Dr Oliver Villar

Oliver was born in Mendoza, Argentina and has lived in Sydney for most of his life. In 2008 he completed his PhD on the political economy of contemporary Columbia in the context of the cocaine drug trade at the University of Western Sydney (UWS), offering a radical critique of the ‘war on drugs’, the ‘war on terrorism’ and the global drug trade. Ten years of research culminated in his and Drew Cottle's 2011 book, 'Cocaine, Death Squads and the War on Terror: US Imperialism and Class Struggle in Colombia', published in the prestigious Monthly Review (Albert Einstein wrote its first lead article, 'Why Socialism?', in 1949). 'Cocaine, Death Squads and the War on Terror' details the complex nature of Colombian society and fostered recognition that the drug trade was a driver in global politics, and of the US's foreign policy with respect to drug-producing zones. 'Cocaine, Death Squads and the War on Terror' has impacted politics, culture and society, bringing the link between the global drug trade and the legitimate global economy to light. Following the book's release, it has been used by experts, journalists and community groups to critique the financial system, the war on drugs, the war on terror and US policy towards Colombia

Oliver has been a lecturer since 2002, teaching politics, history, and sociology on a range of humanities and social science undergraduate programs at UWS, Macquarie University and Charles Sturt University (CSU). His published scholarly work focuses on international relations concerns, such as the exploitation of labour and natural resources for profit, security and conflict between the Global North and Global South, and the socio-political and environmental impacts of global capitalism.

At CSU, Oliver's academic interests continue to revolve around the vast and dynamic reservoir of political economy and the study of class analysis and class relations. This abiding interest extends across critical security studies, American foreign policy, and contemporary imperialism. His current research project investigates the subject of growing great power rivalries of the twenty-first century, with special attention on the globalisation of production and its shift to low-wage countries – particularly China – and US efforts to maintain its position as the leading hegemonic power in the Americas and in the world.

Current Subject Offering

• POL111 International Relations
• POL213 Australian Political Institutions
• POL305 Power, Politics and Propaganda in the Media
• HST301 International History From 1945
• HST308 Australia and Asia
• SOC101 Introductory Sociology
• SPE211 Foundations in Social Policy

Supervision

• Current PhD co-supervisor for Mukesh Chander History/Politics student, Charles Sturt University, thesis topic: Australian citizenship and national identity in the context of terror warnings.
• Current PhD co-supervisor for Jennifer O'Dempsey History/Politics student, Charles Sturt University, thesis topic: An evaluation of women's social roles, and representations of women in the Brisbane social protests (1967-1982).
• PhD co-supervisor, Jennifer Watkins, History/Politics student, Charles Sturt University, thesis topic: Rural Rites: Women's Experience of Funerals and Remembrance on Lower Eyre Peninsula in the post 1960s era. 2020. Thesis completed.
• Honours supervisor, Alexander Crampton, History/Politics student, Charles Sturt University, thesis topic: The political economy of the video games industry. 2020. Thesis completed with High Distinction.
• Honours supervisor for Peter Hanes History/Politics student, Charles Sturt University, thesis topic: The Politics of Adam Smith in Local Government Procurement. 2019. Thesis completed.
• Masters external supervisor, Paul Antonopoulos, Politics student, University of Western Sydney, thesis topic: Origins of the Syrian Conflict, 2016. Thesis published as a book (2017),https://www.amazon.com/Syria-Hegemonic-Flashpoint-between-Arabia/dp/9386457091
• Honours supervisor for Jordan McSwiney History/Politics student, Charles Sturt University, thesis topic: The Far-Right in Australia. 2016. Thesis completed with High Distinction, see also http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/b629ee_f057ce2a6a1b45dfa9ad173977ca17bb.pdf
• Honours co-supervisor for Claudio Dionigi History/Politics student, Charles Sturt University, thesis topic: The works and influence of Karl Polanyi. 2015. Thesis completed with High Distinction.
• Interdisciplinary Honours thesis co-supervisor for Marina Clayton, Criminal Justice student, Charles Sturt University, Thesis topic: Why are drugs still coming into Australia? 2013. Thesis completed with High Distinction.

