Nick Osbaldiston
Projects
2
Publications
53
Awards
3
Contact Details
Associate Professor of Sociology
- +61 7 42321175
- nick.osbaldiston@jcu.edu.au
Biography
Associate Professor Nick Osbaldiston is a sociologist who joined JCU in 2015. He has previously worked at the University of Melbourne, Monash University and Federation University (Gippsland). Nick currently works in the College of Arts, Society and Education and a teaching and research academic. He is also currently a research fellow with the Cairns Institute.
Nick's research work predominantly covers the areas of lifestyle migration, internal migration, social theory, place and Australia's coasts, higher education labour and climate change adaptation. In the past, he has published several books including Understanding Lifestyle Migration with Professor Michaela Benson (Palgrave, 2014), Seeking Authenticity in Place, Culture and Self (Palgrave, 2012) and Towards a Sociology of the Coast (Palgrave, 2019). He has also published widely on higher education labour culminating in the book The Social Structures of Global Academia with Dr Fabian Cannizzo (Routledge, 2019).
Nick is currently working on a number of projects including work with colleagues from across Australia on internal migration trends pre and post covid19. In addition to this, he is working on a follow up monograph on a cultural sociology of coasts, due for publication in 2026.
He has extensive experience with honours and PhD students in sociology, geography, planning and theory. Currently he is supervising students in various areas and is available for supervision especially on areas of population and sociology.
Nick recently served as the TASA Social Theory Thematic Group co-convener, and is presently on the editorial board of Australian Planner and the American Journal of Cultural Sociology.
Research
Research Interests
Cultural Sociology; Place; Population; Social Theory; Lifestyle Migration; Climate Change and Society; Internal Migration; Counter-urbanisation
Projects
Teaching
Teaching Interests
Sociology, Social Theory, Methods in Social Sciences, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Population and Demography
Research Advisor Accreditation
Advisor Type
Mentor
Research Advisor Accreditation
Role
Chair; Independent Academic
Taught Modules
[SS3001] Social Policy Development and AnalysisCoordinator, Lecturer
2025
[SY2100] Migration, Ethnicity and BelongingCoordinator, Lecturer
2025
2025
[SY2101] Sociology of Digital LifeCoordinator
2025
[RM8501] Research PlanningLecturer
2025
Current JCU Research Students
Settlement and acculturation experiences of French migrants in Far North Queensland.
Doctor of Philosophy (Society and Culture)
Rifts and Reconnection: An Examination of Reconnective Mitigative Practices under Capitalism
Doctor of Philosophy (Society and Culture)
Morality and climate change adaptation in coastal communities
Doctor of Philosophy (Society and Culture)
Heidegger and the challenge to medical approaches to Schizophrenia
Doctor of Philosophy (Society and Culture)
Completed JCU Research Students
School-based Community Gardens Battling Food Disconnection as a Manifestation of Environmental Generational Amnesia
Doctor of Philosophy (Society and Culture)- 2024
Social Media as a zone of violence: Neoliberal ideology and violent self-presentation in online spaces
Doctor of Philosophy (Society and Culture)- 2023
In Defence of the North - The Narrative of Place and the Art of Becoming Northern Queensland 1971-1981
Doctor of Philosophy (Society and Culture)- 2024
Housing the homeless: housing crisis and caravan parks - a Bourdieusian perspective
Doctor of Philosophy (Arts and Social Sciences) (Res)- 2021
An exploration of the digital nomad lifestyle in pandemic times
Doctor of Philosophy (Society and Culture)- 2024
Amenity migration, liveability, and place dynamics in Cairns, Australia
Doctor of Philosophy (Architecture and Building)- 2024
Activities
Education
Associations
Co-Editor of Nexus (TASA)
2010 - 2013
Awards
Employment
Lecturer in Sociology, Federation University
2014 - 2014
Lecturer in Sociology, Monash University
2012 - 2014
Output
Petray, Theresa; Osbaldiston, Nick (2024) Exploring Sociology in the Antipodes - Introduction to Sociology 1st Australian Edition. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Teaching Material] [DOI]
