Dr Catherine Hastings is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University. Her research examines the role of intersecting mechanisms of structural inequalities and events experienced by individuals in producing social harms. Her current ARC DECRA investigates how, why and in what context types of legal needs develop for marginalised and disadvantaged populations in Australia. In addition, Catherine studies housing precarity and homelessness. Her research is informed by the philosophy of science, critical realism. For over 15 years, Catherine has delivered applied social research and evaluation for government and not-for-profit organisations.