Current and Abiding Research Interests

• Global rivalries of the twenty-first century: the US, China, and Russia in the Americas and the world; contemporary imperialism, inter-imperial rivalry, and resistance.
• Critical security studies: international security and great powers; economic and resource security; territorial conflicts and cross-border security; grand strategy; intra-state conflicts, insurgencies and guerrilla movements.
• American foreign policy: counterinsurgency and counterterrorism strategy; state violence; civil wars and proxy wars.
• International political economy: capitalism, corporatism, neoliberalism, globalisation, class analysis and class relations between and within the First World and Third World (or Global North and Global South), and the West and East.

Research Impact Samples

• McQueen, H. ‘”Monopolising Addictions,’ Workers Bush Telegraph, 14 October, 2019, https://workersbushtelegraph.com.au/2019/10/22/monopolising-addictions/
• Esquivel-Suarez, F. "The Global War on Drugs," Global South Studies: A Collective Publication with the Global South, 23 August, 2018, https://globalsouthstudies.as.virginia.edu/articles/pdf/491
• Kilic, E. "Kolombiya’da uyusturucu kartelleri ve ABD dis politikasi" (Colombian drug cartels and US foreign policy in Netflix), Evrensel (Turkey), 21 February, 2018,
  https://www.evrensel.net/haber/346016/kolombiyada-uyusturucu-kartelleri-ve-abd-dis-politikasi
• Fernandez, B. “US continues trafficking in deceit with Hezbollah ‘narcoterrorism’ unit,” Middle East Eye, 1 February, 2018, http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/us-continues-trafficking-deceit-hezbollah-narcoterrorism-unit-501934394
• Stone, H. "Colombia Elites and Organized Crime: Introduction," Insight Crime, 9 August, 2016,http://www.insightcrime.org/investigations/colombia-elites-and-organized-crime-introduction
• Mendez, D. "NARCOS and Why It's Not 'Magical Realism'," Latino Rebels, 30 April, 2016, https://www.latinorebels.com/2016/04/30/narcos-and-why-its-not-magical-realism/
• Wickenden, S. T. "Empire and the History of Drugs: A Marxist Review," Global Research: Centre for Research on Globalization, 3 January, 2015, http://www.globalresearch.ca/empire-and-the-history-of-the-drug-trade/5459675
• Fernandez, B. "The Real Danger of Uruguay's Pot Legalization," Al Jazeera America, 6 January, 2014, http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2014/1/the-real-danger-ofdrugdecriminalization.html
• Redmond, H. "The Political Economy of Mexico's Drug War," International Socialist Review, July, 2013, http://isreview.org/issue/90/political-economy-mexicos-drug-war
• Burghardt, T. "Paraguay: Towards a New Narco-State in Latin America," Global Research: Centre for Research on Globalization, 29 April, 2013, http://www.globalresearch.ca/paraguay-towards-a-new-narco-state-in-latin-america/5333266
• Pimentel, M. "Plan Colombia and Beyond," Dissident Voice, 21 April, 2015,http://dissidentvoice.org/2015/04/plan-colombia-and-beyond/
• Burghardt, T. "Fraud, Money Laundering and Narcotics. Impunity of the Banking Giants. No Prosecution of HSBC," Global Research: Centre for Research on Globalization, 31 December, 2012, http://www.globalresearch.ca/fraud-money-laundering-and-narcotics-impunity-of-the-banking-giants-no-prosecution-of-hsbc/5317406
• MacDermott, G. "Open Your Eyes – Geoffrey MacDermott," See See Eye, 8 October, 2012,http://seeseeeye.csu.edu.au/open-your-eyes-geoffrey-macdermott/
• Scott, P. D. "Why Americans must end America's self-generating wars," The Asia-Pacific Journal, Vol. 10, Issue 36, No. 2, August 28, 2012, http://apjjf.org/2012/10/36/Peter-Dale-Scott/3819/article.html
• Fernandez, B. "A Counterplea for Retracted U.S. Military Engagement," The Diplomat, 12 July, 2012, http://thediplomat.com/flashpoints-blog/2012/07/12/a-counterplea-for-retracted-u-s-military-engagement/#more-2792
• Peláez, V. "Alvaro Uribe desesperado por reconquistar el poder en Colombia," Agencia de Información Internacional de Rusia (RIA) Novosti, 1 June, 2012, http://sp.ria.ru/opinion_analysis/20120601/153921987.html
• Burghardt, T. "Upping Tech. in Mexico's Escalating Civil War," Pacific Free Press, 13 May, 2012, http://www.pacificfreepress.com/2012/05/13/opinion/upping-tech-in-mexicos-escalating-civil-war.html
• Kovalik, D. "Slaughter in Colombia: Wikileaks Cables Reveal Killing Hits Record Levels," Counterpunch, 23 February, 2012, http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/02/23/slaughter-in-colombia/

