Dr Paul Mason has taught more than 20,000 university students since he first started lecturing in 2006. He has tutored, lectured, and convened undergraduate and postgraduate units in anthropology, conservation education, health sociology, psychology, and even music and dance at several different universities in Australia including the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Macquarie University, Monash University, LaTrobe University, University of Western Sydney, and University of Tasmania in Sydney. Outside the university sector, he also delivers seminars and workshops on leadership, critical thinking and complex systems and, believe it or not, dance, non-verbal communication and choreomusicology.

For student feedback, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Masterclass

  • Disrupting Normality: Methods to question assumptions, challenge the status quo and develop heterodox opportunities, online masterclass (forthcoming)

  • Conservation Education Masterclass, Taronga Conservation Education, 8 October 2019 & 27 May 2020.

Teaching Awards

Postgraduate Research Supervision

  • Dr. Paul Mason, a cultural anthropologist by training, has supervised Honours, Masters and PhD students at Monash University, Macquarie University, and Sydney University. He was the postgraduate coordinator of the Masters of Conservation Education offered jointly by the Taronga Conservation Society Australia and the University of Sydney (2019-2022). He was Honours convenor in anthropology at Monash University (2017-2019) where he also co-supervised three PhD students. He has supervised Masters by Research students in the Department of Anthropology at Macquarie University (2016), co-supervised Masters students in Pharmacy and PhD students in the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney (2014-2015), and also mentored a selection of postgraduate students at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research (2013-2015). He is interested in supervising a broad range of postgraduate projects related to environmental anthropology and the anthropology of the body including topics in the fields of medical anthropology, bioethics, history and philosophy of science, ethnomusicology and dance anthropology. Paul has also examined theses in the social and environmental sciences.

Global Leadership Program

Awarded the Institute for International Education's 2017 Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education, in the Internationalising the Campus category.

Convenor

  • ANTH1051: Human Evolution and Diversity, School of Social Sciences, Macquarie University (2016 & 2022-2024)
  • ANTH3008: Psychological Anthropology , School of Social Sciences, Macquarie University (2022-2024)
  • ANTH3604: The Anthropocene, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Sydney (2021 & 2024) Unit of Study Survey Results, 2024
  • ANTH3002: Anthropology of Politics and Power, School of Social Sciences, Macquarie University (2022)
  • EDPT5003: Environmental Education Programs, Taronga Conservation Society Australia (2019-2022)
  • EDPT5004: Conservation Leadership and Behaviour Change, Taronga Conservation Society Australia (2019-2021)
  • EDPT5002: Understanding Conservation Science, Taronga Conservation Society Australia (2020-2021)
  • ANTH6916: Culture and Development: Key Concepts, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Sydney (2021)
  • Honours in Anthropology, School of Social Science, Monash University (2017-2019)
  • ATS1396: Drug Cultures, School of Social Sciences, Monash University (2018)
  • ATS1262: Understanding Social Behaviour, School of Social Sciences, Monash University (2017)
  • ANTH801: Research Methods in Anthropology (for postgraduate MGlobalHlthDevStud students), Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2016)
  • ANTH751: Methodology in Local and Community Studies (for postgraduate MRes students), Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2016)
  • Choreography, Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies, Macquarie University (2010)

Co-convenor

  • ANTH3002: Anthropology of Politics and Power, School of Social Sciences, Macquarie University (2023)
  • ATS1255: Encountering Cultures, School of Social Sciences, Monash University (2017 & 2018)
  • ANTH151: Human Evolution and Diversity, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2016)
  • ANTH818: The Anthropology of Aid, Human Rights and Intervention, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2013)