Osbaldiston, Nick (2020) Westbury Community Public Survey Report on Prison Proposal. Westbury, TAS, Australia: [Report]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick; McShane, Connar; Oleszek, Raechel (2020) Examining Under/Non-Insurance Within the Community of the Cairns Local Government Area. Cairns, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Cannizzo, Fabian; Osbaldiston, Nick (2019) The Social Structures of Global Academia. Abingdon, UK: [Edited Publication] [DOI]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick; Denny, Lisa; Picken, Felicity (2019) Moving to Tassie: a brief examination of internal migration to Tasmania. Townsville, QLD, Australia: [Report]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Benson, Michaela; Osbaldiston, Nick (2014) Understanding Lifestyle Migration: theoretical approaches to migration and the quest for a better life. Bassingstoke, UK: [Edited Publication]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick (2013) Culture of the Slow: social deceleration in an accelerated world. Basingstoke, UK: [Edited Publication]
Other Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Dadpour, Rana; Law, Lisa; Osbaldiston, Nick (2025) 'Mapping migrants’ narratives: A qual-GIS approach to Cairns’ urban liveability'. Geographical Research, 63 (1):26-39. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Dadpour, Rana; Law, Lisa; Osbaldiston, Nick (2024) 'Expected Versus Experienced Liveability for Amenity Migrants in Cairns, Australia: The Grass is not Always Greener in the Tropics'. Urban Policy and Research, 42 (3):263-277. [DOI]
Dadpour, Rana; Law, Lisa; Osbaldiston, Nick (2024) 'Paradise lost? Rental housing insecurity and the lived experiences of amenity migrants in Cairns, Australia'. Australian Planner, 60 (1):58-71. [DOI]
Osbaldiston, Nick (2022) '‘The Summers Were Getting Hotter’: exploring motivations for migration to Tasmania away from mainland Australia'. Australian Geographer, 53 (4):461-476. [DOI]
Gilbert, Andrew S.; Busbridge, Rachel; Osbaldiston, Nick (2022) '‘Living in crisis’: Introduction to a special section'. Thesis Eleven, 170 (1):3-8. [DOI]
Osbaldiston, Nick; Buckle, Caitlin (2022) 'Lifestyle migration in place: Notes from the field'. Thesis Eleven, 172 (1):114-130. [DOI]
Osbaldiston, Nick; Picken, Felicity; Denny, Lisa (2020) 'Exploring emotional reflexivity in British lifestyle migration to Australia'. Population, Space and Place, 26 . [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick; Denny, Lisa; Picken, Felicity (2020) 'Seachange in Tasmania: exploring interstate migration into the 'Apple Isle''. Australasian Journal of Regional Studies, 26 (1):55-76.
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick; Cannizo, Fabian; Mauri, Christian (2019) ''I love my work but I hate my job' – early career academic perspective on academic times in Australia'. Time and Society, 28 (2):743-762. [DOI]
Osbaldiston, Nick; McShane, Connar; Oleszek, Raechel (2019) 'Underinsurance in cyclone and flood environments: a case study in Cairns, Queensland'. Australian Journal of Emergency Management, 34 (1):41-47.
Cannizzo, Fabian; Mauri, Christian; Osbaldiston, Nick (2019) 'Moral barriers between work/life balance policy and practice in academia'. Journal of Cultural Economy, 12 (4):251-264. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick (2019) 'Simmel’s Adventure and its relationship to the ought of life'. Simmel Studies, 23 (2):71-96. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Cannizzo, Fabian; Osbaldiston, Nick (2016) 'Academic work/life balance: a brief quantitative analysis of the Australian experience'. Journal of Sociology, 52 (4):890-906. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Benson, Michaela; Osbaldiston, Nick (2016) 'Toward a critical sociology of lifestyle migration: reconceptualizing migration and the search for a better way of life'. The Sociological Review, 64 (3):407-423. [DOI]
Osbaldiston, Nick; Picken, Felicity; Duffy, Michelle (2015) 'Characteristics and future intentions of second homeowners: a case study from Eastern Victoria, Australia'. Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events, 7 (1):62-76. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick (2015) 'A cultural sociological reading of lifestyle migration'. Two Homelands, 42 :25-36.