Books

• "Foreword" in Antonopoulos, P and Cottle, D 2017 Syria: The Hegemonic Flashpoint Between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Vij Books, New Delhi, http://www.vijbooks.com/BookDetails/684/Syria-The-Hegemonic-Flashpoint-between-Iran-and-Saudi-Arabia?
• Villar, O and Cottle, D. 2011 Cocaine, Death Squads, and the War on Terror: U.S. Imperialism and Class Struggle in Colombia. Monthly Review, NewYork, https://monthlyreview.org/product/cocaine_death_squads_and_the_war_on_terror/

Book Reviews in Media

• Graves, G. "Consolidating the narco-economy," International Socialist Review, June 27, 2013, https://isreview.org/issue/90/consolidating-narco-economy
• Hart, E. "Cocaine, Death Squads and the War on Terror," Sounds and Colours, 26 November, 2012, https://soundsandcolours.com/articles/colombia/cocaine-death-squads-and-the-war-on-terror-17000/
• Sandronsky, S. "Cocaine, Death Squads, and the War on Terror: U.S. Imperialism and Class Struggle in Colombia ", Z-Magazine, October, 2012, https://zcomm.org/zmagazine/books-by-villar-and-cottle-connie-rice-and-chomsky-and-pappe-by-various-reviewers/
• Richards, O. "Colombia's drug-fuelled war of terror exposed," Green Left Weekly, 16 August, 2012, http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/51803
• Fernandez, B. "Cocaine, Death Squads, and the War on Terror: U.S. Imperialism and Class Struggle in Colombia," Jacobin, 30 May, 2012, https://www.jacobinmag.com/2012/05/cocaine-death-squads-and-the-war-on-terror/
• Kovalik, D. "The War for Drugs and of Terror in Colombia," The Huffington Post, 16 February, 2012, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-kovalik/us-war-colombia-drugs_b_1279321.html

Book Chapters

• Villar, O. and Cottle D. 2020 FARC in Colombia: 21st Century US Imperialism and Class Warfare, 2^nd Edition. In Ness, I. and Cope, Z. (eds.). The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Imperialism and Anti-imperialism. Palgrave Macmillan, New York.
• Villar, O. and Cottle D. 2015 FARC in Colombia: 21st Century US Imperialism and Class Warfare, 1^st Edition. In Ness, I. and Cope, Z. (eds.). The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Imperialism and Anti-imperialism. Palgrave Macmillan, New York.
• Villar, O. 2012 Untouchable Compradores? Colombian State Narco-Terrorism and the People's Struggle for National Liberation. In Poynting, S. and Whyte, D. (eds.). Counter-Terrorism and State Political Violence: The 'War on Terror' as Terror. Routledge, New York.

Journal Articles

• Villar, O. 2020 A pandemic in an era of U.S.-China rivalry and neoliberalism. Independent Australia. May 10, (Brisbane) 1-6.
• Antonopoulos, P; Villar, O; Cottle, D; Ahmed, A 2017 Somalia: Turkey's Pivot to Africa in the Context of Growing Inter-imperialist Rivalries. The Journal of Comparative Politics. July, (Ljubljana) 1-35.
• Villar, O. and Cottle, D. 2013 One-Hundred Years of Solitude or Solidarity? Colombia's Forgotten Revolution. A Contracorriente: Journal on Social History and Literature in Latin America. Vol. 10, No. 2 (North Carolina) 167-202.
• Villar, O. and Cottle, D. 2011 From La Violencia to the War on Terror: A Re-examination of Colombia's FARC-EP Inside Bolivar's 'Gran Colombia'. Links: International Journal of Socialist Renewal. November, (Sydney) 1-33.
• Villar, O. 2009 Inside the Crystal Triangle: The US 'War on Narcoterrorism' in Colombia. International Review of Business Research. Vol. 5, No. 4 (Melbourne) 1-10.
• Villar, O. 2007 US Narcocolonialism? Colombian Cocaine and Twenty-First Century Imperialism. Research in Political Economy. Vol. 24, Spring, (New York) 97-128.

