Dr. Penelope Bergen

Biography

I am a lecturer and researcher at UNSW Canberra School of Business, specializing in applied sociology with a focus on workplace cultures in isolated, confined, extreme environments. My research examines how values, governance, and social dynamics shape behavior in high-risk settings. I have a broad and varied background, with extensive experience in broadcasting classical music, print media, health policy, and government advisory roles, alongside lecturing on strategy, leadership, and management. I contribute to interdisciplinary projects in elite sports, classical music, non-clinical respite care, and consumer healthcare, applying sociological insights to complex operational challenges. Currently, I am part of a cross-disciplinary team utilizing multimodal data analysis to enhance decision-making in aviation, while exploring the intersection of science and sociology in rapidly changing environments. My interests also include modern systems of human resource governance and leadership, particularly in remote communities affected by climate change. I have extensive experience as an academic journal editor and peer reviewer. My PhD focused on the development of workplace culture among non-Indigenous workers in remote Aboriginal communities in Central Australia, highlighting how government policy and workplace cultures affect community outcomes.

Research Interests

Experience