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
O'Brien, Peter; Osbaldiston, Nick; Kendall, Gavin (2014) 'ePortfolios and eGovernment: from technology to the entrepreneurial self'. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 46 (3):284-295. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick; Picken, Felicity (2014) 'Ongoing and future relationships of second home owners with places in coastal Australia: an empirical case study from Eastern Victoria'. Tourism Review International, 18 (3):137-152. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Hurlimann, Anna; Barnett, Jon; Fincher, Ruth; Osbaldiston, Nick; Mortreux, Colette; Graham, Sonia (2014) 'Urban planning and sustainable adaptation to sea-level rise'. Landscape and Urban Planning, 126 :84-93. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick; Petray, Theresa (2011) 'The role of horror and dread in the sacred experience'. Tourist Studies, 11 (2):175-190. [DOI]
Osbaldiston, Nick (2011) 'The authentic place in the amenity migration discourse'. Space and Culture, 14 (2):214-226. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nicholas (2010) 'Elementary forms of place in Seachange'. Journal of Sociology, 46 (3):239-256. [DOI]
Journal Publication
ResearchOnline@JCU
Cook, Peta S.; Osbaldiston, Nick (2010) 'Pigs hearts and human bodies: a cultural approach to xenotransplantation'. M/C Journal, 13 (5).
Boulard, Florence Monique; Osbaldiston, Nick (2024) 'New Caledonians are looking to Australia as a safe haven. But for most, migration remains out of reach' The Conversation, 31 May 2024 . [DOI]
Journal Contribution
ResearchOnline@JCU
Crommelin, Laura; Osbaldiston, Nick (2023) 'Regional Australia: Opportunities and Futures' Australian Planner, 58 (3-4) :69-71. [DOI]
Journal Contribution
ResearchOnline@JCU
Buckle, Caitlin; Osbaldiston, Nick (2022) 'Editorial introduction: counter-urbanisation in contemporary Australia: a review of current issues and events' Australian Geographer, 53 (4) :347-362. [DOI]
Osbaldiston, Nick (2025) 'Challenging Academic Freedom' In: Osbaldiston, Nick (2025) Challenging Academic Freedom. In: Collyer, Fran M., (ed.) Research Handbook on the Sociology of Knowledge. Research Handbooks in Sociology series . Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, pp. 467-487. (In Press)(Eds.). Research Handbook on the Sociology of Knowledge. : Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
Osbaldiston, Nick (2025) 'New pace of life in the city and the growing desire to slow down' In: Osbaldiston, Nick (2025) New pace of life in the city and the growing desire to slow down. In: Danckert, J, and Baumgarten, M, (eds.) Stadt und Gesundheit 2040. MWV Medical Wisdom See, Berlin, Germany, pp. 7-12(Eds.). Stadt und Gesundheit 2040. Berlin, Germany : MWV Medical Wisdom See.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick (2024) 'The Challenge of Climate Change for Future Port Cities: Considering the Precautionary Principle in Adaptation to Sea-Level Rise' In: Osbaldiston, Nick (2024) The Challenge of Climate Change for Future Port Cities: Considering the Precautionary Principle in Adaptation to Sea-Level Rise. In: Hein, Carola, Bartlomiejski, Robert, and Kowalewski, Maciej, (eds.) Hustle and Bustle: The Vibrant Cultures of Port Cities. International Studies in Maritime Sociology, 3 . Brill, Leiden, The Netherlands, pp. 20-39(Eds.). Hustle and Bustle: The Vibrant Cultures of Port Cities. Leiden, The Netherlands : Brill. [DOI]
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick (2022) 'Emotions and under-insurance: Exploring reflexivity and relations with the insurance industry' In: Osbaldiston, Nick (2022) Emotions and under-insurance: Exploring reflexivity and relations with the insurance industry. In: Booth, Kate, Lucas, Chloe, and French, Shaun, (eds.) Climate, Society and Elemental Insurance: capacities and limitations. Routledge, Abingdon, UK, pp. 156-166(Eds.). Climate, Society and Elemental Insurance: capacities and limitations. Abingdon, UK : Routledge. [DOI]
The View of Lifestyle Migration: a Brief Exploration of the Ethics of Seeking a Better Way of Life
2022