Conference Papers

• "On the matter of 21^st century imperialism in Latin America," paper presented at the Fourth Annual Historical Materialism Australasia conference, Sydney University, 17-18 July, 2015.
• "US imperialism?" paper presented at the Third Annual Historical Materialism Australasia conference, Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts, 5-6 September, 2014.
• "The Black Hole, Colombia and the Class War," paper presented at the Violence Studies Conference 2012, University of Newcastle, August 23, 2012.
• "FARC-EP: La Insurgencia Del Siglo XXI," paper presented at the Association of Iberian & Latin American Studies of Australasia (AILASA) Conference. The Australian National University, Canberra, July 7-9, 2010, http://politicsir.cass.anu.edu.au/centres/australian-national-centre-for-latin-american-studies/content/Independence-audio-recordings
• Cottle, D; Villar, O; Keys, A. 2009 The Global Financial Crisis: System Failure, Great Power Rivalry and Prospects for Structural Change. The Australasian Political Studies Association (APSA) Annual Conference.Macquarie University, Sydney, 28-30 September.
• Villar, O and Cottle, D. 2009 'Great Disorder Under Heaven': The Global Crisis of Capital, Great Power Rivalry and Prospects for Structural Change. International Gramsci Society. Political Economy Conference - Capital in Crisis: Implications for Labour and Society. University of Wollongong, Wollongong, 9-10 July.
• "Colombia, a political economy of drugs," paper presented at the Latin American Studies Council of Asia and Oceania (CELAO) I Conference – La Trobe University, Melbourne, July 14–16, 2005.
• Villar, O; Cottle, D; Keys, A. 2003 The Kill for Drugs Policy? Ecocide in Rural Colombia. Greening Sustainability - XIV Ecopolitics Conference of the Ecopolitics Association of Australasia. RMIT University, Melbourne, 27-29 November.
• Cottle, D; Keys, A; Villar, O. 2003 Beyond Sustainability? Ecocide in South Australia's Desert Landscapes. Greening Sustainability - XIV Ecopolitics Conference of the Ecopolitics Association of Australasia.RMIT University, Melbourne, 27-29 November.
• "Rumble in the Jungle: FARC vs US imperialism," paper presented at the War, Society and Culture Conference – University of Newcastle, Newcastle, September 29–October 1, 2002.

