expertise in racism and anti-racism in the settler-colonial context of Australia. Her research has explored systemic exclusion including Islamophobia, the racialisation of the COVID-19 pandemic, creatives of colour and their experiences of precarious work, and sexual harassment in the workplace. Having worked in arts policy, Alexia is interested in evidence-based approaches to promoting and safeguarding equity and inclusion.   

Alexia was the Research and Policy Manager at Diversity Arts Australia, Australia’s peak body advocating for racial equity in the arts, screen and creative sectors. She has extensive experience advocating for justice and equity to be embedded in workplace practices in the creative industries. She has also worked with the Australian Human Rights Commission on their Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces, and continues to work with the FARE Network in their efforts against discrimination during the FIFA World Cup and other football tournaments.  

Alexia has lectured and taught hundreds of students at Western Sydney University and the University of Technology, Sydney in media and communications, the social sciences and humanities. She has a PhD in Sociology from Western Sydney University, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) from the University of Technology, Sydney. Prior to her research and policy careers, Alexia was a writer and poet.