Dr Irena Colakova Veljanova is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Western Sydney University (WSU), contributing to the School of Social Sciences (SSAP) through applied research, student-centred teaching, and academic governance. A WSU graduate, having completed both undergraduate and doctoral studies at the University, she is deeply committed to advancing its values of equity, inclusion, and community engagement.

Her research lies at the intersection of health sociology, migration studies, and disability studies, with a focus on structural inequality, care systems, and marginalised communities. Working with partners such as South West Sydney Health and the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association, her applied research has addressed domestic violence in CALD communities, disability and immigration, and transcultural physiotherapy. This work has been recognised through awards from NSW Health and South West Sydney Health.

Her current research explores social support systems for refugees with disabilities in Ugandan refugee settlements and the role of AI in managing health misinformation in CALD communities. She prioritises interdisciplinary collaboration, community co-production, and policy-engaged research.

An award-winning educator, Dr Veljanova has received the Vice-Chancellor’s Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, the Dean’s Award for Innovation, and the Dean’s Award for Innovative Blended Learning. Her teaching integrates international community-based learning, e-portfolios, and industry-academic partnerships.

She has made long standing contribution to academic governance in roles such as Academic Course Advisor, Equity and Diversity Coordinator, Acting Associate Dean HDR, and Academic Program Advisor for the Master of Research. Her contribution to School and University governance include memberships to various committees at School, Cluster and Senate level. 

Dr Veljanova has supervised over 20 Higher Degree Research students. She received the SoSS Excellence in PhD Supervision Award in recognition of her contributions to research training. She is currently accepting new HDR students and welcomes expressions of interest in her areas of expertise. Examples of past theses include:

• Emancipatory Power of Online Gaming for People with Physical Disabilities

• Examining Human Rights and Ethical Practice in Australian Policing: A New South Wales Case Study

• The Experience of Pain and Pain Management among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities in Australia

• Australian Police Peacekeepers Navigating Ethics, Human Rights, Structure and Agency in Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands

• Social Justice Through Widening Participation: Exploring the Decision-Making Processes for Becoming First in Family Muslim Youth at Western Sydney University

• Exploring the Role of Social Workers in Response to IPV: A Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA)

• Risk, Choice and Immunisation Practices among Academics in Australia in the 21st Century

• Third Culture Kid: An Exploration into the Formation of Transnational Identities in Second Generation Ethno-Nepali Youth

• Cultural Diversity as Experienced by CALD Students at the Peer Interaction Level in the Multicultural Educational Environment at UWS

• The Use of Online Support Groups for Women Battling or Surviving Breast Cancer

• A Comparison of Swedish, Australian and UK Recidivism Rates: Is There a Difference and Which Factors Account for It?

• Exploring the Experiences of Students with Intellectual Disabilities within the Indonesian Tertiary System