Australian and International Media

International Media

• “Jungle War” (2020), television documentary series, episode four ‘Colombia,’ WildBear Entertainment, http://www.wildbear.tv (first broadcast in Australia on ANZAC day on the History channel. Foxtel will re-air the series throughout the year).
• “On Brink of a Stable Peace, Colombia Faces Familiar US-Backed Right-Wing Elements Seeking to Subvert It," (interview) Mint Press News, 22 March, 2018, https://www.mintpressnews.com/on-brink-of-a-stable-peace-colombia-faces-us-backed-right-wing-element-forces-seeking-to-subvert-it/239389/
• Radio interview, "Oliver Villar on the Colombian holocaust," The Kevin Barrett Show, (The United States), May 4, 2016, http://noliesradio.org/archives/113857
• "In Whose Hands is Colombia's Future?", Telesur, 18 April, 2016, https://www.telesurenglish.net/opinion/In-Whose-Hands-Is-Colombias-Future-20160417-0033.html
• Radio interview on book, Traces of Reality Radio Show, (The United States), September 9, 2013, https://www.newsbud.com/2013/09/09/de-manufacturing-consent-drugs-terror-u-s-imperialism-in-latin-america/
• Ospina, Hernando C. "An Interview With FARC Founder, Miguel Angel Pascuas," 4 December, 2012, http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/12/04/an-interview-with-farc-founder-miguel-angel-pascuas/(my translation).
• Radio interview on Colombian peace negotiations, Latin Waves, CJSF 90.1 FM, (Canada), December 1, 2012.
• Ospina, Hernando C. "Marulanda's widow remembers the struggle and her life alongside the guerrillero," 24 November, 2012, http://hernandocs.free.fr/spip.php_article423.html (my translation).
• Television interview on shifting drug trade to Central America, Press TV, (Latin America), November 16, 2012.
• Radio interview on book 'Cocaine, Death Squads and the War on Terror: U.S. Imperialism and Class Struggle in Colombia,' Latin Waves, CJSF 90.1 FM, (Canada), October 7, 2012.
• Schall, L. "Under the Mask of the War on Drugs," (interview) Asia Times Online, 8 September, 2012, https://www.larsschall.com/2012/08/30/under-the-mask-of-the-war-on-drugs/
• Radio interview on book, The Kevin Barrett Show, (The United States), July 31, 2012, https://noliesradio.org/archives/48380
• Radio interview on book, The Expert Witness Radio Show (The United States), April 10, 2012, http://www.expertwitnessradio.org/site/cocaine-death-squads-and-the-war-on-terror/
• Radio interview on book, KPFA 94.1 Berkeley, Letters & Politics Show (The United States),April 9, 2012, https://kpfa.org/?s=oliver+villar
• Radio interview on book, Café Stereo en Español (broadcast across Europe and Latin America), April 6, 2012, http://www.radiocafestereo.nu/index.php/component/content/article/38-business/257-los-asesinos-de-raul-reyes-los-rostros-de-los-criminales-de-guerra.html

Australian Media

• “A pandemic in the era of Great Power rivalry and neoliberalism,” Openforum.com.au, May 4, 2020, https://www.openforum.com.au/a-pandemic-in-the-era-of-great-power-rivalry-and-neoliberalism/
• "Big Questions: Is social media killing democracy?" (interview) Insight, 4 October, 2018, https://insight.study.csu.edu.au/big-questions-is-social-media-killing-democracy/
• “China angered by Australian government,” The Land, December 13, 2017, http://www.theland.com.au/story/5113997/china-angered-by-australian-government/?cs=4951
• Radio interview on leadership challenge, Abbott-Turnbull, ABC Radio 2CR,Orange/Central West region, September 14, 2015.
• Chile – ‘the other September 11,’ CSU News, September 13, 2013, https://news.csu.edu.au/latest-news/international/chile-the-other-september-11
• Radio interview on Federal Election, 3KND Kool and Deadly 1503AM – Melbourne, September 12, 2013.
• "Margaret Thatcher and her controversial legacy," Openforum.com.au, 18 April, 2013, http://www.openforum.com.au/margaret-thatcher-and-her-controversial-legacy/
• Radio interview on death of President Hugo Chavez, 3KND Kool and Deadly 1503AM – Melbourne, April 17, 2013.
• Newspaper interview, 'Drug debate has been demonised,' The Daily Liberal, March 14, 2013, https://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/1362415/drug-debate-has-been-demonised/
• 'Renewed fighting threatens Colombia peace talks,' World News Australia Radio (SBS), February 26, 2013, http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/02/26/renewed-fighting-threatens-colombia-peace-talks
• 'Decriminalising drugs good sense, CSU academic,' Prime News Television, September 17, 2012.
• Radio interview on decriminalisation of drugs, 2BS Gold Radio, September 14, 2012.
• Radio interview on Colombian peace talks, ABC National Radio: PM Program, September 5, 2012, http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2012/s3583722.htm
• A new record of terror, CSU News, March 12, 2012, https://news.csu.edu.au/latest-news/society/a-new-record-of-terror
• Newspaper interview, 'Jail not the solution,' The Daily Liberal, May 23, 2012, https://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/94869/jail-not-the-solution/
• Radio interview on major cocaine bust at Bundaberg marina, ABC National Radio: PM Program, November 14, 2011, http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2011/s3364597.htm
• Radio interview on Libya, Obama, and the Middle East, 3KND Kool and Deadly 1503AM – Melbourne, May 26, 2011, http://news.csu.edu.au/latest-news/international/csu-academic-cautions-as-us-nato-coalition-attacks-libya/_nocache?SQ_DESIGN_NAME=print
• Radio interview on US-Latin American relations under Obama, 3KND Kool and Deadly 1503AM – Melbourne, May 17, 2011.
• Television interview, 'CSU lecturer warns of bin Laden death,' WIN News, May 5, 2011, also in Prime News Television, May 5, 2011, http://news.csu.edu.au/latest-news/international/opportunity-lost-for-closure-in-the-war-on-terror
• Newspaper interview, 'Unbutton cloak of secrecy,' The Daily Liberal, May 4, 2011, https://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/870390/unbutton-cloak-of-secrecy/
• Radio interview on War on Terror after bin Laden, 3KND Kool and Deadly 1503AM – Melbourne, May 5, 2011.
• Television interview on NSW State Election, Prime News Television, March 21, 2011.
• Radio interview on uprisings in Middle East and North Africa, ABC Radio 2CR, Orange/Central West region, February 25, 2011, http://news.csu.edu.au/latest-news/international/the-egyptian-revolution-a-struggle-worth-fighting-for/_nocache?SQ_DESIGN_NAME=print
• Television interview on new minority government, Prime News Television, September 8, 2010.
• Television interview on 2010 Federal Election, Prime News Television, August 23, 2010.
• Television interview on upcoming election, Prime News Television, July 19, 2010.
• Television interview on new PM and ALP leader Julia Gillard, Prime News Television, June 25, 2010.
• Newspaper interview, 'It was always on the cards, says academic,' The Western Advocate, June 25, 2010.
• Newspaper interview, 'Dirt files just reality of the political world, experts say.' The Daily Liberal, February 25, 2010.
• Newspaper interview, 'Union Jack's position may have expiry date.' The Daily Liberal, January 16, 2010.

