Dr George Tan

PhD

Research Associate

George is a Research Fellow at the Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University (Australia). He was previously a Research Associate at the at the Hugo Centre for Migration (2012-2016) and Population and the Public Health Information Development Unit (2017-2020). George has over 10 years of teaching and research experience in Geography, specifically in the fields of migration and population research. He has a keen research interest in international migration, particularly around international students, skilled migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Some of his recent work includes understanding the post-study migration outcomes of international students in Australia and the experiences of skilled migrants in regional migration programs. His work connects strongly with industry and all levels of government as demonstrated by his recent appointment by the Hon. Alex Hawke, Federal Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs to the Australian Government’s Ministerial Advisory Council for Skilled Migration (MACSM). George is also collaborating with colleagues from various organisations and Australian universities to host an upcoming forum on exploring the resettlement of refugees in regional Australia which will seek to highlight new and emerging issues in this space.

Research Interests

Understanding international migration patterns, trends and processes
International students
Skilled migrants and the policy implications of their migration and settlement processes and outcomes
Refugees and asylum seekers and their settlement outcomes in regional Australia
Population analysis

Current Projects

George is currently working on understanding the international migration flows of skilled migrants to regional defined States and Territories in Australia.
George is also collaborating with researchers from Deakin and Monash University on the post-study work experiences of international graduates on the temporary graduate visa.
He is also working with researchers at the University of South Australia and Charles Sturt University exploring the social, cultural and economic impacts that humanitarian migrant communities can have on receiving communities.

Professional Positions, Memberships, Awards & Media Coverage

2012- Recipient of John Lewis Silver Medal for Geography by the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia- for significant theoretical or empirical contribution to geography through the completion of a Masters degree or a PhD.
Golden Key International Honour Society
Australia Population Association Member
Institute of Australian Geographers Member
Campus Review July 24 2020 – Post-study work rights the key to attracting international students, Tran, L. and Tan, G.
The Conversation – July 31 2020 “Australia’s graduate work visa scheme attracts international students to our universities. Is it enough? https://theconversation.com/australias-graduate-work-visa-scheme-attracts-international-students-to-our-universities-is-it-enough-143534 - Tran, L. and Tan, G.
The Conversation – April 23 2020 “90,000 foreign graduates are stuck in Australia without financial support: it’s a humanitarian and economic crisis in the making”, https://theconversation.com/90-000-foreign-graduates-are-stuck-in-australia-without-financial-support-its-a-humanitarian-and-economic-crisis-in-the-making-136717 - Tran, L. and Tan, G.
The Conversation – September 30 2019 “Australia’s temporary graduate visa attracts international students, but many find it hard to get work in their field”, https://theconversation.com/australias-temporary-graduate-visa-attracts-international-students-but-many-find-it-hard-to-get-work-in-their-field-123997 - Tran, L., Tan, G. and Rahimi, M.
The Conversation – October 24 2019 “There’s one big problem with Australia’s skilled migration program: many employers don’t want new migrants”, https://theconversation.com/theres-one-big-problem-with-australias-skilled-migration-program-many-employers-dont-want-new-migrants-125569 – Cebulla, A and Tan G.
University World News – October 7 2019 “Tackling the post-study work visa chicken or egg problem”, https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=2019100710555827 – Tran, L., Rahimi, M. and Tan G.
Indaily - October 1 2019 “Old ideas undermine the economic benefits of skilled migrants for SA”, https://indaily.com.au/opinion/2019/10/01/old-ideas-undermine-the-economic-benefits-of-skilled-migrants-for-sa/ - Cebulla, A and Tan G.
SBS – October 21 2016 “Construction industry absorbing majority of refugee entrepreneurs”, http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/10/20/construction-industry-absorbing-majority-refugee-entrepreneurs, interviewee – George Tan
SBS – October 27 2016, “English skills give African refugees the edge on income”, http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/10/27/english-skills-give-african-refugees-edge-income, interviewee – George Tan
The Australian – 12 September 2015 “Could Tony Abbott’s announcement of 12,000 Syrian refugees mark a turning point in our national psyche?”, http://www.smh.com.au/comment/could-tony-abbotts-announcement-of-12000-syrian-refugees-mark-a-turning-point-in-our-national-psyche-20150911-gjkdoz.html - interviewee – George Tan
ABC South East Morning Show – 2 December 2014 “Enabling Rural Migrant Settlement”, interviewee – George Tan
ABC News Online– 14 July 2014, “South-East SA used as case study in migrant settlement study”, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-14/south-east-sa-used-as-case-study-in-migrant/5594822.
ABC South East Morning Show – 14 July 2014, “South East migrant population under the spotlight in new study”, interviewee – George Tan