Guest Lecturer

  • SUST1001: Introduction to Sustainability, School of Geosciences, University of Sydney (2024)
  • Field Methods (Qualitative Research Design, Methods, Sampling, and Analysis), Masters of Public Health, Centre for International Health, Burnet Institute, Monash University (2017)
  • Global Health and Infectious Disease (Social Determinants of Infectious Disease & History of Global Health), Masters of Public Health, Centre for International Health, Burnet Institute, Monash University (2016)
  • Global Health, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2015-2016)
  • Identity and Difference, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2012-2014)
  • Race, Nation, and Ethnicity, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2013)
  • Ethnicity, Migration and Nationalism, Deparment of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2010-2012)
  • Anthropology of Music and Sound, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2012)
  • Asian Cultures, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2012)
  • Body, Mind and Culture, La Trobe University (2011)
  • Migration and Transnationalism, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2011)
  • Contemporary Dance, Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies, Macquarie University (2010)
  • Biology of Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Western Sydney (2006)

Head Tutor

  • Human Evolution and Diversity, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2010-2012, 2020)

Tutor

  • ANTH224: Mad, Bad, Sad: Cross Cultural Perspectives, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2016)
  • HGA138: Society, Culture and Health, Department of Sociology, University of Tasmania in Sydney (2013)
  • ANTH1001: Cultural Difference, Department of Anthropology, Sydney University (2013)
  • ANTH323: Culture and Human Rights, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2013)
  • ANTH221: Development Studies: The Anthropology of International Aid, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2013)
  • Psychological Anthropology, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2012)
  • Anthropology of Music and Sound, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2012)
  • Globalisation and Culture, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2010 & 2012)
  • Keeping the Body in Mind, School of Social and Political Science, Melbourne University (2011)
  • Screen, Media and Dance, Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies, Macquarie University (2010)
  • Human Evolution and Diversity, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2008)

Teaching Assistant

  • Marking for Drugs Across Cultures, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2012 & 2013)
  • Substitute tutor for Food Across Cultures, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University (2012)
  • Assistant to Dr Tamara Kohn (University of Melbourne) in the development of online undergraduate resources for Keeping the Body in Mind (2011)
  • Research assistant to Dr Lisa Wynn in the development of an online ethics training: Human Research Ethics for the Social Sciences and Humanities (2008)

Dance

  • Convenor, Choreography, Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies, Macquarie University (2010)
  • Guest Lecturer, Contemporary Dance, Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies, Macquarie University (2010)
  • Tutor, Screen, Media and Dance, Department of Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies, Macquarie University (2010)

Footage from a Structured Improvisation Workshop

Article by a former student

Beyond the Age Divide, published in VOICE by Cate Green, 2011.

"My anthropology tutorials of last semester proved to be my most rewarding university experience to date, and demonstrated just how such life experience can play a central role in our learning experience. Over the course of 12 weeks, the tutorial class shared their life stories and experiences, which were then linked back to the lecture theory. The tutorial became a forum for students to voice their individual experiences of eating disorders, a young American man’s experience of being marginalised for being a ‘black ballet dancer’, to a student’s battle with stereotypical views of mental illness.

This learning experience will stay with me forever. Why? Because for a moment in time, the barriers between old and young, black and white, and even good and bad were broken down. Knowledge flowed freely across this barrier-free divide; this is what university life should be about."

(Cate Green, 2011: 2)

Feedback from former Students

Student Testimonials

  • I also wanted to thank you for what has been the most engaging anthropology class I have ever taken. The energy and passion you fostered in everyone has been extremely significant to watch and be apart of. I’ve seen your care really internalised by my cohort and I think it’s reflected in how have held the space.
    2021, University of Sydney

  • I had previously done a colloquium run by Paul Mason and really enjoyed it, and signed up to this one more because I think the enthusiasm and engagement with the students he brings is great, rather than an specific interest in world music. Some colloquiua have felt like a lecture, but I think for a program promoting leadership, there should be more convenors like Paul who give students a chance to engage with the convenor themselves and other students, rather than sitting passively and absorbing information. From Paul's colloquium I think I learnt a lot not just about the subject areas he spoke about, but about interpersonal engagement and soft skills; observing his leadership style in running the seminar and the positive reaction of the students was also very valuable, and a stark contrast to the atmosphere in the room in more lecture style colloquium. Global Leadership Program Student, Macquarie International, 2014