Memberships

• Institute for Land, Water and Society, CSU
• Latin America Social Forum, Sydney, Australia
• Latin American House Inc. Melbourne, Australia

Awards

• ERA discipline expert, Charles Sturt University’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2018

Selected Talks and Guest Lectures

• Expert forum participant, "Imperialism, Globalisation and the Challenges of 2017", Federation of Italian Migrant Workers and Their Families, Granville Public Library, July 8, 2017.
• Guest speaker, "The left in crisis?: problems of strategy and ideology in the age of 21st century imperialism", Latin American House Inc. Sydney Australia, October 29, 2016. (presented in Spanish).
• Expert panel participant, "Voting yes or no to peace: Implications for upcoming Plebiscite on ending the Colombian civil war," United for Colombia, Sydney, September 24, 2016.
• "In Whose Hands is Colombia's Future?" Guest speaker, "Colombia" Prospects and challenges in the context of the Peace Process," Latin America Social Forum/United for Colombia, Sydney, April 9, 2016.
• Invitation as expert to "Colombia: inside out," Debate hosted by LATITUDES / Latin American Research Group Australia, University of New South Wales (UNSW), August 8, 2014.
• Talk on the current situation in Colombia and neighbouring countries – Guest   speaker for postgraduate students, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), May 31, 2014.
• Talk on "Analysis of the Situation of Colombian Farmers" – Guest speaker for United for Colombia committee, Newtown community centre, November 30, 2013.
• Guest lecture on the Latin American drug trade, Centre for Transnational Crime Prevention, University of Wollongong, August 24, 2012.
• "The Great Struggle in Latin America," guest speaker, Latin America Social Forum (LASF) Conference, Sydney, August 18-19, 2012.
• "Critiques of international political economy," Chair for the Annual Historical Materialism Australasia conference, Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts, 20-21 July, 2012.
• Talk on Colombia for International Solidarity Conference for Latin America, Trades Hall, Melbourne, August 28–29, 2009.
• Talk on US counterinsurgency operations in Central and South America since the Cold War – Guest speaker for Committee for Human Rights in Guatemala, January 24, 2009.
• Talk on "Parapolitica" scandal and International Criminal Court investigation (ICC) of the Colombian government of Alvaro Uribe Velez – Guest speaker for Peace and Justice for Colombia (PJFC),Sydney, November 29, 2008.
• Talk on Colombian conflict for Latin America Conference, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), October 10, 2006.
• Guest lecture on US Policy Towards Colombia, University of Western Sydney (UWS), September 3, 2004.