Osbaldiston, Nick (2022) 'The View of Lifestyle Migration: a Brief Exploration of the Ethics of Seeking a Better Way of Life' In: Osbaldiston, Nick (2022) The View of Lifestyle Migration: a Brief Exploration of the Ethics of Seeking a Better Way of Life. In: Robertson, Shanthi, and Roberts, Rosie, (eds.) Rethinking Privilege and Social Mobility in Middle-Class Migration: migrants 'in between'. Studies in Migration and Diaspora . Routledge, London, UK, pp. 130-149(Eds.). Rethinking Privilege and Social Mobility in Middle-Class Migration: migrants 'in between'. London, UK : Routledge. [DOI]
Osbaldiston, Nick; Picken, Felicity; Denny, Lisa (2021) 'Dynamics of Seachangers in rural and regional townships' In: Osbaldiston, Nick, Picken, Felicity, and Denny, Lisa (2021) Dynamics of Seachangers in rural and regional townships. In: Harkness, Alistair, and White, Rob, (eds.) Crossroads of Rural Crime: Representations and Realities of Transgression in the Australian Countryside. Emerald Publishing, Bingley, U.K., pp. 149-166(Eds.). Crossroads of Rural Crime: Representations and Realities of Transgression in the Australian Countryside. Bingley, U.K : Emerald Publishing. [DOI]
Osbaldiston, Nick (2020) 'Writing Noosa's beach: travellers' narratives and modernity' In: Osbaldiston, Nick (2020) Writing Noosa's beach: travellers' narratives and modernity. In: Ellison, Elizabeth, and Brien, Donna, (eds.) Writing the Australian Beach: local site, global idea. Palgrave, Cham, Switzerland, pp. 109-123(Eds.). Writing the Australian Beach: local site, global idea. Cham, Switzerland : Palgrave. [DOI]
Cannizzo, Fabian; Osbaldiston, Nick (2019) 'An introduction to the social structures of global academia' In: Cannizzo, Fabian, and Osbaldiston, Nick (2019) An introduction to the social structures of global academia. In: Cannizzo, Fabian, and Osbaldiston, Nick, (eds.) The Social Structures of Global Academia. Routledge, Abingdon, UK, pp. 1-18(Eds.). The Social Structures of Global Academia. Abingdon, UK : Routledge. [DOI]
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick; Cannizzo, Fabian; Mauri, Christian (2019) 'Academic Service: attachment, belief and hope' In: Osbaldiston, Nick, Cannizzo, Fabian, and Mauri, Christian (2019) Academic Service: attachment, belief and hope. In: Cannizzo, Fabian, and Osbaldiston, Nick, (eds.) The Social Structures of Global Academia. Routledge, Abingdon, UK, pp. 53-69(Eds.). The Social Structures of Global Academia. Abingdon, UK : Routledge. [DOI]
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Holley, Karri; Kuzhabekova, Aliya; Osbaldiston, Nick; Cannizzo, Fabian; Mauri, Christian; Simmonds, Shan; Teelken, Christian; van der Weijden, Inga (2018) 'Global perspectives on the postdoctoral scholar experience' In: Holley, Karri, Kuzhabekova, Aliya, Osbaldiston, Nick, Cannizzo, Fabian, Mauri, Christian, Simmonds, Shan, Teelken, Christian, and van der Weijden, Inga (2018) Global perspectives on the postdoctoral scholar experience. In: Jaeger, Audrey J., and Dinin, Alessandra J., (eds.) The Postdoc Landscape: The Invisible Scholars. Elsevier, London, UK, pp. 203-226(Eds.). The Postdoc Landscape: The Invisible Scholars. London, UK : Elsevier. [DOI]
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick; Picken, Felicity (2014) 'The urban push for environmental amenity: the impact of lifestyle migration on local housing markets and communities' In: Osbaldiston, Nick, and Picken, Felicity (2014) The urban push for environmental amenity: the impact of lifestyle migration on local housing markets and communities. In: Ragusa, Angela, (ed.) Rural Lifestyles, Community Well-Being and Social Change: lessons from country Australia for global citizens. Bentham Science, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, pp. 45-106(Eds.). Rural Lifestyles, Community Well-Being and Social Change: lessons from country Australia for global citizens. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates : Bentham Science. [DOI]
