Kate Golebiowska

Kate Golebiowska, PhD

Researcher of international migration and research methods at Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University in Darwin, Australia.

As a researcher of international migration, my inspiration comes from listening to the stories of migrants, engaging with migrant communities, reading others’ work, and following the global news. Together, these reveal nuanced impacts of geopolitical shifts on migration patterns. These are my constant sources of ideas, some of which blossom into projects around themes including:

Migration and Settlement Dynamics

Exploration of socio-economic integration and settlement processes of migrants in Australia and beyond. Focus on micro-entrepreneurship among first-generation migrant women, illuminating their economic contributions and challenges. International students and multicultural communities.

(Im)mobility and Workplace Experiences

Investigating motivations and workplace dynamics of international migrants, particularly in human services industries in regional areas.

Comparative Policy Analysis

Comparative analysis of regional migration policies in Australia, Canada, and Scandinavia, examining governance and policy impacts.

Beyond these three axes of research, I have contributed to research on topics including:

  • refugee inter-regional mobilities
  • community sector development
  • settlement and labour market situation of the Ukrainian migrants and refugees in Poland
  • Indigenous student education in regional settings

My research explores the intersection of the experience of migration and the settlement process, with a focus on the socio-economic integration of migrants. It falls within migration studies, population studies, and broadly human geography.

I hold a PhD in Public Policy from The Australian National University Crawford School of Public Policy and an MA in Political Sciences from the University of Warsaw. Currently, I am a Senior Research Fellow at Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University in Darwin, Australia, where I have taught courses in sociology, cultural intelligence and capability, research methods, and capstone research units in public policy.

Since conducting my PhD field research in Australia and Canada, I have been passionate about meeting people in the field and learning about their life experiences and professional expertise through the stories they tell. This was heightened further during my recent Fulbright Award (2023), which enabled my engagement with Start:ME, a business accelerator program offered by Emory University and partner organisations to new and aspiring migrant and minority micro-entrepreneurs in Atlanta. Micro-entrepreneurship of first-generation migrant women has not yet received the same, full attention despite the economic and non-economic contributions these founders make. This is beginning to change in Australia and elsewhere and my research in this area will continue.

“To date, my work has involved 467 engagements in the field.”

I have conducted in-depth and key informant interviews and focus groups to uncover personal migrant experiences as well as gain insights from policy, industry, and community stakeholders about the rationale behind and impacts of various policies and programs that interact with settlement and integration processes. These narratives alone, or combined with official statistics in mixed method approaches, help me to understand and explain the landscape of migration, integration, and inclusion.

“Over the last 10 years, I have reviewed 370 applications as a member of the CDU Human Research Ethics Committee.”

I bring a dedication to robust ethical framework to my research practice, ensuring rigour and responsibility in all aspects of my work.

Professional Contributions

Current Professional Affiliations
  • American Association of Geographers (AAG)
  • Regional Studies Association
  • Australian Population Association
  • Australian-French Association for Research and Innovation
  • International Geographic Union
  • Center for the Arts, Migration and Entrepreneurship, University of Florida (as a courtesy Associate Professor)
  • Fulbrighter Global Network & Australian Fulbright Alumni Association

2025 – Present, Vice-Chair, Ethnic Geography Specialty Group, American Association of Geographers

2024 – Present, Member of the Executive Council, Australian-French Association for Research and Innovation

2024, 2025, Fulbright Scholarships Selection Panel Member, Australian-American Fulbright Commission
2023 – Present, Member of the Northern Institute Governance Team, Charles Darwin University
2023 – Present, Vice-President, Australian Population Association
2023, Expert grants reviewer, Foundation for the Polish Science
2021 – 2022, Secretary, Australian Population Association

2022,  The Vice-Chancellor’s Long Service Award for 15 years of meritorious service to Charles Darwin University.
2014, Certificate of Appreciation. Exceptional Commitment and Contribution to CDU Human Research Ethics Committee.
2002-2006, International Postgraduate Research Scholarship and The Australian National University PhD Scholarship; also made first-order offers from two other Australian universities.

Contact me >