  • Paul is very knowledgeable in Sociology and is enthusiastic in his teaching.
    Nursing Student, Society, Culture and Health, University of Tasmania, Sydney Campus

  • Just wanted to thank you for the semester of anthropology. I found the subject fascinating and you a particularly excellent and engaging tutor. I'm sure a lot of us in the class appreciated your enthusiasm and capacity to translate some of the more difficult concepts into graspable ideas.
    AM, 2013, University of Sydney

  • Paul has been a superb tutor, his passion and enthusiasm for the subject was very contagious to all his students. He kept the entire class engaged for all his lessons, and I was disappointed when his class would end. Paul made the subject very interesting and enjoyable. Paul encouraged me to think for myself, and really valued each students opinion, making me feel like a valued member of the class. Thank you Paul!!
    MPM, 2013, University of Sydney

  • I would like to thank you for your tutorials this last semester - they were all very thought provoking, confronting, interesting have made me more aware of issues that I may not have given much thought to prior to undertaking this subject.
    MS, 2013, University of Sydney

  • Your tutorials were always super interesting and well thought out, you obviously worked really hard to make all the material relevant and I learned a lot.
    MSK, 2013, University of Sydney

  • I would just like to take this opportunity to express my thanks for the semester. I really enjoyed the subject and the tutorials were always very relevant and engaging. I also wanted to say that I have extended my degree so I can now major in Anthropology as well as my original major. What really made up my mind besides my ever growing interest in this field was the passion both you and Associate Professor Greg Downey have towards Anthropology and the topics that mean so much to you. It is an example of how we should all venture to do work that we love. You both make great mentors and your guidance both in the written feedback and in class was always constructive.
    EM, 2013, Macquarie University

  • Thanks for the semester Paul! I thought the tutorials for our class were excellent!
    BM, 2013, Macquarie University

  • Out of all the tutors, lecturers, teachers, professors i have had at uni and school i have never experienced anyone that was as inspiring and passionate and actually motivated me to learn and enjoy my course as you. So i just wanted to say thank you and you completely changed my perspective on a lot of issues and regularly after class i would be talking to friends and family about what we talked about! So thank you 🙂 and hopefully you are a tutor in another of my subjects in the future.
    KM, 2013, Macquarie University

  • I enjoyed the class immensely and always felt as if my contributions opinions were welcome and valued. I just wanted to let you know that you are a really great teacher and I'm so happy I took myself out of my comfort zone and really challenged myself with this class this semester, I looked forward to class every week and loved that we always had a collective, lively discussion about the readings!
    JB, 2012, Macquarie University

  • I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything this semester, you were by far one of the best tutors I have had (and I have had some awesome tutors). Your classes gave me so much inspiration to look outside the box, improved my writing, and gave me confidence in my choice to do anthropology.
    SM, 2012, Macquarie University

  • "...it gave me great satisfaction to come to the point of understanding this definition of Embodiment...I now feel such a rich appreciation for the word Embodiment."
    LG, 2012, Macquarie University

  • I just wanted to say thanks for being my tutor and making it more enjoyable than I would
    have thought.
    NKH, 2011, University of Melbourne

  • Thank you for being an excellent tutor this semester. I really enjoyed your classes and enthusiasm and it was one of the main reasons why I enjoyed the subject as much as I did.
    NA, 2011, University of Melbourne

  • Paul is really inspiring and has the ability to make everyone in the tute have a voice.
    anthropology student, 2011, University of Melbourne

  • Absolutely excellent, friendly, respectful tutor.
    anthropology student, 2011, University of Melbourne

  • Paul was so great and pushed us to learn and to engage with readings. Paul made sure we all engaged in the tute discussion.
    anthropology student, 2011, University of Melbourne

Sample Lecture

  • Undergraduate lecture on reciprocity:

Youtube part 1:

Youtube part 2:

Youtube part 3:

Prezi:

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