Dr Farnaz Zirakbash is a lecturer in sociology. She completed her PhD in Sociology in 2014. Her doctoral research explored the lives of highly educated, professional Iranian women who migrated to Australia following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The study highlighted the significant roles of gender and education in migration experiences, areas that had received limited attention in previous migration research. Prior to her PhD, Farnaz also completed a Master’s degree by research in Sociology and Women’s Studies in Australia, utilising qualitative research methods.

Farnaz has over 15 years of teaching experience and has taught a wide range of sociology units at Swinburne University of Technology, exploring issues such as identity, gender, race, class, and the challenges of living in a digital age.

Farnaz is specialised in domestic and family violence research and education. Between 2016 and 2018, she undertook postdoctoral research in the area of domestic and family violence as a Research Fellow. Her work has involved interviewing vulnerable and marginalised groups, including victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, refugee women, and families from low socio-economic backgrounds.

From 2021 to 2025, Farnaz worked at Chisholm Institute, where she lectured in the Graduate Certificate in Family Violence. At Chisholm, she taught units including Gender, Power & State and Primary Prevention in Family Violence.

Farnaz also leads “Shifting Gender Narratives” project at Swinburne University of Technology. She is deeply passionate about creating social change and educating young people on gender-related issues, with a strong focus on respect, equality, and challenging harmful gender norms.