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Benson, Michaela; Osbaldiston, Nick (2014) 'New horizons in lifestyle migration research: theorising movement, settlement and the search for a better life' In: Benson, Michaela, and Osbaldiston, Nick (2014) New horizons in lifestyle migration research: theorising movement, settlement and the search for a better life. In: Benson, Michaela, and Osbaldiston, Nick, (eds.) Understanding Lifestyle Migration: theoretical approaches to migration and the quest for a better life. Palgrave Macmillan, Bassingstoke, UK, pp. 1-23(Eds.). Understanding Lifestyle Migration: theoretical approaches to migration and the quest for a better life. Bassingstoke, UK : Palgrave Macmillan.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick (2014) 'Beyond ahistoricity and mobilities in lifestyle migration research' In: Osbaldiston, Nick (2014) Beyond ahistoricity and mobilities in lifestyle migration research. In: Benson, Michaela, and Osbaldiston, Nick, (eds.) Understanding Lifestyle Migration: theoretical approaches to migration and the quest for a better life. Palgrave Macmillan, Bassingstoke, UK, pp. 163-187(Eds.). Understanding Lifestyle Migration: theoretical approaches to migration and the quest for a better life. Bassingstoke, UK : Palgrave Macmillan.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick; Picken, Felicity (2014) 'Negotiating the value of slow in amenity migration' In: Osbaldiston, Nick, and Picken, Felicity (2014) Negotiating the value of slow in amenity migration. In: Moss, Laurence A.G., and Glorioso, Romella S., (eds.) Global Amenity Migration: transforming rural culture, economy & landscape. New Ecology Press, Kaslo, Canada, pp. 83-98(Eds.). Global Amenity Migration: transforming rural culture, economy & landscape. Kaslo, Canada : New Ecology Press.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick (2013) 'Slow culture: an introduction' In: Osbaldiston, Nick (2013) Slow culture: an introduction. In: Osbaldiston, Nick, (ed.) Culture of the Slow: social deceleration in an accelerated world. Consumption and Public Life . Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, UK, pp. 1-18(Eds.). Culture of the Slow: social deceleration in an accelerated world. Basingstoke, UK : Palgrave Macmillan.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick (2013) 'Conclusion: departing notes on the slow narrative' In: Osbaldiston, Nick (2013) Conclusion: departing notes on the slow narrative. In: Osbaldiston, Nick, (ed.) Culture of the Slow: social deceleration in an accelerated world. Consumption and Public Life . Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, UK, pp. 178-192(Eds.). Culture of the Slow: social deceleration in an accelerated world. Basingstoke, UK : Palgrave Macmillan.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick (2013) 'Consuming space slowly: reflections on authenticity, place and the self' In: Osbaldiston, Nick (2013) Consuming space slowly: reflections on authenticity, place and the self. In: Osbaldiston, Nick, (ed.) Culture of the Slow: social deceleration in an accelerated world. Consumption and Public Life . Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, UK, pp. 71-93(Eds.). Culture of the Slow: social deceleration in an accelerated world. Basingstoke, UK : Palgrave Macmillan.
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
O'Brien, Peter; Osbaldiston, Nick (2010) 'ePortfolios and preservice teachers: governing at a distance through non-human actors' In: O'Brien, Peter, and Osbaldiston, Nick (2010) ePortfolios and preservice teachers: governing at a distance through non-human actors. In: Ragusa, Angela T., (ed.) Interaction in Communication Technologies and Virtual Learning Environments: human factors. Information Science Reference, Hershey, PA, USA, pp. 170-192(Eds.). Interaction in Communication Technologies and Virtual Learning Environments: human factors. Hershey, PA, USA : Information Science Reference. [DOI]
Book Chapter
ResearchOnline@JCU
Osbaldiston, Nick (2017) Towards a Sociology of the Coast: Our Past, Present and Future Relationship to the Shore. London, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. [DOI]
Osbaldiston, Nick (2012) Seeking Authenticity in Place, Culture and the Self: the great urban escape. New York, NY, USA: Palgrave Macmillan.