Dr Alexia Derbas is NIDA’s Head of Equity and Inclusion.
Alexia guides diversity initiatives and advises staff and students on best practices to foster a diverse, welcoming and inclusive environment.
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.