Personal profile
Research interests
Surfing and media have been my life’s work. My surfing career has taken me to highest level of international professional competition. My media career has exposed me to the worlds of newspaper, radio and television, but magazine publishing has dominated my attention for more than three decades.
Today, magazine publishing encompasses the dissemination of special interest content across multiple media channels, including print; the most challenged. My doctoral thesis, titled, The Nature of Generation Z’s Influence on the Future of Surf Magazines, investigated how special interest print magazines can remain relevant and in-demand in this digital age.
My current research interest is in subcultural studies, with a keen focus on the intersection of surf culture, surf business, and surf media, and how these interact with mainstream culture.
Most of my professional working life (35 years+) has been spent leading media companies that consist of diverse teams working on their respective media brands. Teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration, therefore, have been a constant in my career experience. The disruptive effect of digital media technologies on traditional media enterprises has also resulted in innovation, adaptability and resilience being a constant in my professional working life. These experiences feed into my current role as Assistant Professor and Deputy Convenor of 'Collaboration for Global Change', one of the three core subjects at Bond University. With a student cohort size of up to 400 students per semester, this subject addresses the very contemporary real-world needs of interdisciplinary collaborative problem-solving, the responsible and informed use of Gen-AI tools, and sustainability through the lens of the UN SDGs. This subject won the prestigious 2025 Green Gown Award in the category for Next Generation Learning and Skills. The judges declaring: "Overall, the program was recognised as a sector-leading innovation in sustainability education."
Other subjects I have taught include: Surf Industry Studies, Gold Coast Surf, Culture, and Storytelling, The Australian Media, Public Relations Principles and Practice, Critical Thinking and Communication, and, Collaboration Teams and Leadership.
Education/Academic qualification
Media, Doctor of Philosophy
Award Date: 4 Nov 2022
Sustainable development, TOW001: Transforming Our World: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals., Columbia University
Award Date: 1 Sept 2022
Economics and Industrial Sociology, Bachelor of Social Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Award Date: 1 Dec 1982
External positions
Managing Director, Aqualuna Media + Creative Pty Ltd
1 Aug 2016 → …
Publisher and General Manager, Morrison Media
1 Apr 2008 → 1 Aug 2016
Managing Director, Atoll Media Pty Ltd
1 Mar 1988 → 31 Dec 2007
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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In Praise of the Surf Photo
Sims, C. P., 1 Jan 2025, In: Tracks. 600, p. 17-18 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Magazine Article › Professional
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Subcultural Power Among Australian Board Sports: Industry Report # 1
Sims, C. P. & O'Brien, D., 22 Mar 2025, 21 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › Research
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Subcultural Power Among Australian Lifestyle Sports
Sims, C. P., O'Brien, D. & Hafenrichter, D., 2 Dec 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › Research › peer-review
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The functional differentiation of the printed surf magazine in the digital age of leisure reading
Sims, C. P., O'Brien, D., Gowthorp, L. & Scott, O., 25 Aug 2025, In: Leisure Studies. p. 1-19 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile47 Downloads (Pure) -
The Surf Industry
Sims, C. & O’brien, D., 1 Jan 2025, The Science and Culture of Surfing. Springer Nature, p. 223-239 17 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Research › peer-review
1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus)
Activities
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Subcultural Power among Australian Lifestyle Sports
Sims, C. (Speaker) & O'Brien, D. (Speaker)
13 Mar 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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Annie Hariharan - Why there’s a swell of middle-aged surfers in Australia
Furness, J. (Supervisor) & Sims, C. (Supervisor)
24 Jun 2024Activity: Professional Development, Mentorship, Supervision and Other Activities › Other
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Classroom 'Charrettes' to Integrate AI, SDGs & Interdisciplinary Communication
Brennan, D. (Speaker) & Sims, C. (Speaker)
12 Jun 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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Transformation CoLab (Organisational unit)
Sims, C. (Member)
25 Aug 2023 → 1 Dec 2023Activity: Membership › Internal memberships, committees, boards and panelists
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Waves of change: Trends shaping future challenges and opportunities for the surf industry
O'Brien, D. (Speaker) & Sims, C. (Speaker)
15 Aug 2023Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
Press/Media
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Shocking Figures Reveal Kelly Slater’s Generation Have Stolen Surfing From The Youth Of Australia
26/06/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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New Wave: How surfing has become stolen from the young and become middle aged
20/06/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Youth Participation in Surfing Plummets as Bombshell Study Reveals Average Surfer A 45-to-49 Year Old White CIS Male
20/06/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
Student theses
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The Nature of Gen-Z’s Influence on the Future of Printed Surf Magazines
Sims, C. (Author), O'Brien, D. (Supervisor), Gowthorp, L. (Supervisor) & Scott, O. (Supervisor), 2 Dec 2022Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis
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