Other Professional Activities

• Reviewer, academic journal Social Sciences, “The Rise of Fascist Formations in Chile and in the World,” November 30, 2020.
• ERA discipline expert, Charles Sturt University’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2018.
• Reviewer, PhD examiners reports meeting, Charles Sturt University, April 9, 2018. Thesis topic: Exploring the Limit to Neutrality in Political Liberalism, Paul Griffiths.
• Reviewer, PhD Candidature confirmation, Charles Sturt University, March 9, 2018. Thesis topic: Media and Democracy in the Third Space: Defining the spatial location of the Turkish media in the Euro-Muslim World, Fulya Vatansever.
• Reviewer, academic journal Rural Society, “The Trump Administration & Efficiency: The proposed border ‘wall’ and its possible geopolitical implications", January 6, 2018.
• Reviewer, academic Journal of Labor and Society (LANDS), “Jose Carlos Mariategui: Welding Marxism and Indigenism in Latin America”, November 11, 2017.
• Forum participant, Faculty of Arts & Education Research & Research Supervision Forum, Charles Sturt University – Bathurst campus, August 24-26, 2016.
• Reviewer, PhD Candidature confirmation, Charles Sturt University, May 26, 2016. Thesis topic: Political Scandals in Australian Politics, Liam Lander.
• Politics Honours research course launch (HSS401 Research/Dissertation, HSS402 Reading Subject, HSS403 Political Theory and Method), March 17, 2016,
• Workshop participant, “Refreshed University Values,” Charles Sturt University – Bathurst campus, 30 March, 2016.
• Workshop participant, “In the Beginning” Rejuvenating the First Year Curriculum in Political Science/Politics” Conference, Australian Catholic University (ACU), November 1, 2013,
• Reviewer, Master’s Candidature confirmation, University of Western Sydney, October 28, 2013. Thesis topic: The Syrian Crisis, Paul Antonopoulos.
• Honours thesis examiner, The Origins of the Cambodian-Vietnamese War. By Paul Antonopoulos, University of Western Sydney, November 5, 2012.
• Book launches, Sydney, Bathurst, and Melbourne, March 15, 19, and 21, 2012.
• Open Letter in Solidarity with Hunger Strikes at La Tramacúa Prison, Valledupar, Colombia (among 136 academics, public intellectuals, and Human Rights groups), July 2, 2011, https://anncolprov.blogspot.com/2011/07/organizaciones-internacionales-piden-el.html
• Open Letter to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias in opposition to extradition policy with Colombia (among 100 leading Latin Americanists, NGOs, and community groups), April 27, 2011, http://www.rebelion.org/noticia.php?id=127260 
• Reviewer, PhD Candidature confirmation, University of Western Sydney, April 15, 2011. Thesis topic: The Cold War in Latin America, James Trapani.
• Registration for Research Higher Degree (HDR) Supervisor, Charles Sturt University, April 12, 2011.
• Honours thesis examiner, An Imperial Legacy: American Foreign Policy in Post War Latin America. By James Trapani, University of Western Sydney, November 17, 2010.
• Honours thesis examiner, A Delicate Alliance: Hegemony and the Political Economic Genesis of Neoliberalism in Australia. By Joe Collins, Charles Sturt University, August 27, 2010.
• Graduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching (GCULT) – EEL409, June 10, 2010.
• Foundations of University Learning and Teaching (FULT), December 8, 2009.
• Reviewer for conference proceedings, The Australasian Political Studies Association (APSA) Annual Conference. Macquarie University, Sydney, September 28-30, 2009.
• Research Grant Writing, professional workshop, UWS, April 10, 2007.
• Talk on PhD preparation and issues for postgraduate students, UWS Student Representative Council workshop, April 7, 2007.
• Developing a philosophy of teaching statement, professional workshop, UWS, April 19, 2006.
• Starting your portfolio: gathering evidence, professional workshop, UWS, August 12, 2005.