Sofia Rios

Background

About Sofia Rios

My personal experience, professional career and academic pursuits help me readily recognise the importance in all members of our community feeling represented, welcomed and included. I firmly believe that the way we relate to one another can create a community and culture in which everyone feels respected and valued - or it can leave people feeling alienated and belittled through all of the collateral damage this brings. We each have power within ourselves, at every turn, in choosing how our actions and words uplift others. I was born and raised in Mexico City and moved to Texas to complete my undergraduate studies at TCU (Go Frogs!). I moved to Australia in 2009 to obtain my Master's degree. My deep interest in equitable screen representation led to my completion of a Joint PhD in Film/TV Studies through the alliance between Monash University and the University of Warwick. My research has been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals, as well as a book chapter in “Screen Culture in the Global South: Cinema at the End of the World.” I have worked with and for young people since 2005 across universities in Melbourne and Sydney, as well as the USA and England. My aim has always been to aid Higher Education students in their various life transitions and in adapting to dissimilar educational and cultural backgrounds. I have supported Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, LGBTQIA+ and First Nations students, and coordinated wide-ranging events that demonstrate awareness, education and commitment to issues of antiracism, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and reconciliation. I am valued as a positive, empathetic, self-aware and emotionally intelligent leader who develops systems and wellbeing resources, and leads organisational change in order to foster a culturally caring and competent workplace and community.