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Ms. Cathy Tischler

Research Fellow

Contact

Campus

Horsham Campus

Biography

Dr Cathy Tischler leads place-based rural research in Western Victoria. Her work explores the impact of rurality on economic development, services and opportunity. 

Cathy's research examines how geography, small markets and dispersed populations affect the delivery of services. It focuses on areas where markets fail to provide adequate services in rural settings and how regulation and change influence economic drivers and service provision. The work uses evidence to highlight the unique challenges faced by rural communities, aiming to reduce disadvantage and improve access to economic participation and social inclusion. 

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More about Cathy

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Regional Development & Social Justice), Federation University 
  • Bachelor of Public Policy & Management (Hons), Melbourne University 
  • Bachelor of Arts, Melbourne University 
  • Graduate Certificate in Social Science, RMIT University 
  • Graduate Certificate in Education, Federation University

Areas of interest

  • Regional development 
  • Public policy 
  • Rural advocacy and social justice 
  • Education and training 
  • Gender and women’s health 
  • Childcare

Grants

  • March 2024 – Agriculture Value Adding for Western Victoria (Wimmera) ($20,000)
  • January 2024 – Victorian Government Workforce Training & Innovation Fund (Research Partners – Wimmera Southern Mallee Development & Federation University TAFE] ($300,000)
  • October 2023 – Future Drought Fund – Community Impact Program – Small Business Resilience Supports (mapping) ($23,000)
  • 20 May 2022 – Rurality and Workforce Participation Exploring prevalence of part-time & insecure work in Grampians Public Service roles (Commission for Gender Equity in Public Service) ($60,000)
  • 30 April 2022 – Building a Climate Lens for Rural Health Service Promotion ($73,400)

Current

  • PhD student, Federation University, ‘Crossing Boundaries: The power and challenge of duality in rural health care workers to transform primary care’. 
  • Master's student, Federation University, ‘Peer mentoring in the transition from school to work or study in rural and regional areas’.

Past

  • PhD student, Federation University, ‘Rurality as a dimension of intersectionality – understanding the drivers of family violence and violence against women in a rural context'.  

Specialist roles

  • Gender Equity Network 
  • TAFE Infrastructure Renewal Program 

Professional association memberships

  • CORE Alliance – Women’s Health Grampians

  • Tischler, C & Reeves, K. (September 2025). Understanding the impacts of new developments (energy and mining) on farmers in the Wimmera Southern Mallee. Summary Report – Understanding the impacts of new developments on WSM Sept 2025 
  • Tischler, C, McDonald, K & Reeves, K. (October 2023). Impact of rates paid by renewable energy generators on Local Government revenue.  https://www.gnet.org.au/priority-projects 

Future Regions Research Centre (FRRC)

Cathy is part of the Future Regions Research Centre (FRRC), which aims to develop new knowledge and innovative solutions to the grand challenges facing our natural environments.